Can sparkling water contribute to constipation?

by Lila
(Highlands, Scotland.)

I was wondering, can sparkling water contribute to constipation?

My toddler is 2 years old and she has always been constipated. She only relieves her bowel every 3-4 days.


I know she doesn't drink enough water, and I do try to remind her to drink as often as I can, but it's not easy.


Also, she loves sparkling water which is always available in our house. Would this contribute to her constipation?


Many thanks. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Lila

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Hi Lila,

I am not aware of any particular reason why plain sparkling water would cause constipation. In fact, some people seem to think it may even aid in relieving constipation for some individuals.


There are other reasons apart from the constipation concern to limit the amount of sparkling water that your toddler drinks.


The main reason is that too much carbonated water can lead to long term tooth decay because of the acidity eating at the enamel of her baby teeth.


Does she like yogurt? You can try giving her a "treat" of organic yogurt each day as a snack. The beneficial bacteria found in unsweetened organic yogurt may be enough to help regulate her bowels.


Another option is to sprinkle a tablespoon Salba grain/seed on her cereal or mixed in a meal each day. Salba (also known as Chia) is full of Omega oils that help promote bowel movements naturally.


It shouldn't be too difficult to get her to eat the Salba because it doesn't have any flavor. You can mix it with almost anything.


Every person is a little bit different. There are several "usual" remedies that work for constipation, but not everything works for everyone.


I hope one of these suggestions will be helpful to you.


Blessings,
Angie