First, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room—or rather, the fizz in the bottle. A few years back, a study made headlines suggesting that certain drinks, when treated with a specific preservative, could form a cancer-linked compound called benzene. But here’s the kicker: that study wasn’t about plain sparkling water at all.
It was about flavored sodas containing both benzoate preservatives and added ascorbic acid (vitamin C). And even then, the amounts were tiny—like, you’d need to drink a bathtub’s worth every day for decades to see any risk. So unless you’re a professional bathtub-dweller, you’re probably fine!
The Real Science (Spoiler: It’s Boringly Safe)
Here’s the truth: carbonated water is just water with carbon dioxide gas dissolved into it. That’s it. Your body turns that CO2 into carbonic acid, which is so weak your stomach handles it in its sleep. The American Cancer Society and the FDA both agree: there is zero credible evidence linking plain sparkling water to cancer.
In fact, a massive 2026 review in the journal Nutrients concluded that carbonated water is safe, hydrating, and even helps some people drink more water overall. So go ahead, raise that glass—it’s a toast to good health, not a threat to it!
