Seltzer boom is upon us. It’s happened. The sales of sparkling waters and seltzers (including alcohol-based ones) have risen dramatically since the beginning of 2018 , and are showing no signs of slowing down. Read Lacroix Nutrition Facts here!
If you are drinking case after case of LaCroix made of lime or coconut–only to have a person or Instagram DM question the quality of your drink–you may be thinking: Is LaCroix harmful to your health?
Let’s take a look at the science behind it and what’s actually inside the bottle of La Croix.
What’s the reason behind your LaCroix obsession isn’t so healthy
Lacroix Nutrition Facts
Let’s be simple: LaCroix is absolutely healthier than sodas or sugar-sweetened drinks such as lemonade and iced tea. Actually it was the Scientific Report of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee released in July 2020 found that show that 70 percent of the added sugars are derived from five food groups, one of which is, yes sweetened beverages.
The report of the committee highlighted the fact that “adverse effects of added sugar, particularly from sugar-sweetened beverages, may contribute to unhealthy weight gain and obesity-related outcomes.” The committee suggested reducing the amount of sugar added in the diet from the current recommended amount of 10% of total calories to 6 percent the calories. (For example, reducing 200 calories to 120 calories in a 2,000-calorie diet.)
Based on the LaCroix website the website states that there aren’t any sugars, sweeteners or artificial ingredients found in their drinks. This makes it an all-sugar drink. It’s a great option if you’re looking to replace your sugar-sweetened soda or beverage to limit the use of sugar.
(The same is true to any sparkling drink that isn’t laced with any type of sweetener added.) If you’re wondering whether LaCroix is harmful for your health and you’re having to choose between it and drinks or juices, definitely go with the sparkling water.
In addition, LaCroix and other sparkling water sources are a huge part of your daily water intake. keeping hydrated is one of the healthiest ways to take care of yourself, as per Taylor C.
Wallace, Ph.D., C.F.S, F.A.C.N., CEO at Think Healthy Group, certified food scientist as well as a professor at the Department of food and nutrition study within George Mason University. In fact, a report published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition discovered that sparkling as well as still water had the same amount of water.
Also, read Kraft Mac And Cheese Nutrition Facts
LaCroix’s Natural Flavoring
The ingredients on the LaCroix page reads: “only carbonated water, naturally essenced (non-GMO).” LaCroix’s website explains that LaCroix website further explains their natural flavors come from the natural essence oils that are extracted from the specific fruit that is used in all flavor of LaCroix flavors. That is these “natural flavors” added come from the natural oils found in mangoes, apricots and tangerines and all other flavors of LaCroix.
There’s also no way of knowing 100% of the ingredients created by every flavor of LaCroix as the complete ingredient list isn’t available.
The definition of “natural flavor” or “natural flavoring” is defined as a substance which “contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional,” according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There are plenty of options for what they can utilize to flavor drinks.
Some folks may be concerned that the intense flavors in LaCroix can make you crave the product and expect flavor of a similar magnitude every time you grab a drink–meaning, after drinking tons of those Pamplemousse-flavored bubbly waters, it might seem that normal water just won’t cut it anymore. It’s a valid worry.
However , according the research of Wallace, “there is no scientific evidence whatsoever to suggest that natural or artificial flavors make you crave more, like when your sugar rush subsides.” If you are getting increasingly unhappy with the natural tastes of fresh fruit or water that you drink regularly you might consider reviewing your intake of beverages with a flavor such as LaCroix and re-evaluating your hydration routines.
What’s the deal with carbonation?
Certain studies suggest that carbonated beverages can cause enamel to break down. But, as per the American Dental Association (ADA) sparkling water generally is good for teeth. A study that examined the effects of regular drinking sparkling and regular water on enamel of teeth found that both have the same effect according to the ADA.
A bit of backgroundinformation: Dental erosion often seen when you live in an the acidic (lower pH) conditions. It’s true that carbonated drinking water is slightly acidic than normal water, however it has higher (read safe) pH than many sweet drinks.
In a report released in 2016 about the pH of drinks within the U.S., the ADA found that bottled water as well as the municipal source of water had pHs ranging from 5 and 7 and Perrier carbonated mineral waters was found to have an acidity of 5.25–all declared to be minimally erosive to enamel (they didn’t test specifically LaCroix). It’s in comparison to juices and sodas, most of which have pH levels of between 2 to 3. (much less acidic than carbonated waters) and are classified as extremely or damaging. (See: ACV Might Be ruining your teeth)
However that, if the sparkling water you drink is citrus-flavored the water could be more acidic and can increase the chance of damaging the enamel. However that, the ADA insists that it’s “far better for your teeth than sugary drinks.” They suggest that if you would like to have sparkling beverages with citrus flavor, drink it in one go or in conjunction with meals, that you don’t drink all day long and exposing your teeth repeatedly to the more acidic levels it has.
What is the relationship between carbonation and weight growth? A study released in Obesity Research and Clinical Practice found that rats drinking carbonated drinks consumed more and gained weight over the course of six months over those who consumed flat drink or regular water.
They also had higher levels of the hormone that increases appetite, Ghrelin, which causes your body’s appetite to increase food, which is the cause of the weight increase. The same research also report that in a separate study of 20 healthy men, levels of ghrelin hormone higher after drinking carbonated beverages in comparison to the control group.
However, they claim that the connection between ghrelin levels and the intake of food in addition to weight gain, is a complex one as well (like many other things in the world of science) there’s a lot we aren’t aware of.
Conversely, sparkling water could aid in weight loss as studies have shown that carbon dioxide helps reduce appetite through the sensation of feeling full. In this regard it’s crucial to remember that drinking carbonated drinks can cause bloating, because they can trigger gas to build up within your digestive tract as Mike Roussell, Ph.D. previously published in Shape.
At the moment, there isn’t enough evidence to form an informed decision about whether sparkling water can result in weight gain or reduction, however it could definitely help to replace sugar-sweetened drinks in your diet.
How about BPA?
BPA (bisphenol-A) can be described as an organic compound that is that is found in a variety of plastics, for instance, in water bottles and food containers , as well as in the inside of cans.
BPA-based plastics can be used to line cans of food and drinks to guard against contamination by metal however, these endocrine disruptors can cause many health issues by themselves, especially since studies suggest that BPA can be absorbed from packaging into food and beverages. BPA is believed to be like estrogen, and could cause disruption to the functions of various hormones within the body and could negatively affect the brain.
However, the research regarding the risks of BPA is not conclusive. In November of 2014 the FDA conducted a safety review of BPA and found that the levels that are currently present in canned and food items are completely safe. However, California is a state in California is an example, and has BPA as part of the Proposition 65 list of toxic chemicals “known to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm.”
The good news is that there’s no need to be concerned over BPA within your beverage LaCroix any longer. According to their website in April 2019, as of April 2019 all the beverages they sell are being produced in cans with no BPA liner. If you’re drinking other brands of seltzers and sparkling water, it could be worthwhile to double-check the condition on their containers (or choosing glass) in case you’re worried about BPA.
The Bottom Line
Does LaCroix harm you? It is definitely a included in your healthy diet and, when compared to other drinks, it comes out fairly healthy.
In terms of how much of LaCroix is excessive? It’s not a simple black and white decision of either bad or great–you need to look at your lifestyle and drinking habits in general. If you decide to drink LaCroix It’s most likely to be beneficial to limit yourself to two or three cans per day. Because, when you’re in doubt it’s best to keep things in moderation. is always a wise decision.
