Soda water is made by dissolving carbon dioxide with ordinary water. Also known as sparkling water. Other fizzy cold drinks have added sugar and flavoring. But soda water is just carbonated water. It bubbles right up when poured into a glass. But the taste is like ordinary water. For this, besides the question whether soda is halal or not, it is good to know whether it is beneficial or harmful.
Is soda halal?
Yes, soda is halal. Drinking any drink is halal as long as it does not contain any haraam ingredients. It is absolutely haram to mix any amount of alcohol in any food or drink. But there is no evidence that soda contains alcohol.
Another opinion
Some scholars think that soda is not halal. They said, according to various news sources, most soft drinks, including all types of energy drinks, contain alcohol. Recently, a French research institute revealed that two popular soft drinks, Coca-Cola and Pepsi, contain at least 10 mg of alcohol per liter.
Besides, some think that the main ingredient of the soft drink may contain a mixture of pork fat. It also contains harmful substances for the body. Such as cocoa, caffeine, carbon dioxide, high acid, etc., which are very harmful to human health including kidneys, teeth, bones.
Another popular belief is that soft drinks help digestion. Many of us like to drink soft drinks after eating rich food thinking that it will help the food to be digested faster. Being acidic, soft drinks upset the sensitive alkaline balance of the stomach.
As a result, various problems like stomach pain, bloating, indigestion, gas, acid reflux etc. are created. For this reason, these soft drinks called soda water have been banned in different parts of the world.
So these drinks cannot be consumed without being sure about the basic ingredients. Above all, it is necessary to stay away from suspicious objects. Rasulullah (SAW) said, Halal is clear, Haram is clear. Among them there is a doubtful thing which is haram. (Bukhari, Muslim, Mishkat Ha/2762).
Evidence in favor of their opinion
Rasulullah (s.a.w.s.) said, Every intoxicant is alcohol and every intoxicant is haram (Muslim, Mishkat Ha/3638).
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There is another hadeeth, “The one who becomes intoxicated in large quantities, the smaller quantity is forbidden” (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Mishkat Ha/3645, Sahih).
Refute their opinion
We know that there are clearly no haram ingredients in the ingredients that soda is made of. The things you say are just speculations. Sodas contain alcohol or lard are not proven facts. So it will not be correct to call a halal as haraam based on the concept.
Real facts about soda
Soda is a fast food and any type of fast food is not good for our body. You should always keep in mind that our body was created by Allah Taala to use it properly as long as we live so that we can worship Allah Taala. But we constantly damage our body by eating various kinds of dishonest food. As a result our head is affected by diseases.
Various statistics talk about various benefits of soft drinks but those who talk about these benefits are media followers of Dajjal. They hide the truth and promote lies. So even though soda is halal, it is a good decision to refrain from consuming it. The more natural foods we consume, the better and healthier we will be.
Ingredients of Soda
The ingredients of soda can vary depending on the specific type and brand, but typically they include:
- Carbonated water: This is the base of most sodas, providing fizziness.
- Sweeteners: Common sweeteners used in soda include sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners like aspartame, saccharin, or sucralose.
- Flavourings: Natural or artificial flavourings are added to give soda its distinct taste, such as cola, lemon-lime, orange, etc.
- Acids: Phosphoric acid, citric acid, or other acids may be added for flavor enhancement and to regulate acidity.
- Preservatives: Some sodas contain preservatives like sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate to extend shelf life.
- Caffeine: Many sodas, particularly cola-flavored ones, contain caffeine for its stimulant effect.
- Coloring agents: Artificial colors are often added to enhance the visual appeal of the soda.
- Stabilizers or emulsifiers: These ingredients help maintain the texture and consistency of the soda.
- Natural extracts or essences: Some sodas may contain natural extracts or essences for flavor enhancement.
Benefits of Soda
Although it is halal to drink soda, there is controversy over the benefits of drinking it. But here are some benefits of plain soda water.
Canadian nutrition and dietetics researchers studied hundreds of participants and found the benefits of drinking soda water.
According to the results of the study published in Food and Research International, sparkling water is known to many as a festive drink.
Because according to the information given by the participants, drinking this bubble water gives more pleasure than normal water in the festival. Again much safer than alcohol and other sugary soft drinks.
- Aids in digestion: Citing research published in the journal ‘Medicina’ in 2020, a report published on ‘Livestrong’.com said that ‘sparkling water’ can help with indigestion. For this research done by ‘California Polytechnic State University’, 21 participants were divided into two groups. For a week, one group drank plain water and another group drank ‘soda’ water. A comparative analysis of the data provided by the two groups showed that those who drank the ‘sparkling water’ had less problems with indigestion as well as constipation.
- Increase in humidity: Soda water can be a good way to stay hydrated on hot days. According to research from the University Medical School in Scotland, bubble water can keep the body more hydrated than plain water. Research results published in the journal Decina in 1994 also reported that this could be because the natural minerals in sparkling water act as electrolytes.
- Can maintain a healthy weight: Drinking enough water is always said to help you lose weight. But sparkling water may be more effective at maintaining a healthy weight. Because this water can reduce the desire to eat again and again. A 2012 study observed 19 healthy women and found that those who drank more sparkling water had more feelings of fullness. As a result, they refrained from overeating.
Conclusion
We know two opinions about soda. According to the first opinion, soda is halal and according to the second opinion, soda is haram. We have reviewed the evidence and information required by the two opinions and find that the first opinion is correct and admissible. So soda is halal for you.
