Let’s be honest: the thing that actually dehydrates you is sugar. A can of soda has about 39 grams of sugar, which pulls water into your intestines to dilute it—classic osmotic dehydration. Seltzer? Zero sugar. Zero guilt. So when someone tells you seltzer dehydrates you, ask them how much Diet Coke they had for lunch. (They’ll hate it, but you’ll be right.)
Another trap: drinking seltzer instead of eating food. If you chug three cans of fizzy water at noon and skip lunch, you’re not dehydrated—you’re just hungry and bloated, which feels oddly similar. Your body needs electrolytes from food, not just water. So, pair your seltzer with a sandwich, and you’re golden.
Myth or Fact: Does Seltzer Water Dehydrate You? – Hydrant
The Irony of the “Seltzer Summer”
Here’s the funny part: the seltzer dehydration myth might actually make you drink more water—which is exactly what we need. If you’re worried about it, you’ll likely top off with a glass of still water, and suddenly you’re double-hydrated. It’s like reverse psychology from the universe. Meanwhile, I’ve seen people proudly chug a Gatorade after a workout, ignoring that it has 21 grams of sugar—then side-eye my seltzer with suspicion. Cool, but you just drank a sports soda, Susan.
