I can't remember if they are reserving you but nothing tasted the same again for months after my original DS. I can just now actually drink a plain old glass of water with a meal. Everything else taste wise ended back in the same place but plain water was just gross to me for a long time.
The carbonation from soda, beer or water with gas still doesn't do well with my gut. I have had maybe two entire beers in the last 2.5 years and I loved good beer. If my system is feeling good I can drink wine bit I have to be eating along with it. I have had a handful of occasions where my wife and I had a couple bottles of a good Pinot noir or Zin with me drinking 80% of the bottles. And I don't get drunk easier for do I sober up right away like some say happens to them..... Okay it does take less to buzz me but not a huge amount less. Drinking all that wine and eating a good deal of food with it does wreak havoc on the gut but on occasion it is worth it because every now and then I need a good drunk.... Maybe five times in last 2.5 years.
To your original question, any non alcoholic liquid counts towards your daily goal. One if the reasons I love broth based soups...that and they taste awesome.
Good luck with everything. You are getting close, right?
