Carbonated water is not only a workplace treat today, but it’s slowly becoming a staple for organizations across industries. Why? Because the majority of workers don’t drink enough water throughout the day, and a midday soda with tons of added sugar only makes dehydration and fatigue worse.
Luckily, the right fizzy water can be a refreshing and bubbly alternative to plain water and encourage greater water intake in your employees. Read on to learn everything you need to know about seltzer water and other related carbonated beverages you might consider offering to your employees, guests, and customers.
Everything You Need To Know About Seltzer Water
Before exploring the benefits of carbonated beverages and the potential pitfalls of relying on bottled or canned options, let’s get to know seltzer water a little better. So, what exactly is seltzer water? And how is it distinct from other fizzy water options? Simply put, seltzer water is plain water that’s been infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. If you’ve heard the terms carbonated water or sparkling water before, you’ll be glad to know that these terms are essentially synonymous.
On the other hand, common bubbly water terms you might know as club soda or tonic water are a bit different. Club soda uses pressurized carbon dioxide gas to add carbonation, similar to seltzer water. However, it has the addition of potassium bicarbonate and potassium sulfate in the water — giving this drink a slightly saltier taste. Tonic water is distinct because it incorporates quinine, which means it may contain sugar and can lead to an unnecessary increase in calorie consumption.
Is Seltzer Water as Hydrating as Regular Water?
Great news for seltzer lovers, the New York Times reports that nutritionists believe carbonated water is as equally hydrating as plain water. Because these beverages are made with the same base ingredient as regular water and positively contribute to daily water intake, bubbly drinks are becoming increasingly popular in workplaces as a way to drive hydration.
The Problem With Canned and Bottled Carbonated Drinks
The idea of driving water intake at work with delicious carbonated beverage options may be exciting, but if your workplace is planning to opt for canned or bottled seltzer water, there are a few potential issues to keep in mind.
The main issue here isn’t the plain or flavored seltzer water itself, but the primary packaging it comes in. According to research, both plastic bottles and the inner coating of beverage cans contain the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA), which can lurk in drinking water and negatively affect long-term health. Today, BPA exposure is ubiquitous in a variety of sources (e.g., water, food, and consumer products) and has emerged as a major public health concern. In fact, the JAMA Network reports that BPA is detectable in more than 90% of urine samples in the general U.S. population.
Long-term exposure to this chemical can lead to health consequences such as:
- Increased blood pressure
- Disrupted endocrine function
- Induced cardiac arrhythmias
- Accelerated atherosclerosis
- Higher risk of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease
Fortunately, bottles and cans aren’t the only way to give your employees, guests, and customers access to delicious sparkling water in their favorite flavor! Read on to learn more about why organizations are choosing bottleless drinking water solutions instead.
Making the Switch to a Bottleless Sparkling Dispenser
For the same delectable bubbles that make workplace hydration just a little more exciting — without the health risks of BPA exposure from primary packaging — teams are making the switch to bottleless sparkling water dispensers. Carbonated water from a bottleless cooler eliminates the use of plastic bottles and aluminum cans altogether while boosting workplace hydration.
An improvement in water intake at work can lead to several benefits for both the well-being of your employees and your overall business results, including:
- Increasing energy levels
- Reducing fatigue and headaches
- Enhancing cognitive function and focus
- Increasing feelings of happiness
- Boosting productivity and efficiency
Discover the Bottleless Cooler That’s the Right Fit for Your Workplace
When your organization is ready to take tap water to the next level with sparkling water systems, Quench® can help. Quench offers water-as-a-service solutions by providing filtered tap water through a wide range of bottleless machines.
Discover our suite of sparkling water dispensers, including plain sparkling water machines and our Bevi machine, which offers flavored sparkling water on demand. Or, workplaces can promote hydration even further with a combined still and sparkling water machine — equipping organizations with an endless supply of either option. Utilizing just one bottleless sparkling water dispenser from Quench can help your business:
- Drive workplace hydration
- Save 7,000+ single-use plastic bottles from the landfill each year
- Keep employees away from drinks with added sugar
With our depth of options, national reach, and consistently high level of service, our water services are designed to give your workplace the unique water solutions it needs. Try our product finder to discover the machine that’s right for your workplace needs, or get a free quote to get started.
