Can Seltzer Water Cause Headaches? The Truth

Can Seltzer Water Cause Headaches?

Seltzer water, sometimes called fizzy water or carbonated water, is simply plain water infused with carbon dioxide bubbles. With growing popularity as a refreshing, zero-calorie alternative to sugary soft drinks, some people wonder if drinking seltzer can trigger unpleasant side effects like headaches.

For most healthy people, moderate consumption of seltzer water is harmless. However, in certain scenarios, it may contribute to headache development or exacerbate existing headaches in sensitive individuals.

How Seltzer Water Is Made

The process of making seltzer involves pressurizing and infusing water with carbon dioxide gas. This creates those iconic bubbles and effervescence when you crack open a can or pour a glass.

Seltzer made this way contains only two ingredients clean water and food-grade carbon dioxide. It provides hydration without any sugars, artificial sweeteners, or other additives you'd find in many sodas or flavored fizzy waters.

Common Causes of Headaches

Headaches arise from irritation or strain affecting structures in your head and neck. Some common culprits behind headache pain include:

• Dehydration
• Hunger or fasting
• Sinus congestion
• Poor posture
• Stress and tension
• Eyestrain
• Sleep deprivation
• Caffeine withdrawal
• Hormone fluctuations

Certain beverages and foods can also instigate headaches in sensitive people or make existing headaches feel more intense.

Can Seltzer Cause Headaches?

For most people, plain seltzer water does not directly cause headaches when consumed in moderation. However, some theories suggest carbonated water could contribute to headaches indirectly in certain scenarios.

Gas and Bloating

The bubbles in seltzer come from carbon dioxide gas dissolved under pressure. As you drink bubbly water, these gases are released. In some people, this can lead to gas, bloating, and gastrointestinal discomfort all of which may increase feelings of headache.

Those with chronic digestive issues like IBS seem most prone to gas and bloating from carbonated beverages. The discomfort stems from the unnatural buildup of gases in the gut.

Dehydration Worsening

While seltzer does provide hydration as a water-based drink, some researchers believe the carbon dioxide may indirectly have a diuretic effect. This could potentially cause faster water loss through increased urination.

If you drink seltzer instead of still water, the slightly increased dehydration could concentrate circulating blood components. For those already slightly dehydrated from exercise, illness, or hot weather, this concentration effect could worsen headaches.

Trigeminal Nerve Irritation

Your trigeminal nerve carries sensation from the face and head to the brain. Some experts speculate bubbles popping along the soft tissues of the mouth and throat may overstimulate this nerve.

In those predisposed to headaches and migraines, trigeminal nerve irritation is a known trigger. So could bubbly seltzer overexcite this nerve and lead to head pain in sensitive people?

More research is still needed, but its possible in theory especially if you guzzle seltzer fast. The trigeminal nerve connection might explain why cold carbonated drinks tend to cause quicker head pain than warm ones.

Other Factors

A few other factors tie seltzer water to headaches for some headache-prone individuals:

• Salivary pH - Carbonic acid formed by dissolved CO2 may temporarily lower pH levels in the mouth and irritate nerves.
• Caffeine Withdrawal - Replacing caffeinated sodas with seltzer may trigger withdrawal headaches.
• Osmotic Effects - Very high, rapid consumption of any liquid may alter electrolyte balance and blood flow.
• Cold Temperature - The coldness of freshly-opened chilled seltzer could potentially cause brain freeze-like headaches in those sensitive to cold stimuli.
• Nasal Congestion - Bubbly drinks may increase air swallowed from the mouth and actually worsen sinus pressure.

Identifying Seltzer-Induced Headaches

Most cases of seltzer-associated headaches are likely just due to indirect effects like gas, bloating, dehydration, or stimulated nerves. True allergic-like reactions to plain carbonated water itself are very rare.

Pay attention to timing and patterns of headaches when you drink bubbly beverages. If every time you consume seltzer, you develop head pain minutes to hours later, seltzer may be a direct headache trigger for you.

Headaches that seem correlated with bloating, belching, or fast guzzling of seltzer are more likely tied to indirect carbonation effects.

Tips to Prevent Seltzer-Related Headaches

If you experience frequent headaches when drinking seltzer water, try these preventive tips:

• Sip slowly instead of gulping fizzy water.
• Drink still water before and after seltzer to stay hydrated.
• Avoid very cold seltzer to prevent cold stimulus headaches.
• Reduce consumption if you have chronic digestive issues.
• Treat existing headaches, dehydration, and stuffy sinuses first.
• Consider taking probiotics to ease digestion of carbonation byproducts.

Paying attention to serving size and drinking habits can help limit gas, bloating, and other indirect triggers of carbonation-related headaches.

Who Should Avoid Seltzer Water?

Most healthy people do not need to avoid seltzer altogether. However, some higher risk groups may want to limit intake to avoid headaches and other symptoms:

• People with GI disorders - Those with IBS, GERD, gastritis, ulcers, etc. may experience worsened pain and discomfort from carbonated water consumption.
• Sensitive children - The bubbles, acidity, and gas can overwhelm kids still-developing digestive systems.
• Frequent migraine sufferers - Bubbles may activate trigeminal nerve pain pathways.
• Those prone to calcium oxalate kidney stones - Seltzer could potentially increase stone risk in susceptible people.
• People with chronic headaches or chronic dehydration issues - For whom carbonation effects could compound problems.

Anyone experiencing frequent or severe headaches, bloating, or GI distress after drinking seltzer water should consider reducing intake or avoiding it.

The Bottom Line

For most consumers, moderate consumption of basic seltzer water is safe and should not directly trigger headaches. However, some sensitive individuals may experience head pain due to carbonation effects leading to gas, bloating, thirst, or nerve irritation.

Pay attention to your personal tolerance levels. If you consistently develop headaches when drinking carbonated waters, try tweaking serving sizes, drinking pace, or consider avoiding seltzer altogether to control symptoms.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.