National Harbor, Md. (July 26, 2026) — Findings from a new study comparing the effects of different beverages on mouth acidity suggest that unsweetened sparkling water may be better for your teeth than sugar-sweetened soda.
When the mouth’s pH drops below about 5.5, acids begin to dissolve tooth enamel. The new study looked beyond beverage acidity itself and showed that although sparkling water lowers the mouth’s pH, it does so less than soda.
“Many people are switching from soda to sparkling water, and our findings suggest that unsweetened sparkling water may be a lower-risk alternative to soda, when consumed in moderation and alongside good oral hygiene practices,” said Wajiha Zulfiqar, a graduate student in Nutrition Science at Purdue University.
Zulfiqar will present the findings at NUTRITION 2026 , the flagship annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, held July 25–28 in National Harbor, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C.
Although studies have shown that sugar-sweetened soda can contribute to dental erosion by lowering the pH in the mouth below 5.5, less is known about how unsweetened sparkling waters affect oral acidity.
To find out more, the researchers measured how sugar-sweetened soda, regular sparkling water, calcium-fortified sparkling water and plain water affected mouth acidity — or salivary pH — in 20 adults. They used the same study participants for all the beverages to help minimize differences between individuals that could affect results.
“Directly comparing different beverages using the same experimental framework allowed us to evaluate the effects of sparkling water relative to both soda — a higher-risk beverage — and plain water as a neutral reference,” said Zulfiqar. “Additionally, by measuring how the mouth responded in real time, rather than only testing beverage acidity alone as other studies have done, our study provides a more realistic understanding of how these drinks may impact oral health.”
The researchers found that the soda made the mouth the most acidic, leading to a salivary pH that was significantly lower than that of water at both 2 and 20 minutes after consumption. Unsweetened sparkling water without calcium caused a temporary decrease in salivary pH at 2 minutes, whereas calcium-fortified sparkling water showed a decrease at 5 minutes. For both beverages, salivary pH returned to near baseline levels by 20 minutes.
They also found that, after consuming both the soda and the sparkling waters, saliva quickly restored the mouth’s acidity to normal, keeping pH above the level that causes enamel damage. The researchers note that the study only measured short-term changes in salivary pH. In real life, the potential for enamel damage depends on factors such as the frequency of consumption, duration of exposure and sugar content.
“Our results suggest that replacing sugar-sweetened sodas with unsweetened sparkling water may help lower the risk of enamel erosion,” said Zulfiqar. “The results also highlight an opportunity for the beverage industry to explore reformulation strategies that could potentially reduce the erosive potential of acidic beverages.”
Next, the researchers plan to test how sparkling water influences oral health over the long term, which will help reveal whether it changes other aspects of the mouth environment that are important to good oral health.
Zulfiqar will present this research at 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. EDT on Sunday, July 26, during the Clinical Nutrition II Poster Session in the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center ( abstract ; presentation details ).
This release may include updated numbers or data that differ from those in the submitted abstract.
Please note that abstracts presented at NUTRITION 2026 were evaluated and selected by a committee of experts but have not generally undergone the same peer review process required for publication in a scientific journal. As such, the findings presented should be considered preliminary until a peer-reviewed publication is available.
About NUTRITION 2026
NUTRITION 2026 is the flagship meeting of the American Society for Nutrition and the premier educational event for nutritional professionals around the globe. NUTRITION brings together lab scientists, practicing clinicians, population health researchers and community intervention investigators to identify solutions to today’s greatest nutrition challenges. The meeting also attracts rising leaders in the field, including undergraduate, graduate and medical students. NUTRITION 2026 will be held July 25–28 in National Harbor, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. https://nutrition.org/meeting/ #Nutrition2026
About the American Society for Nutrition (ASN)
ASN is the preeminent professional organization for nutrition research scientists and clinicians around the world. Founded in 1928, the society brings together the top nutrition researchers, medical practitioners, policy makers and industry leaders to advance knowledge and application of nutrition. ASN publishes four peer-reviewed journals and provides education and professional development opportunities to advance nutrition research, practice, and education. Since 2018, the American Society for Nutrition has presented NUTRITION, the leading global annual meeting for nutrition professionals. http://www.nutrition.org
Find more news briefs from NUTRITION 2026 at: https://www.eurekalert.org/newsroom/nutrition2026 .
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