Hard truth about carbonated drinks and your gut

Let me preface this by saying, I’m not the “never drink anything fun again” Coach…

But I am going to hit you with a quick reality check about something I keep getting questions about lately:

Carbonated drinks — are they helping or hurting your waistline?

We’re talking:

• Bubbly

• Diet Coke, Sprite, Fanta

• SodaStream

• Non-alcoholic beers

• “Low-cal” cocktail mixes

• Anything fizzy in a can or bottle

   

Before you crack another one on repeat this summer, here’s the hard truth:

Carbonation = CO2 gas in your gut.

That gas has to go somewhere.
Usually, that means bloating, burping, sluggish digestion, and discomfort that lingers long after your last sip.

Are you already dealing with IBS or gut health issues?
Carbonated drinks are pouring fuel on that fire.

Diet? Sugar-free? That doesn’t mean “harmless.”

Most of these are loaded with artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame, sugar alcohols, to name a few, to watch out for. 

These upset your gut microbiome, disrupt digestion, and some even spike your cravings…which can lead to snacking like a teenager at 11pm or later…

Even the “healthy” carbonated drinks aren’t off the hook.

Yes, even sparkling water can slow down digestion by delaying how fast your stomach empties.

You end up feeling overly full, sluggish, and weirdly hungry again soon after.

And here’s the big one…

If you’re drinking fizzy drinks OVER water, you’re impacting:

• Digestion

• Hydration

• Nutrient transport

• Metabolism

All four = critical for fat loss, energy, and performance.

So here’s Coach Mike’s Summer Drink Game Plan:

1. Limit carbonated drinks to 1–2 max per day

    

2. Cut them out entirely if bloating or gut issues are an ongoing issue.

    

3. Hydrate like a responsible healthy fit ADULT – filtered water, add sea salt + lemon if you need flavor or electrolytes.

    

4. If you’re drinking, go clear spirits + soda + lime, skip the sugary cocktails, and beers.

No, this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy summer.

It means you make smarter swaps when you’re out for your social get togethers – this allows you to still make progress with how your clothes fit, for your next beach vacation. Set yourself up to look and feel lean and CONFIDENT when you look at yourself in the mirror.

Stay sharp. Stay lean. Stay healthy!