CBD and sparkling water. Two consumer trends that were bound to converge. But, is that a good thing? We’ll dive into that question and find out if CBD sparkling water actually works.
Within the last few years, CBD sparkling water has been a breakout product. It’s captured 57% of the market share for CBD-infused beverages, according to Statista. Search trends show that demand came out of nowhere just a few years ago and is continuing to rise.
![](https://fettlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/cbd-sparkling-water-search-trend-1024x596.jpg)
Sparkling water and CBD are staple products in the wellness routines of many young people. So, on the surface, it makes sense to combine them for a 2-for-1 special of health benefits. But, as we’ll discuss in this article, it takes a wise consumer to pick out the right CBD-infused sparkling water that might actually work.
Does CBD Sparkling Water Work?
Yes, CBD sparkling water can be beneficial. But, there are many factors that influence whether or not the brand of water you’re drinking is actually effective. We’ll cover the ones that matter most when it comes to buying CBD sparkling water that works. These are:
But, first, we have to acknowledge that drinking a CBD-infused beverage is far from the most effective way for your body to absorb CBD. Let’s talk about bioavailability.
Bioavailability of Drinking CBD
Drinking CBD has low bioavailability. What does that mean? It means that a relatively low amount of CBD actually gets absorbed into your bloodstream when you drink it, say for example, in the form of sparkling water.
An often-cited 2009 study found that the body only absorbs 4-20% of the CBD content when it’s ingested orally. So, if a can of CBD sparkling water claims to contain 20mg of CBD, then – best-case scenario – your body will only absorb 4mg.
Why is the bioavailability of drinking CBD so low?
When you drink CBD-infused sparkling water, it goes straight to your stomach. From there, your liver and digestive system filter out most of it as waste. Only some of its contents get absorbed into your bloodstream.
Which methods of taking CBD have higher bioavailability?
Smoking CBD or taking it sublingually (under the tongue) in the form of oil are the best, readily available methods for absorbing CBD most effectively.
To compare the bioavailability of different ways to take CBD, check out Best Ways to Take CBD for High Absorption.
Factors that Influence the Effectiveness of CBD Sparkling Water
Our hope is that, by reading this article, you’re armed with the knowledge to buy a CBD sparkling water brand that’ll actually work. Let’s dive into the main things to look out for as your research which one to choose.
How it’s Made
Not all CBD sparkling waters or seltzers are equal. Different manufacturing methods mean different rates of effectiveness in terms of CBD absorption.
The primary challenge with infusing CBD with water is that CBD is hydrophobic. That means that it resists being mixed with water. Obviously, that’s a problem for any company that has set out to make a CBD sparkling water. They need to find a way to make the CBD water-soluble.
We cover this problem and its primary solution today – emulsion – in another article called “Can You Drink CBD Oil?” so we won’t get into too much detail here. Basically, what you need to know is that you can’t just throw CBD and water together. Emulsion technology is required to get the two to blend best.
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Let’s cut straight to the point and tell you how to find CBD sparkling water that’s manufactured well.
What to look for:
- Brands that manufacture their sparkling water using an emulsion process
What to avoid:
- Brands that don’t mention emulsion and might otherwise infuse their beverages by mixing water with powdered CBD isolate
If you’re interested in learning more about emulsion and why it matters for CBD-infused beverages, then we suggest you check out this article.
How it’s Packaged
CBD degrades over time and that degradation can be accelerated by various factors, the most influential one being light. A study from 1976 concluded that, “Exposure to light (not direct sunlight) was shown to be the greatest single factor in loss of cannabinoids”.
For the same reason that beer is most often packaged in dark bottles, you want your CBD sparkling water to be shielded from light to resist degradation and spoilage.
![](https://fettlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/recess-packaging-500px.jpg)
Another finding from that same study was that, “air oxidation did lead to significant losses [of cannabinoids].” So, you’ll want to be sure that you keep your CBD sparkling water sealed until you plan to drink it.
What to look for:
- CBD sparkling water that is in cans or other containers that are completely shielded from light
What to avoid:
- CBD sparkling water that has been packaged in a clear or semi-transparent container
How it’s Stored
Just like how light can degrade CBD, so too can heat. Storing CBD beverages at room temperature or cooler is the best way to ensure that you’re not losing any potency.
![](https://fettlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/cbd-drink-storage.jpeg)
Time also degrades CBD like it does all things. So, your best bet is to make sure that your CBD sparkling water is checking all of the boxes we’ve mentioned plus was manufactured fairly recently.
What to look for:
- CBD sparkling water that has been refrigerated since it was manufactured is ideal
- Check the manufacture date on the container to ensure that it came off the production line within the last few months
What to avoid:
- CBD sparkling water that may have been sitting on the shelf in environments that might have gotten above room temperature (e.g., a non-refrigerated display case near the entrance of a store)
- CBD sparkling water that is more than one year old
Where to Find the Best CBD Sparkling Water
Now that you know what to look for, you should have no problem researching and finding a CBD sparkling water that has the best odds of being effective.
But, good for you, we already did all that research! We’ve curated the best CBD sparkling waters and seltzers for you. So, with all that time back, go get yourself your new favorite CBD-infused beverage and enjoy!
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