Answer: No.
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Is Sparkling Ice Vegan?
It is a no-brainer that nothing can beat plain, simple water – when it comes to quenching your thirst. Having said that, water can be boring at times. So, we turn to the sparkling alternatives, which are refreshing indeed. Have you ever wondered if sparkling ice is vegan?
Well, the simple answer is no, it isn’t. Sparkling Ice contains traces of lanolin in the vitamin blend extracted from sheep’s wool.
While we have answered the question in short above, we’ll teach you all about Sparkling Ice – its origin, ingredients, flavors, health quotient, teeth, and gut effect. Read on to know in detail!
What Is Sparkling Ice?
Sparkling Ice is a zero-calorie, lightly carbonated, and sweetened spring water. It is flavored naturally and packs in a good number of vitamins and traces of antioxidants. Sucralose is the key sweetening agent for this calorie-less beverage.
So, nothing is wrong with the ingredients there! It is just that one additive (vitamin D3) that makes it unqualified for the vegan diet.
Sparkling Ice is available commercially in 16 fuzzy, fruity flavors. The list includes:
- Pink Grapefruit
- Kiwi Strawberry
- Black Raspberry
- Coconut Pineapple
- Lemon-Lime
- Orange Mango
- Grape Raspberry
- Pomegranate Blueberry
- Cherry Limeade
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Classic Lemonade
- Black Cherry
- Peach Nectarine
- Crisp Apple
- Strawberry Watermelon
Origin of Sparkling Ice
It all started with the Talking Rain – a brand that was founded in 1987. They initiated their presence in the sparkling water industry by launching two variants of their own unique kind of sparkling beverage.
Five years down the lane, the company started to mass-produce Sparkling Ice, and that’s how it came into existence.
In 1997, the brand changed the sweetening agent to sucralose, becoming the first-ever US beverage company.
As of 2021, we now have 16 distinct fruity flavors to choose from!
Sparkling Ice Is Acidic
Carbonic acid is formed when carbon dioxide gas and water chemically react simultaneously- a weak acid that activates the same nerve receptors in the mouth as mustard.
This causes a burning, prickly feeling that can be both irritating and pleasurable to your body.
Sparkling Ice has a pH value of somewhere between 3–4, indicating that it is mildly acidic.
However, drinking an acidic carbonated beverage, such as sparkling Ice, does not increase the body’s acidity level.
Excess carbon dioxide is removed by the kidneys and lungs. Regardless of what you eat or drink, this preserves the blood at a mildly alkaline pH range of 7.35–7.45.
Is Sparkling Ice Good for Your Health?
We already know that sparkling Ice is not suited for vegans, but what about the non-vegans out there? Should you consider sparkling Ice as a healthy portion of your diet? The answer is no.
According to the Wall Street Journal, despite marketing itself as a good-for-you substitute, sparkling Ice is not at all healthy. So, what is the issue?
One of the main ingredients is sucralose – which, just like Splenda, has been infamously related to rising appetite by messing with hormones in the brain that tell you when you are full. The study reveals that it is worse than sugar, eventually killing the good bacteria in your gut.
On the contrary, more and more people turn to Sparkling Ice to replace diet soda, unaware that their favorite replacement treat is toxic. According to the Wall Street Journal, while Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi sales have declined, sales of sparkling Ice have increased to $746 million in 2019.
Well, the good news is: There are some healthy alternatives to Sparkling Ice, free from sucralose. Some of them are even vegan-friendly!
You don’t need to kill your habit of sparkling beverages – all you need to do is a tad bit of research on it, that’s all.
Health Benefits of Unsweetened Sparkling Water
If you find it difficult to drink plain water, sparkling variants can be a suitable substitute. It is more hydrating and has much fewer calories than soda. That extra hydration has a few notable health advantages.
Easy Weight Management
Staying hydrated is essential for weight loss. If you are starving, it’s possible because you’re dehydrated, and your body can’t tell the difference. Drinking enough water will make you stay fuller for more extended periods and eat fewer calories during the day.
Enhanced Digestion
According to research, sparkling water can help with digestion. Drinking sparkling water eased indigestion and constipation, according to one study of 21 participants.
Keep Hydration Levels in Check
Sparkling water has the same hydrating effect as regular water. It can help you to stave off dehydration. Dehydration can cause dry mouth, nausea, and headaches. Chronic dehydration can lead to digestive problems as well as heart and kidney complications.
However, not all sparkling waters are created equal. Any sparkling water product that has added sugars or chemical sweeteners is to be avoided. So it is imperative to read the nutrition label before buying a sparkling water drink.
Nutrition Information
One 8-ounce serving of ideal sparkling water must contain the following:
- Calories: 0 grams
- Fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 50-55 mg
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Sugar: 0 g
Potential Risks of Consuming Sparkling Ice
Toxic additives in Sparkling Ice include maltodextrin, food coloring, and an artificial sweetener. Maltodextrin is responsible for weight gain, allergic reactions, and bloating, whereas food coloring has been attributed to hyperactivity disorders.
Artificial sweeteners are appealing because they do not affect blood sugar instantly or contain calories; however, they have some adverse side effects.
Sucralose, also known as Splenda, is the chemical sweetener found in Sparkling Ice drinks. It contains chlorine, a toxic substance that cannot be consumed. Chlorine is not harmful in minimal doses, and the kidneys, bowels, and liver will wash it out of the body.
Regular consumption, on the other hand, may have serious effects, such as cancer. Sucralose has been attributed to blurred vision, GI tract issues, leaky gut, asthma, blood sugar surges, elevated appetite, and weight gain.
Although carbonated spring water is one of the least toxic ingredients in Sparkling Ice, it may wreak havoc on a plethora of pre-existing GI issues, including aggravation of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), heartburn, and irritation of existing stomach ulcers.
In addition to inducing pain in others who still have GI issues, it will irritate the digestive tracts of others. Since the body does not consume enough water to rehydrate, Sparkling Ice is not a good beverage for replenishing electrolytes post workouts.
Does Sparkling Water Affect Your Dental Health?
According to a study, the combination of sugar and carbonation can cause severe dental decay. Pure sparkling water, on the other hand, seems to pose no danger to dental health. So, it is only the sugary varieties that are unhealthy.
If you are concerned about your dental hygiene, consider rinsing your mouth with clear tap water afterward.
Wrapping Up
As the additives and side effects of Sparkling Ice are considered, the result is a beverage that is no different from diet Pepsi or a Coke! Do you still want to ask if Sparkling Ice is vegan?
Sipping on Sparkling Ice as a treat once in a while, rather than rehydrating after every workout session, is less likely to affect the body. Consuming it daily can hurt your health, particularly if you have problems with digestion.