Many people wonder if drinking alkaline water can really make you healthier. It has a higher pH as compared to normal water. Some research shows that alkaline water may have potential benefits like better hydration and bone health.
But does it truly help, or could it possibly cause issues too? In this guide, we will talk about what alkaline water is, the potential benefits of alkaline water, and its possible risks.
Also, read our blog post about Whether RO Water is Alkaline or Not?
A Brief Intro to Alkaline Water
Alkaline water is a special type of water that has a higher pH level than regular water. The pH level of water is measured on a scale of 0 to 14, and alkaline water has a value of around 8 or 9. The value 7 is considered neutral, due to its high pH value, it also has a different taste.
Now, let’s head towards today’s main topic of discussion.
Is Alkaline Water Really Better for You?
Yes, alkaline water is better for your health as it offers several health benefits. Studies show it hydrates faster than plain H2O since it's got extras that help water absorb quicker.
People say it balances acids in the body, too, which is important. Some research also found it acts like an antioxidant inside. No wonder so many feel more energized with alkaline water, and doctors also say drinking it daily is usually fine. It might be worth a try for the possible health perks.
Perks of Consuming Alkaline Water Regularly
Drinking alkaline water on a regular basis can provide you with numerous health benefits that will be discussed in this section.
1. Improved Hydration
Research shows alkaline water between 8-10 pH may hydrate the body faster than regular water. It has more hydroxyl ions that help water move into cells quickly. Drinking the recommended 8-10 glasses per day could give you more energy from staying hydrated.
2. Antioxidant Properties
Alkaline water is thought to act as an antioxidant due to its higher pH and negative charge. Some experts say it contains more hydroxyl ions that can eliminate or stop free radicals from harming cells. Drinking the recommended amount daily may lower stress on cells and disease risk.
3. Bone Health
Alkaline water contains minerals that are good for healthy bones, like calcium and magnesium. It's easier for the body to use these minerals because alkaline water has a higher pH level. When the pH is higher, the minerals are absorbed more easily.
Experts recommend drinking 8 to 10 glasses of alkaline water per day. Some research shows this may help stop osteoporosis.
4. Digestive Health
Alkaline water may aid digestion in several ways. Its higher pH helps balance stomach acid, easing issues like acid reflux. The extra minerals also nourish good bacteria in the gut. Drinking the recommended amount daily could improve digestion and regularity.
5. Improved acid-base balance
Some studies show drinking alkaline water with a pH of 8-10 every day may help balance acids and bases in the body better than regular water. This is because it has extra hydroxyl ions that can help get rid of extra acids.
Keeping good balance of acids is important to stay healthy. Early research shows alkaline water may lower the chance of diseases like weak bones. This is because it may stop too many acids from building up in the bones and blood.
So, these are some of the useful health benefits of alkaline water that will help you in determining whether it is good or not.
Some Health Risks Associated With Consuming Alkaline Water
Along with the benefits, there are multiple health risks also associated with it that we have covered in this article.
1. Altering stomach acidity
Drinking too much alkaline water could change the normal acid levels in the stomach. This acid is needed to digest food properly. Too much or too little acid is not good.
Some people say it caused them tummy problems. More research is needed to understand if alkaline water affects stomach acid levels in both the short and long run when drunk every day. Safety is key, so moderation is best.
2. Kidney Issues
The kidneys work hard every day to keep the body clean and healthy. They filter waste from the blood. Some folks worry that only drinking alkaline water could cause extra work for the kidneys. This is because it has to process the extra minerals in this type of water compared to regular H2O.
Too much pressure on the kidneys in the long term may cause serious kidney issues. It's probably best to drink alkaline water along with other waters and not overdose it on the kidneys until we know for sure it's 100% safe in the long term.
How Normal Water Can Be Turned into Alkaline
There are a number of ways through which you can efficiently turn your home water into alkaline.
1. Through Alkaline Water Filters:
This is the most simple yet effective way to get the job done. You can install an alkaline water filter in your home that will quickly and efficiently turn tap water into alkaline. They do this by special alkaline minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and many more.
Inclusion of these in the water results in increased pH value and ultimately – Alkaline water. By using filters, you don’t have to make any kind of effort, as all will be handled by the tool.
2. Through Water Ionizers:
These are special devices that use a special process known as “Electrolysis” to turn regular water into alkaline. In this process, both the alkaline and acidic minerals in the water are separated. The alkaline water is then collected for usage, whereas the acidic water is wasted.
3. Through alkaline ingredients:
Do you know? There are multiple alkaline ingredients, such as tablets or liquid drops, also available in the market. Adding these to your water can also make it alkaline. However, be sure about the dosage.
So, these are some of the effective ways through which you can convert normal water into alkaline.
Let’s Wrap Up
Numerous studies and also the proponents of alkaline water can provide a number of benefits. In this article, we described both the benefits and disadvantages of this type of water, hope you will find this article helpful.