Low-Sodium Sparkling Water: Ranked by Sodium Per Can
Here’s how the most popular sparkling waters compare on sodium content. Figures are per 12oz can or serving, based on published brand nutrition data.
| Brand | Sodium (per 12oz) | Type | Low-Sodium Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| LaCroix | 0 mg | Flavored seltzer | Excellent |
| Polar Seltzer | 0 mg | Flavored seltzer | Excellent |
| bubly | 0 mg | Flavored seltzer | Excellent |
| Waterloo | 0 mg | Flavored seltzer | Excellent |
| Spindrift | ~0–5 mg | Real-fruit seltzer | Excellent |
| Perrier | ~3 mg | Mineral water | Very good |
| San Pellegrino | ~11 mg | Mineral water | Very good |
| Topo Chico | 15 mg | Mineral water | Very good |
| Club soda | ~40–75 mg | Mineral-added | Watch intake |
| Vichy Catalan | ~330 mg | High-mineral | Avoid |
Topo Chico’s figure is 15mg per 355mL / 12 fl oz, per Coca-Cola’s published nutrition panel. San Pellegrino’s label lists 31.2 mg/L, which works out to roughly 11mg per 12oz serving. Other values are approximate and can vary by flavor and batch — always check the current nutrition label. For scale, the FDA’s threshold for labelling a serving “low sodium” is 140mg, so everything above Vichy Catalan on this list falls under it.
Why Sodium in Sparkling Water Matters
For most healthy adults, the sodium in sparkling water is negligible — the daily limit is around 2,300mg, so you’d need to drink dozens of cans of even a 40mg brand to make a real dent. But three groups should pay attention:
- People with high blood pressure who are actively lowering sodium intake.
- Those with kidney conditions, where sodium and mineral load matter more.
- Heavy drinkers — if you go through 4–6 cans a day, a club soda at 40–75mg per can adds up in a way a 0mg seltzer never will.
The key distinction is seltzer vs. mineral water vs. club soda. Seltzers (LaCroix, Polar, bubly, Waterloo) are purified water plus CO2, so they’re naturally sodium-free. Mineral waters (San Pellegrino, Perrier, Topo Chico) carry naturally dissolved minerals, which usually means a small amount of sodium — in practice a few milligrams to fifteen, far under the FDA’s 140mg “low sodium” threshold. Club sodas are the real trap: they have sodium added for taste, which is why they land an order of magnitude above the natural mineral waters.
Our Low-Sodium Picks (0mg)
These are the sparkling waters we’d reach for on a low-sodium diet. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases — it never affects our picks.
LaCroix Variety Pack
Zero sodium, zero calories, zero sweeteners. The most widely available true low-sodium seltzer, with a flavor for everyone.
Spindrift Real Fruit
Flavored with real squeezed fruit, minimal sodium. Best low-sodium pick if you find plain seltzer boring.
Polar Seltzer
Sodium- and mineral-free, triple-filtered. Family-made since 1882 with inventive seasonal flavors at a friendly price.
SodaStream Maker
Carbonate your own filtered water for zero sodium and zero cost per can after setup. Pays for itself in 2–3 months.
What to Watch on a Low-Sodium Diet
- Club soda: Sodium is deliberately added (~40–75mg per can). The one common sparkling drink where the sodium is meaningful rather than incidental.
- Vichy Catalan: This Spanish mineral water hits roughly 1,097mg sodium per liter — off the charts for anyone watching intake.
- Tonic water: Not just sodium — it also carries added sugar and quinine. A different category entirely.
- Natural mineral waters are not the problem: Perrier (~3mg), San Pellegrino (~11mg) and Topo Chico (15mg per 12 fl oz, per Coca-Cola’s published nutrition panel) all sit far under the FDA’s 140mg “low sodium” threshold. If you enjoy them, there is no sodium reason to switch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which sparkling water has the lowest sodium?
LaCroix, Polar Seltzer, bubly, and Waterloo all test at 0mg sodium per can, making them the lowest-sodium sparkling waters available. Spindrift is the best low-sodium flavored option using real fruit.
Is sparkling water bad for high blood pressure?
Plain seltzers with 0mg sodium have no effect on blood pressure. The concern is only with options where sodium is added, like club soda, or ultra-high-mineral waters like Vichy Catalan. Choose a 0mg seltzer — or any of the mainstream mineral waters, which are all well under the FDA’s 140mg “low sodium” threshold — and sparkling water is a safe choice for most people managing blood pressure.
Does Topo Chico have a lot of sodium?
No. Topo Chico contains 15mg of sodium per 12 fl oz bottle, per Coca-Cola’s published nutrition panel — roughly a tenth of the FDA’s 140mg threshold for labelling a serving “low sodium,” and well below club soda. It is a reasonable mineral water option on a sodium-conscious diet, though it sits slightly above Perrier and San Pellegrino.
Is club soda high in sodium?
Yes, relatively. Club soda has sodium added for flavor, typically 40–75mg per can. If you’re watching sodium, choose a plain seltzer like LaCroix or Polar instead.
How much sodium is too much in sparkling water?
The FDA’s benchmark is 140mg per serving for a “low sodium” label, and every mainstream sparkling water sits below it — the highest common option, club soda, tops out around 75mg. On a strict low-sodium diet, 0mg seltzers give you the most headroom, but no ordinary sparkling water is likely to be what pushes you over your daily limit. Vichy Catalan, at roughly 330mg per 12oz, is the genuine exception.
The Bottom Line
If you’re watching sodium, the safest sparkling waters are the 0mg seltzers — LaCroix, Polar, bubly, and Waterloo. For flavor without the sodium, Spindrift uses real fruit. The natural mineral waters people worry about most — Perrier, San Pellegrino and Topo Chico — all land far below the FDA’s 140mg “low sodium” threshold, so they are fine for most people. Skip club soda, where sodium is added deliberately, and ultra-mineral brands like Vichy Catalan. For most healthy adults the difference is small, but for anyone managing blood pressure or kidney health, choosing a true 0mg brand makes staying hydrated worry-free.
