Water is important to every cell, tissue, and organ in your body. The best way to stay hydrated: glug-glug-glug glasses of water throughout the day.
But which kind of water? Some people claim that alkaline water is better than anything you could get from the tap. But the science isn’t there to back it up.
What Makes Alkaline Water Different?
Water is a combination of hydrogen and oxygen. That’s why you call it H2O. Water’s pH level determines how acidic it is and ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral. That “seven” number is considered neutral or balanced between acidic and alkaline. If water is below 7 on the pH scale, it’s “acidic.” If it’s higher than 7, it’s “alkaline.”
EPA guidelines state that the pH of tap water should be between 6.5 and 8.5. Still, tap water in the U.S. tends to fall below that — in the 4.3 to 5.3 range — depending on where you live.
Bottled water falls under different standards depending on whether it claims to be alkaline. Bottled alkaline water has a pH level above 7. In some cases, manufacturers use a special device to change the chemical makeup of the water. Other times, they add nutrients to the water to change its pH.
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For comparison, orange juice has a pH of 3.3 and black coffee is about a 5. Pure water has a neutral pH of 7. But tap water in the U.S. tends to fall below that — in the 4.3 to 5.3 range — depending on where you live.
Checking the Health Claims
Alkaline water enthusiasts claim that its increased hydrogen provides greater hydration than regular water, especially after a hard workout.
Fans of the stuff also say that regular drinking water with a pH below 7 creates too much acid in your blood and cells. They blame plain water’s low pH for all sorts of health problems, from osteoporosis to cancer.
Water that is more alkaline supposedly reduces acid in the bloodstream and:
• Improves metabolism
• Increases energy
• Slows aging
• Improves digestion
• Reduces bone loss
• Can Alkaline Water Do All This?
• The health claims about alkaline water are more about sales than science. There isn’t much research to support them.
• Also, your body, on its own, can keep your pH levels at an even keel. Your kidneys are your built-in filtration system. It’s their job to balance the acid levels in your body. If your blood gets too acidic, your body brings it down by breathing out more carbon dioxide.
• Your stomach is the great equalizer. Your gastric juices — a combination of digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid — neutralize everything you eat and drink. Basically, your stomach will re-acidify alkaline water before it can do anything the health claims promise.
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How Does It Taste?
• Alkaline water may taste bitter or different from your tap water. This can also change the taste of anything you use it in, like coffee or tea.
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Is It Safe?
• Unless you have a kidney disease, alkaline water doesn’t pose any serious health risks. The high pH could make your skin dry and itchy or cause an upset stomach, but that’s about all.
• Just because it’s safe, though, doesn’t mean it does anything for you. For all the benefits of a tall glass of water, fill up at the tap.
Backers of high-pH water say it also has the power to starve cancer cells.
Is alkaline water better for you than plain water?
Answer From Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
For most people, plain water is better.
Bottled water sold as alkaline water is subject to regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Alkaline water sometimes has nutrients added to it to achieve an alkaline pH.
Scientists use pH to describe how acidic a substance is on a scale of 0 to 14. By definition, a substance is alkaline if it has a pH of over 7.
Because alkaline water has a higher pH level than does plain tap water, proponents say that it can neutralize acid in your bloodstream. However, research suggests that alkaline water is unlikely to significantly change blood pH.
Some studies suggest that alkaline water might help slow bone loss, but it’s not clear if the benefit is maintained over the long term.
Some say that alkaline water can help prevent disease, such as cancer and heart disease. However, there’s little credible evidence to support such claims.
Highlights
• Alkaline water and it’s benefits is one of the newer trends
• Alkaline water is water that has been ionized
• Alkaline water may have negative side effects
Alkaline water and it’s benefits is one of the newer trends to have made its way into the already overcrowded wellness and healthy eating world. Drinking Alkaline water, it is said, offers more health benefits than one. It helps slow down the ageing process, regulate pH levels of the body and prevent various chronic diseases. Alkaline water refers to neutralising acid levels in the body, which normal water cannot do. This controversial health practice has been argued over its use by many health experts. Let’s find out what alkaline water is all about and if it’s worth the hype.
What is Alkaline Water?
Alkaline water is water that has been ionized, which means the pH level of water has been increased. The pH level is a number that measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is on a scale of 0 to 14. For instance, if the level is 1, it means the substance is very acidic and if it is 13, it is very alkaline. Alkaline water has pH level of about 8 or 9 and pH level of normal tap water is 7, which is neutral. It is believed that alkaline water helps people with excess acidity as it helps neutralise the acid in the body; thanks to its alkaline nature. This process of neutralising acids in the body helps prevent various ailments. There are ways to increase the alkaline properties of water by using special filters, faucet attachments and additives that raise the pH levels, making normal tap water go from neutral pH to Alkaline.
According to the Bangalore based Nutritionist, Dr. Anju Sood, “Your body secretes out a lot of juices. Now these juices are basically acidic in nature. So at that time alkaline water will neutralise the acid. We always suggest having foods that are at least 70 percent alkaline and 30 percent acidic, so that once it is consumed; the pH of the body will be neutral. Alkaline water is suggested when you are not consuming food that is not balancing your pH levels in the body.”
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• Benefits Of Alkaline Water: Health Benefits, How To Make Alkaline Water And Its Side Effects
Benefits Of Alkaline Water: Health Benefits, How To Make Alkaline Water And Its Side Effects
Alkaline water and it’s benefits is one of the newer trends to have made its way into the already overcrowded wellness and healthy eating world.