Is Canned Sparkling Water Safe?

The Short Answer

Canned sparkling water is acceptable in moderation, but shouldn't replace your daily water intake. The primary risk isn't the aluminum itself—it's the plastic lining used to protect the can.

Carbonated water is highly acidic, meaning it would literally eat through an unlined aluminum can. While beverage companies have moved away from BPA, the replacement linings are still made of plastics that can shed microplastics and potentially leach PFAS into your drink.

Why This Matters

The acidity of sparkling water is a double-edged sword. It gives the drink its crisp bite, but it also makes it highly reactive to its container. Is Sparkling Water Bad For Your Teeth

To prevent aluminum leaching, manufacturers coat the inside of every can with a micro-thin polymer layer. You aren't drinking from an aluminum can—you're drinking from a plastic bag inside an aluminum can. Over time, these plastic liners break down and shed microscopic fragments into the liquid. Microplastics In Bottled Water

Furthermore, testing routinely finds measurable levels of PFAS in popular canned sparkling waters. Whether these forever chemicals come from the municipal water source, the carbonation equipment, or the can liners, the result is exactly the same. Pfas In Water

What's Actually In Canned Sparkling Water

• BPA-NI (Non-Intent) Linings — Most cans boast "BPA-free" labels, meaning they use Bisphenol-A Non-Intent linings. These are usually regrettable substitutions made from other plastics like acrylic, polyester, or PVC.
• PFAS (Forever Chemicals) — Used as water and grease repellents in manufacturing. Some epoxy can liners contain PFOS-related compounds that can migrate into the acidic water. Is Topo Chico Safe
• Microplastics — Continuous contact between acidic water and the polymer lining causes degradation. Tiny plastic fragments inevitably shed into the beverage before you even pop the tab.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

• Glass Packaging — Glass is inert and impermeable, completely removing the need for plastic linings and the risk of aluminum leaching.
• Home Carbonation — Making your own bubbles with filtered water bypasses industrial processing and packaging chemicals. Best Water Filter

Red Flags:

• Dented Cans — A dent can crack the micro-thin internal plastic lining. This allows the acidic water to contact the raw aluminum directly and leach heavy metals.
• Warm Storage — Heat accelerates the degradation of plastic can linings. A hot can is far more likely to leach chemicals than a cold one.

The Best Options

When buying sparkling water, prioritize glass packaging or home carbonation. Is Sparkling Water Healthy

The Bottom Line

1. Ditch the cans for daily hydration. Drinking six cans a day unnecessarily exposes you to microplastics and potential PFAS.

2. Switch to glass. Brands packaged in glass bottles avoid the chemical can-lining issue entirely.

3. Make it at home. Invest in a home carbonation system that uses glass carafes and high-quality filtered water.

FAQ

Does the aluminum leach into the water?

Only if the inner lining is damaged. Cans are lined with a protective plastic polymer, but if you drink from a heavily dented can, that lining may be compromised. This allows the acidic water to react with the raw aluminum.

Are BPA-free cans actually safe?

They are better, but not perfect. "BPA-free" usually means the manufacturer used a different type of plastic resin, such as acrylic or polyester. These linings can still shed microplastics into your drink over time.

Why do some sparkling waters have PFAS?

Carbonation and packaging are likely culprits. Carbonation equipment often uses PFAS-coated gaskets, and some can liners contain trace amounts. The carbonation process itself can also concentrate existing PFAS from the source water. Is Lacroix Safe