Sodium Bicarbonate-Rich Mineral Water Reduces Gallbladder Emptying and Postprandial Lipemia

A randomized crossover study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition in September 2011, investigated the effects of mineral water rich in sodium bicarbonate on digestion. The research aimed to determine how this mineral-rich water influences gallbladder function and lipid metabolism after a meal.

The study involved 21 healthy volunteers, aged 18 to 40. Participants, in random order, consumed either a low-mineral content water or mineral water high in sodium bicarbonate and sodium. The water was taken either alone or with a fatty meal. Researchers monitored blood levels of insulin, glucose, triglycerides, and the hormone cholecystokinin, while also measuring gallbladder volume via ultrasound for 120 minutes after each test.

Results indicated that consuming the test water alone did not significantly affect the parameters studied compared to the low-mineral water. However, when the mineral-rich water was consumed with a fatty meal, significantly lower triglyceride levels were observed in the blood 30 and 60 minutes post-meal. Cholecystokinin levels were also lower shortly after the meal, leading to a larger gallbladder volume and thus reduced bile secretion.

According to the authors, regular consumption of sodium bicarbonate-rich water with fatty meals may potentially reduce associated cardiovascular risks by lowering blood triglyceride levels. The study provides new insights into the potential physiological effects of specific types of mineral water.