There has been a lot of hype about drinking alkaline water and more so the health benefits that this water offers. But is all that is being said about this water true? Well, some of the things are true, while others cannot be supported by solid scientific proof. So, what is alkaline water? How does it affect your health? Is it healthy or hoax?
Most people have not understood what alkaline water is. That is what we are going to look out in this post. We are going to look at some of the key facts about alkaline water and the main pros and cons that you need to know about this water.
What Is Alkaline Water?
Alkaline water is defined based on the pH scale. If you have studied the pH scale a little, you already know that it starts from zero to 14. Alkaline is water that has a higher pH value, which is above 7. However, the most recommended alkaline water for drinking is between 8.5 and 9.5. At this pH, the water is tasty, but as you go upward, it becomes bitter. So, that is what alkaline water is based on chemistry principles.
How Does Alkaline Water Work?
One of the biggest health benefits, according to the proponents of alkaline water, is making our bodies less acidic or alkaline. That is true because of its higher pH value. So, this water work by reducing the acid levels in the body.
Acidic bodies to be the biggest reasons why various health conditions, especially lifestyle diseases, have been on the rise. Human blood pH is approximately 7.4, which is slightly alkaline; it needs to be kept at that value. So, when the body becomes too acidic, then the body is exposed to severe health risks. One of them is cancer, where most cancers are believed to thrive in acidic conditions.
Therefore, taking alkaline water helps to make the body alkaline and, more so, maintain the pH of the blood. That is why proponents of this water believe that it can prevent and heal medical conditions associated with acidic bodies.
Is There Scientific Proof About Alkaline Water?
There are many things that the proponents of alkaline water have said, but there is very little reliable data prove them. One of the widely mentioned things is that alkaline water can help reduce the risk of cancer. Although the theory tags on the ability of the water to make the body alkaline, there is no scientific proof to support this argument. However, some studies have should that drinking alkaline water for 3 to 6 months can help lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood glucose.
Where To Find Alkaline Water
There two ways that you can get alkaline water- artificial alkaline water and natural spring water. For the artificial alkaline water, the regular tap water is passed through an ionizing machine to make it alkaline. The machine uses the electrolysis process to raise the pH level of the water passing through it.
For the natural spring water, this water comes from the natural springs, where water passes through the soil and rocks, hence raising its pH. Natural spring water also contains other essential minerals that may not be found in the artificially alkalized water.
Pros Of Alkaline Water
Antioxidant and detoxing: Alkaline water helps to reduce oxidants and toxins in the body by flushing them out. Oxidants are free radicals in the body that are believed to cause various health conditions, including cancer. For toxins, they come from the food we eat and the by-products of our body cells. Alkaline water helps to flush them out.
Cardio Boost: Alkaline hydrates the body hence improving the rate of metabolism. That is how your cardio boost is achieved. With an increased cardio boost, you burn more fat, which results in weight reduction.
Soothes Acid Reflux: Alkaline water neutralizes the acid in the body. So, it will help reduce acid reflux and heartburn.
Cons Of Alkaline Water
Stomach and Blood pH: drinking too much alkaline water can affect your blood and stomach pH. So, you might start having problems with your digestion, amongst other health issues.
Cost: It is costly to rely on alkaline. You will need to buy a costly ionizing machine or water filters that produce alkaline water.
Drinking alkaline water is good, but you need to take it in a measured amount to avoid tampering with blood and stomach pH. Besides, most of the said health benefits of alkalized water have solid scientific proof to support the.