You might be thinking, “Okay, but why am I worried about 12 milligrams of sodium?” Well, here’s the thing: the American Heart Association recommends staying under 2,300 milligrams a day, with an ideal limit of 1,500. So even a “high-sodium” seltzer is barely a blip on that radar. But if you’re someone who’s extremely salt-sensitive—like me after a weekend of pizza and movie popcorn—every little bit counts.
Soda Water Glass
Plus, there’s a sneaky psychological trick at play. We associate “sparkling” with “healthy,” but flavored seltzers can sometimes hide extra ingredients. For example, those “naturally flavored” sparkling waters (like LaCroix, Bubly, or Waterloo) are usually sodium-free—but always flip the can over. Some store-brand flavored seltzers might sneak in a tiny amount of sodium citrate as a preservative. It’s rare, but it happens.
The Great Taste Test Experiment
Let me share a little personal anecdote. I once hosted a blind taste test with three different store-bought seltzers. My friends didn’t know which was plain, which was club soda, and which was mineral water. You know what happened? Everyone preferred the club soda because the tiny bit of sodium actually enhanced the flavor. It made the bubbles feel “rounder” and less sharp. So if you’re not on a strict low-sodium diet, a little sodium might not be evil—it might just be a flavor upgrade.
But if you’re a purist? Stick with the plain seltzer. It’s like the introvert of the beverage world: unassuming, reliable, and never salty in a bad way (unless you add a lime wedge, in which case, go for it).
Formula For Seltzer Water at Nancy Hansen blog
