Randomised controlled trialindependent cross-checkabstract only checked I-SOD-02 standard review
Sparkling water for indigestion
Effects of carbonated water on functional dyspepsia and constipation.
Overview
Cuomo R et al.. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2002 · PMID 12352219 · DOI 10.1097/00042737-200209000-00010
In a small trial, sparkling water improved indigestion and constipation compared with tap water.
Does the study support the specific claim? No · Methodological quality: low
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Effect of carbonated water in functional dyspepsia and constipation.
- How was the study done?
Double-blind randomized trial, ~15 days.
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
21 (10 carbonated, 11 tap water); Patients with dyspepsia and secondary constipation
- What was actually found?
Dyspepsia score 7.9 -> 5.4 with carbonated water (unchanged with tap water); constipation score 16.0 -> 12.1; satiety reduced; gallbladder emptying improved.
- How large was the observed effect?
Dyspepsia score 7.9 -> 5.4
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Plain sparkling water is not shown to harm digestion.
- What are the study's limitations?
Very small; Short; Within-group analyses
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
High.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
General benefit.
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Cuomo R et al.
- Journal
- Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol
- Year
- 2002
- Identifier
- PMID 12352219 DOI 10.1097/00042737-200209000-00010
- Verification
- verified – PubMed efetch 2026-10-25
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
Not stated
2. Research question
Effect of carbonated water in functional dyspepsia and constipation.
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Randomised controlled trial – Double-blind randomized trial, ~15 days.
- Population
Patients with dyspepsia and secondary constipation
- Country
Italy (authors)
- Period
not stated in abstract
- Sample size
21 (10 carbonated, 11 tap water)
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
not stated in abstract
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Carbonated water
- Comparator
Tap water
- Endpoints
Dyspepsia and constipation scores, satiety, gastric/gallbladder emptying, colonic transit
- Statistical methods
Before-after within groups
5. Actual results
- Results
Dyspepsia score 7.9 -> 5.4 with carbonated water (unchanged with tap water); constipation score 16.0 -> 12.1; satiety reduced; gallbladder emptying improved.
- Absolute risks
not applicable
- Authors' conclusion
Carbonated water decreases satiety and improves dyspepsia, constipation and gallbladder emptying in these patients.
6. Strengths
- Double-blind randomized
7. Weaknesses
- Very small
- Short
- Within-group analyses
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- RoB 2
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- some concerns
- Rationale
Small; analysis approach.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
Low precision.
10. Relevance to the specific claim
Contradicts C-SOD-12, C-SOD-14.
11. Independent contrary findings
None.
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
High.
13. Overall methodological judgement
Small trial; plausible benefit.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | low |
| Risk of bias | some concerns |
| Precision of results | low |
| Directness | direct |
| Reproducibility | not replicated |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | unknown |
| Regional transferability | high |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
Replication.
15. Linked fact checks
- Soft drinks wreck digestion, trigger reflux and heartburn, disturb the stomach's acidity, and (Pepsi) are among the main causes of gastritis and ulcers. – Studies contradicting or limiting the claim
- All carbonated waters of every kind (including unsweetened sparkling water) are harmful and must be avoided. – Studies contradicting or limiting the claim