OK, I admit, this question is from me, Daily News health reporter Tracy Miller. I've lately developed a bit of a SodaStream, shall we say, reliance. I've always been a water drinker, but since the home carbonator came into my life I find regular old still water just doesn't have the same...spark. Some days, I drink far more carbonated water than I do the regular kind.

It doesn't help that suddenly all my friends seem to have a SodaStream. "Regular or sparkling?" they'll ask, gesturing to their new toy. Um, sparkling! Did you even have to ask?

The news was good: We're used to thinking of bubbly drinks as being bad for us - hello, soda - but carbonated water is basically harmless.

"If somebody doesn't like the taste of water, they shouldn't be concerned if sparkling is all they're drinking," said Manhattan-based nutritionist Keri Gans, RDN, CND. "Sparkling water is just as hydrating. All it is is added carbonation."

Concerns about calcium depletion don't hold much weight, Gans added. "The conclusion is that carbonation does not do that. Other ingredients in soda may do that, but carbonation does not."

Kristi King, MPH, RDN, a senior clinical dietitian at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, agreed.

"There's a myth out there about [carbonation] leaching calcium from the bones, especially with sodas, but the research is just not there," King said.

The same goes for eroding tooth enamel: "Usually any tooth erosion comes from beverages that are sugar-sweetened in conjunction with carbonation, which tend to be highly acidic. Carbonated water is not going to be nearly as acidic," King said.

However, there are a few things to watch out for:

Stomach trouble (for some of us): Though no serious studies document it, it's possible that drinking a ton of sparkling water could cause some unpleasant stomach symptoms for some people. "You are consuming extra carbonation - extra air - so somebody who tends to be very sensitive to changes in their diet should definitely be on the lookout for that," King said. "It could cause excessive burping, flatulence and abdominal distention, which could cause a lot of discomfort. That's probably the main side effect people would see." (My coworkers haven't complained about my burping and flatulence, and my pants still fit, so I think I'm good.)

Sneaky sodium and sugar: Not all clear, sparkling drinks are automatically healthy. Tonic water contains added sodium and sugar, Gans notes. Bottled club soda may also contain added sodium, so be sure to check out the nutrition label.

Flavors: All those little flavor packets that come with your home carbonator may not be so healthy, if they contain added sugar and calories. "That's what you need to watch out for," Gans said. "If you're drinking more water but each and every time you're adding a soda mix, before you know it it could equal a soda."

Americans are already pretty bad when it comes to drinking their calories, so don't let your choice of water make it worse. Try flavoring your still or sparkling water with mint leaves, cucumber, lemon and lime slices, or fresh fruit. Pretend you are at a fancy spa. It's fun!

View the article on nydailynews.com