This sparkling water may be worse for you than diet soda

First the news drops that sipping seltzer destroys your teeth and now this? The Wall Street Journalreported that despite Sparking Ice branding itself as a good-for-you soda alternative, it isn’t actually healthy at all.

The problem? Sucralose is one of the primary ingredients. Just like Splenda—which health experts like Frank Lipman, MD, says is worse for you than sugar—sucralose has been linked to increasing appetite by interfering with hormones in the brain that tell you you’re full. It also can kill the good bacteria in your gut.

What’s really unfortunate is that many people are turning to Sparkling Ice to quit diet soda, not knowing that their new substitute drink is unhealthy. The Wall Street Journal reports that as sales for Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi have dropped, sales for Sparkling Ice surged to $636 million in 2015.

The goods news: Not every sparkling water is laced with surcalose. La Croix is sweetened with all-natural essential oils and Spindrift uses real fruit. There are several great options out there. Your sparkling water habit can live on—you just might want to do a little research first.

Originally posted July 21, 2016. Updated August 13, 2018.

For more alternative water options, try one of these 12 recipes that use coconut water as a base, or do your gut a favor and sip on kombucha.