SPARKLING water may aid weight loss by encouraging the body to burn sugar, research claims.

Carbon dioxide in the bubbles can force red blood cells to consume glucose before it turns to fat, it suggests.

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Dr Akira Takahashi, a Japanese kidney specialist, said slimmers often drink fizzy water because it is more filling than still.

He said effects are not strong enough to melt flab on its own, but could help with shedding weight due to blood acidity levels.

Dr Takahashi, of the Tesseikai Neurosurgery Hospital, said the body converts the CO2 in the bubbles into bicarbonate, making the blood less acidic and more alkaline. This speeds up the process of red blood cells soaking up sugar.

But he admitted the theory needs human studies.

He wrote in the journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention and Health: “CO2 in carbonated water may promote weight loss by enhancing glucose uptake and metabolism in red blood cells.

However, carbonated water is not a stand-alone solution for weight loss.”

He also warned of unwanted side-effects of excessive consumption, including bloating. A YouGov poll found just 19 per cent of Brits prefer sparkling water to still.

Prof Keith Frayn, of the University of Oxford, was “sceptical”.

He said: “Even if it were possible to show the carbon dioxide in fizzy drinks increases the use of glucose by red blood cells, that will not necessarily lead to weight loss.”