Water is a fundamental element for sustaining life, as it plays a crucial role in maintaining our body’s functions and overall well-being. However, water quality is of great importance, as various properties are involved in the process that can directly impact our lives, one of which is alkaline water. In the last 10 years, alkaline water has surged in popularity, touted by many people as a way to improve our welfare. But what exactly sets alkaline water apart from regular tap or bottled water? And more importantly, to what extent is it beneficial for us?
In this article, we will explore the benefits of alkaline water, sketching its unique properties and how they may positively impact your body. Whether you are a wellness enthusiast or just curious about optimizing your body functions, discover with us how alkaline water can support health and vitality through potential hydration enhancement, antioxidant features, and more.
What is Alkaline Water?
The alkalinity of water refers to its pH (potential of hydrogen), which measures the hydrogen ions in a water-based liquid on a scale of 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. A liquid with a pH above 7 is considered alkaline, while below 7 is acidic. The higher the pH, the more alkaline the water, and the lower the pH, the more acidic it is. Regarding alkaline water, its pH level is usually between 8 and 9, making it less acidic than regular tap or bottled water, which typically has a neutral pH of around 7.
That being said, what makes water alkaline? Water contains dissolved minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium, contributing to our overall health. Alkaline water has a higher pH level due to an increased amount of these minerals, and springs naturally produce alkaline water as it passes through rocks and sediments. However, tap water may lose its mineral properties through treatments. Therefore, to obtain alkaline water, you can use technologies like remineralization to raise the pH level of regular water. It’s important to note that the source water quality is crucial to ensure the absence of contaminants. That is why some scientists recommend using reverse osmosis first to purify water.
Don’t Believe the Hype
As mentioned above, alkaline water has recently become a popular health trend. Advocates of alkaline water believe that an acidic environment in the body can lead to chronic illnesses, which can be counteracted by drinking water with a higher pH. They assert that alkaline water helps the body to become less acidic and has many properties, such as pro-aging, cleansing, immune system support, weight loss, and eventually treating some illnesses. Nonetheless, alkaline water cannot be the only factor in curing diseases.
So, what are those recognized benefits?
Alkaline Water Champions Optimal Hydration
One of the main benefits allocated to alkaline water, according to a 2022 scientific literature review of relevant research in the International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering, is that it improves hydration, thanks to the minerals and electrolytes it contains.
Moreover, a study in the Biology of Sport published in 2022 examined the effects of drinking different types of water on hydration and post-exercise lactate use after intense physical activity. As per information, the body produces lactate, also known as lactic acid, during exercise. When lactate builds up, it causes a burning sensation in the muscles, which is often associated with strenuous physical efforts.
The researchers discovered that alkaline water promoted better hydration and improved lactate utilization, resulting in less lactate accumulation. Since lactate serves as a fuel source for muscles, this eventually leads to optimal muscle performance.
As a reminder, dehydration can induce negative effects, such as fatigue, cardiovascular strain, heat strain, and altered neurologic and metabolic function.
Helping Bone Health
Another probable benefit observed by several studies is that alkaline water can support our bone health. For instance, a 2009 study published in the journal Bone investigated the impact of acidic water rich in calcium versus bicarbonate- and calcium-rich alkaline mineral water on bone health among young women with a normal calcium intake. The result showed that the group that drank alkaline water had lower bone resorption (the decay of bone tissues leading to bone loss), compared to the acidic water group.
More recently in a 2021 study on postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, those who consumed alkaline water alongside calcium, vitamin D, and bone-density drugs showed significantly improved spine bone density compared to those who didn’t drink alkaline water.
Reducing Gastrointestinal Issues
It is undeniable that alkaline water can protect us from gastrointestinal issues. A test-tube study conducted 20 years ago revealed that alkaline water with a pH of 8.8 permanently neutralized stomach acid (pepsin). This prevented the occurrence of burning acid reflux caused by the acid backing up the œsophagus.
Based on these findings, a 2017 trial was conducted where patients were given alkaline water along with a Mediterranean diet. The trial was intended to compare the effectiveness of this treatment with Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs), which are the most common medication prescribed for acid reflux. The results showed that PPIs were no better than alkaline water and a diet in controlling acid reflux. The study therefore deduces that alkaline water and a plant-based diet may be a better treatment than medication, which is significant because PPIs are known to have serious side effects such as a potential intestinal infection, and dementia, among other risks.
Alkaline Water and its Antioxidant Properties
Also, as it contains minerals and negative oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), alkaline water activates potent antioxidant enzymes that combat the production and buildup of free radicals throughout the body’s tissues. Because of these potential antioxidant properties, consuming alkaline water may aid in protecting cells from damage and reducing oxidative stress, which is responsible for cancer. Yet, further research is required to confirm these claims conclusively. A well-balanced diet, healthy lifestyle choices, and medical advice are still essential for cancer prevention and overall well-being.
Mitigating High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, and Cholesterol
Finally, a study conducted in 2022 has found that drinking alkaline water for a period of three to six months can result in decreased blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipid levels. This means that alkaline water may be helpful in managing conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and cholesterol.
Potential Risks of Alkaline Water
There may be some risks with drinking alkaline water for people with chronic kidney disease. Especially when the disease is caused by high blood pressure or heart disease, excess fluid can actually be harmful. However, this risk exists with all forms of water – not just alkaline water.
How to Benefit from Alkaline Water?
In conclusion, while further research is needed to consolidate the impacts of alkaline water on our health, the studies mentioned above provide evidence of its benefits, on condition that the water is of high quality and free from contaminants.
Thus, if you are looking to reap the benefits of alkaline water, you may consider buying it in bottled form. However, purchasing water bottles can be costly, and it is worth noting that bottled water is not necessarily safer than tap water.
Fortunately, there is a more sustainable and dependable option available: installing a reverse osmosis system. Indeed, this system removes any potential contaminants from your water before re-mineralizing it, providing you with all the benefits of alkaline water.
If you are looking for the best solution for high-quality water, mineral-rich water, Kent Water Purification Systems is here to guide you. Feel free to visit our website or contact our experts and book a free water test to assess your needs. We will be more than happy to help you!
