Alkaline water includes alkaline minerals and is somewhat less acidic than conventional drinking water. However, not all of its potential benefits have been demonstrated.
You may have heard of different health benefits associated with alkaline water. According to some, it can help control your pH level, reduce the aging process, and prevent chronic diseases such as cancer.
It is vital to recognize that the pH levels in your blood cannot be substantially altered by food, including the consumption of alkaline water.
Your kidneys and lungs work together to keep the pH level within a very precise range of 7.35-7.45, which is what you require for proper functioning.
So, should you drink alkaline water, and what data exists to support the other putative benefits?
What exactly is alkaline water?
Alkaline refers to the pH level of the water. A pH level is a number that indicates how alkaline or acidic it ranges from 0 to 14 Trusted Source. Something with a pH of 1 is very acidic, and something with a pH of 13 is very alkaline.
The pH of alkaline water is determined by alkaline minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, or iron.
Regular water vs. alkaline water
Obviously, the pH level of alkaline water is more alkaline than conventional water you drink every day. As a result, some of us think drinking alkaline water can neutralize acid in your body, albeit this is not substantiated by science.
The pH of ordinary drinking water is usually 7. The pH of alkaline water is between 8 – 9. However, higher pH alone is insufficient to impart significant alkalinity to water.
Alkaline water must have alkaline minerals as well as a negative oxidation-reduction potential (ORP). The lower the ORP value, the more anti-oxidizing the substance.
Is alkaline water healthy?
Alkaline water is a bit contentious. Many health specialists believe there is insufficient data to back many health claims claimed by vendors and users.
There are few studies suggest that alkaline water may be beneficial to your health in the following ways:
In 2020, some studies done on mice discovered that drinking alkaline water on a daily basis improved aging indicators in the mice’s DNA.
A 2018 study on mice revealed that alkaline water may help lessen the symptoms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
In a short 2018 research by Trusted Source in Japan, drinking alkaline electrolyzed water improved stool marginally in 60 human participants.
In a 2016 study, A study was done on 100 participants discovered a substantial difference in whole blood viscosity after consuming high-pH water versus standard water after a vigorous activity. The viscosity of your blood is a direct measurement of how efficiently it flows through your veins.
According to some studies, it may assist in enhancing bone density in postmenopausal patients with osteoporosis.
More large-scale human investigations are needed to investigate these findings.
Other unsubstantiated claims state that alkaline water has pro-aging benefits (through liquid antioxidants that diffuse more quickly into the human body)
- colon cleansing abilities
- Improvement of the immune system
- skin health
- detoxifying characteristics
- slimming down
- resistance against cancer
Is there any harm in drinking alkaline water?
Alkaline water is deemed safe to drink. There is currently no evidence demonstrating negative effects.
Alkaline water has a different pH than regular water. However, your body will make physiological modifications, such as continuing to create hydrochloric acid, to manage the pH levels in the stomach and establish homeostasis or stability.
Natural or man-made?
Water that is naturally alkaline originates when water flows over rocks, such as springs, and picks up minerals, which raises the alkalinity level.
Many individuals who drink alkaline water, however, purchase alkaline water that has gone through a chemical process known as electrolysis.
To raise the pH of normal water, this procedure employs an ionizer.
According to ionizer manufacturers, electricity is used to separate molecules in water that are more acidic or alkaline. The acidic water is then drained.
Nonetheless, some doctors and academics argue that these claims are not supported by adequate research. The quality of water and its original source is critical to ensuring pollutants are not present in the drinking water before ionization.
Some experts recommend utilizing reverse osmosis to sufficiently filter water before connecting an alkaline ionizer, which can increase pH and add minerals.
There are several additional safety risks with consuming ionized alkaline water. When you consume it on a frequent basis, you are more likely to develop hyperkalemia, especially if the pH of the water is greater than 9.8.
Other problems include the possibility that it will impair growth, deplete minerals and vitamins in the body, and interfere with nutrition absorption. It may also affect your mucosal lining and cause excessive thirst.
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Where can I find alkaline water * ?
Your local health food and grocery stores sell alkaline water. It is also available online. Water ionizers are also available at many large chain retailers.
You can make your own at home as well. Another option to make water more alkaline is to add pH drops or baking soda. If water is adequately filtered to remove impurities, ionized and re-mineralized, or obtained from a quality source, there is no evidence to suggest a limit on how much alkaline water can be taken daily.
Commonly Asked Questions
Who isn’t supposed to consume alkaline water?
According to medical professionals, Alkaline water should be avoided by people who have kidney disease or other sorts of impaired kidney function.
Especially if it is ionized, you need to make sure to consult with medical professionals.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of alkaline water?
Drinking alkaline water can help you boost the amount of vital minerals in your body and may aid in the treatment of some health disorders. However, there isn’t enough data to support all of the potential benefits, and there may be some health hazards if you drink it for an extended period of time.
Which water is the healthiest to drink?
Spring water, which contains critical minerals and is cleaned to remove hazardous germs, is the healthiest water to drink, according to Water Defense.
To Conclude
Is alkaline water safe to drink?
Many health professionals are concerned about alkaline water’s safety rather than the health claims claimed about it.
While some research has been conducted, there is currently insufficient scientific evidence to support the use of alkaline water as a treatment for any health issue. Currently, medical professionals advise against accepting all marketing claims.
Natural alkaline water is generally deemed safe to drink because it includes natural minerals.
However, you should exercise caution while using artificial alkaline water, which has fewer beneficial minerals than its high pH suggests and may contain pollutants. More research is required to establish its advantages.