🧪 What’s Hiding in Your Sparkling Water (and Belly Bloat).
PFAS, Candida, and the Bubbly Truth You Didn’t Know to Look For.
We’ve all been there — choosing sparkling water over soda, feeling like we’re making the “healthier” choice. But what if that bubbly can of refreshment is quietly feeding something not so refreshing inside your body?
I’m talking about two major culprits:
🥤 PFAS chemicals in your fizzy drinks
🦠 Candida overgrowth in your gut
Let’s unpack both — and what you can do to feel better fast.
🚨 First, What Is PFAS?
PFAS stands for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, also called “forever chemicals.” They’re used to make things grease-proof, waterproof, and nonstick — but they don’t break down in the body or environment.
🧬 Why it matters:
PFAS have been linked to:
Hormone disruption
Fertility issues
Immune dysfunction
Cancer
Thyroid problems
And yes — they’ve been detected in sparkling water.
🧴 Which Sparkling Waters Contain PFAS?
Here's what recent independent testing found:
Use the Read the Labels app to scan your sparkling waters and instantly see PFAS safety — no guesswork needed.
🦠 Now Let’s Talk Candida
Candida is a yeast that naturally lives in our gut. But here’s the kicker:
Over 70% of people have some form of candida overgrowth and don’t even know it.
⚠️ Symptoms of candida overgrowth include:
Bloating after meals
Sugar cravings
Brain fog
White tongue
Fatigue
Itchy ears, skin, or scalp
One surprising fuel source for candida? Carbonation.
Yep, bubbly drinks can feed the overgrowth and keep you feeling inflamed, puffy, and stuck — especially if you’re already dealing with gut issues.
📊 Get Tested
Don’t just guess — test!
I recommend using Vibrant America or WellnessFX to run a comprehensive candida panel. It’ll show your levels and help you take targeted action.
💡 Pair this with a gut-healing protocol and you’ll start seeing results in:
Reduced bloating
Clearer skin
Better focus
Fewer sugar cravings
💧 Your Clean Bubbly Picks
If you love sparkling water (I get it), here are the brands to stick with:
✅ Sparkling Waters with NO PFAS Detected:
Waterloo
Aura Bora
Mountain Valley Sparkling
Sound
Nixie
Proud Source
✅ Bottom Line
All six brands are clean and free from artificial sweeteners, citric acid, sugar, sodium, or added preservatives. The only differences are:
Waterloo, Sound, Nixie: flavored with natural fruit extracts/oils.
Aura Bora: uses plant-based herbal extracts instead of fruit flavors.
Mountain Valley & Proud Source: pure mineral spring waters with no flavoring.
If your focus is on zero additives, Mountain Valley and Proud Source are strictly unflavored. But all options listed are free from nasties and safely simple—just sparkling water and natural goodness!
🟡 Low PFAS (<1 ppt) but not 100% free:
Spindrift
San Pellegrino
Schweppes
Dasani
🚫 Brands to avoid due to high PFAS:
Topo Chico
Polar
Bubly
La Croix
Perrier
Canada Dry
🧃 Bottom Line
Clean labels don’t stop at food. Your water should be held to the same standard.
Next time you crack open a can, ask yourself:
Is this helping my body — or secretly feeding my bloat?If you're struggling with candida, chronic bloating, or mystery inflammation, it might be time to clean out your sparkling waters just like your pantry.
➡️ Use the Read the Labels app to scan your water
➡️ Book a candida test
➡️ Start drinking smarter, not just bubblier
xoxo,
Jen Smiley
Hi! What about HEB's version of Topo chico glass bottled mineral water?