Sodium Bicarbonate Mineral Water Reduces Postprandial Lipemia in Postmenopausal Women
A 2005 study indicates that mineral water high in sodium bicarbonate may improve postprandial lipid metabolism in postmenopausal women compared to low-mineral water.
A study published in 2005 suggests that consuming mineral water rich in sodium bicarbonate may help reduce blood lipid levels after meals (postprandial lipemia) in postmenopausal women.
The research, featured in the British Journal of Nutrition, involved 18 healthy postmenopausal women in a three-arm, randomized crossover study. Participants consumed two types of mineral water high in bicarbonate (test water 1 and 2) alongside a standard high-fat meal, compared to a low-mineral water. Test water 1 contained 2094.4 mg/l bicarbonate and 1116.6 mg/l sodium, while test water 2 contained 2013 mg/l bicarbonate and 948 mg/l sodium.
Results showed a significant reduction in triglyceride levels in the blood after consuming both test waters compared to the low-mineral water. This effect was particularly significant for test water 2 (p = 0.025). The concentration of chylomicron triglycerides also remained lower over time with the test waters (p = 0.027). No significant differences were observed in cholesterol levels.
According to the authors, mineral water high in sodium bicarbonate can thus improve postprandial lipemia in healthy postmenopausal women when compared to low-mineral water. While EU regulations currently limit fluoride content in mineral waters to 5 mg/l, the study highlights potential benefits of bicarbonate for lipid metabolism. The study was originally published in 2005.