Overview
About Water
Plain water is the baseline safe drink: no histamine, no FODMAPs, no salicylate, no caffeine, nothing to react to.
If water seems to bother you, the trigger is almost always an additive, not the water. Tonic water contains quinine and sugar, flavoured and vitamin waters add sweeteners and citric acid, and sparkling or carbonated water can bloat a sensitive or reflux-prone gut. Still water itself is as clean as a drink gets.
Sensitivities
How Water scores
Watch for
What trips people up
- Tonic water is not plain water: it contains quinine and added sugar, so a reaction to tonic is not a reaction to water
- Flavoured and vitamin waters add sweeteners, acids and colourings, any of which can be the real trigger
- Sparkling and carbonated water can cause bloating or reflux for some, from the carbonation rather than any chemical trigger
Diet fit
Where it fits
Swap ideas
More alternatives
FAQ
Common questions about Water
Can plain water be a trigger?
No. Still water carries no histamine, FODMAP, salicylate or caffeine, so it is the safest drink for any sensitivity. If a drink bothers you, look at what has been added to the water rather than the water itself.
Why does tonic water bother me when still water does not?
Tonic water is flavoured with quinine and sweetened with sugar, so it is a very different drink from plain water. Quinine sensitivity and the added sugar are the usual reasons tonic causes symptoms that still water never would.
Is sparkling water ok for a sensitive gut?
The water is fine, but the carbonation can trigger bloating or reflux in some people. If plain sparkling water bothers you it is usually the gas, whereas flavoured sparkling waters add sweeteners and acids on top.
References
Read the background
Ratings reflect the Triggerbites ingredient database and may vary with portion size and preparation.