Seltzer is booming. It’s happened. Sales of sparkling water and seltzers (including ones that are alcoholic) have risen dramatically since the beginning of the year 2018 and have shown no sign of slowing down. Read more La Croix Nutrition Facts!
If you are drinking case after case LaCroix made of lime or coconut–only to have a person or Instagram DM question the healthfulness of the beverage, you might be wonderingif LaCroix harmful to your health?
Here’s a look into the science behind what’s inside the bottle of La Croix.
La Croix Nutrition Label Chart
Serving Size- 1 Can
- Fat: 0 mg
- Calories: 0
- Carbohydrates: 0mg
- Sodium: 0mg
- Protein: 0g
La Croix Nutrition Facts Explained
- It is Gruten free.
- It hydrates body.
- It does not contain any added flavors hence, it is more healthy than other soft drinks.
- La Croix is filled with minerals like calcium and magnesium.
- Provides relief from bloating and other gasteric issues.
- It helps to improve blood circulation.
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LaCroix is vs. Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and other La Croix Nutrition Facts
Let’s be simple: LaCroix is absolutely healthier than soda and sugar-sweetened drinks such as lemonade and iced tea. Actually it was the Scientific Report of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee released in July of 2020 revealed that show that 70 percent of sugars added to drinks come from five food categories, with one of them being, yes sweetened drinks.
The report highlighted it was important to note that “adverse effects of added sugar, particularly from sugar-sweetened beverages, may contribute to unhealthy weight gain and obesity-related outcomes.” The committee recommended reducing amount of sugar added to the diet, from the current recommendation of 10% of total calories to 6 percent the calories. (For example, reducing 200 calories to 120 calories in a 2,000-calorie diet.)
Also, read Pretzels Nutrition Facts
Based on the LaCroix website the website states that there aren’t any sweeteners, sugars, or artificial ingredients in their drinks. Therefore, it’s an all-sugar drink. It’s a delicious option if you’re looking to switch out your sugar-sweetened soda or beverage to limit the use of sugar. (The same is true for sparkling beverage which doesn’t contain any type of sweetener added.) If you’re thinking whether LaCroix is harmful to your health and you’re having to choose between it and drinks or sodas, definitely go with the sparkling water.
In addition, LaCroix and other sparkling waters are all counted towards your water intake throughout the day. keeping hydrated is one of the most healthy ways to take care of your body, says Taylor C. Wallace, Ph.D., C.F.S, F.A.C.N., CEO at Think Healthy Group, certified food scientist Professor in the department of food and nutrition study within George Mason University. Indeed, a 2015 research study that was published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that sparkling as well as still water provided approximately the same amount of hydration.
LaCroix’s Natural Flavoring
The ingredients on the LaCroix website reads: “only carbonated water, naturally essenced (non-GMO).” According to the LaCroix website further explains the natural flavors of their products are derived from essence oils that are taken from the fruits used in each flavor of LaCroix flavors. Also those “natural flavors” added come from the oils that are naturally present in mango, apricots, tangerines and the various other flavors of LaCroix.
However, there’s no way to determine 100% of the ingredients created by every flavor of LaCroix because the exact ingredient list isn’t available. The definition of “natural flavor” or “natural flavoring” is defined as a substance made from ingredients that “contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional,” according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Therefore, there are plenty of options of what they can use to flavor drinks.
Some folks may be concerned that the intense flavors in LaCroix can make you crave the product and expect flavor of a similar magnitude every time you grab a drink–meaning, after drinking tons of those Pamplemousse-flavored bubbly waters, it might seem that normal water just won’t cut it anymore. It’s a legitimate issue. But according the research of Wallace, “there is no scientific evidence whatsoever to suggest that natural or artificial flavors make you crave more, like when your sugar rush subsides.” If you find yourself getting increasingly unhappy with the natural flavor of fresh fruits or water, it could be worth examining the consumption of beverages with flavors such as LaCroix and re-evaluating your drinking practices.
What About the Carbonation?
Certain studies suggest that carbonated drinks may cause enamel to break down. However, as per the American Dental Association (ADA) sparkling water generally is safe for teeth. A study looking at the effects of regular water as well as sparkling water on enamel of teeth found that both have the same effect according to the ADA.
A little backgroundinformation: Dental erosion often seen within the acidic (lower pH) conditions. Carbonated water is slightly acidic than normal water, but it has an elevated (read safe) pH than many drinks that contain sugar. In a report from 2016 on the pH of drinks within the U.S., the ADA stated that bottled water and the municipal source of water had pHs ranging from 5 and 7 and Perrier Carbonated Mineral Water has an acidity of 5.25–all declared to be minimally erosive to enamel (they did not test LaCroix in particular). This is in contrast to juices and sodas some of which had pH levels of between 2 to three (much less acidic than carbonated waters) and are classified as extremely or destructive. (See: ACV Might Be Ruining Your Teeth)
However that, if the sparkling water has a citrus flavor the water could be more acidic and can increase the chance of causing damage to the enamel. However that, the ADA insists that it’s “far better for your teeth than sugary drinks.” They advise that if are planning to drink sparkling beverages with citrus flavor, drink it in one go or in conjunction with meals, that you don’t consume all day long and exposing your teeth over and repeatedly to the higher amounts of acid it has.
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What is the relationship between carbonation and weight increase? A study that was published by the journal Obesity Research and Clinical Practice found that rats drinking carbonated drinks consumed more and gained weight more over the course of a 6-month period as compared to those who drank plain beverages or water plain.
They also had higher levels of the hormone that stimulates appetite called Ghrelin, which causes the body’s appetite to increase food, which is the cause of the weight growth. The same research found that in a separate study conducted on healthy males, the levels of the hormone ghrelin were higher after drinking carbonated beverages in comparison to the control group. Researchers believe that the link between ghrelin levels and eating habits as well as weight loss is a complex one as well (like many other things in the world of science) there’s much we do not know.
In addition, sparkling water can help in losing weight according to research that shows carbon dioxide helps to reduce appetite by increasing the sensation of feeling full. On that note it is important to note that drinking carbonated drinks can cause bloating as they can trigger gas accumulation within your digestive tract according to Mike Roussell, Ph.D. previously published in Shape.
There isn’t enough evidence to form an accurate conclusion about whether sparkling water could cause weight gain or reduction, however it could definitely be a good substitute for sugar-sweetened drinks in your diet.
How About BPA?
BPA (bisphenol-A) BPA (bisphenol-A) is an organic compound that is used in a wide range of plastics for instance, in water bottles, food containers and in the lines of cans. BPA-based plastics are used line cans of food and drinks to guard against contamination by metal however, these endocrine disruptors can cause many health issues in their own right, particularly since some studies suggest that BPA can be absorbed from packaging into drinks and food items. BPA is believed to be similar to estrogen and could be able to interfere with the functioning of the other hormones that are present in the body and could negatively affect the brain.
The research regarding the risks of BPA is not conclusive. In November of 2014 the FDA conducted a safety review of BPA and found that the levels that are currently present in canned and food items are completely safe. While states like California for instance, contains BPA on their Proposition 65 list of toxic chemicals “known to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm.”
The good news is that there’s no need to be concerned over BPA within your beverage LaCroix beverage anymore. According to their website since April of 2019, all their drinks are now made in cans with no BPA liner. If you’re drinking other brands of seltzers and sparkling water, it could be worthwhile to double-check the condition on their containers (or selecting glass) in case you’re worried about BPA.
The Bottom Line
What is the harm of LaCroix to you? It is definitely a included in your diet plan for health as well as, when compared to other drinks, it comes out fairly healthy.
However, how much is too excessive? There’s no black and white decision of either bad or good, but you should look at your eating habits and drink habits in general. If you decide to drink LaCroix it’s most likely to be beneficial to drink one or two cans per day. Because, when you’re in doubt it’s best to keep things in moderation. is always a good idea.
