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Author: April Schroeder
Like you, staying healthy is a top priority, and we spend time researching all the current fads. Alkaline water is the latest on the scene. The claimed benefits of drinking this water sound appealing. But how can you know what is fact or fiction?
As experts in the water industry, we stay apprised of these trends. We will provide the information you need to make the healthiest hydration choices.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about alkaline water. Plus, we will provide a simple alternative that you can make at home!
You may remember from chemistry class that elements can be acidic or alkaline. The level of each is determined by the pH scale which ranges from 0-14. Things that are acidic have a low pH and alkaline a high pH. As such, alkaline water has a high pH level when compared to other types of water. Here is a helpful comparison:
Proponents claim that drinking it can reduce the level of acid in the body. High acidity levels are an indicator of poor health. But, according to Healthline.com, “it’s nearly impossible to grossly alter the pH level of your blood by eating or drinking certain foods or liquids.”
Granted, a benefit may come from not adding acid to the body. However, there may be better ways to do this as the pH levels between most types of water are nominal for the average person.
Every article about the topic lists a myriad of health benefits including:
At first glance, it sounds impressive. But, we found it difficult to decipher what made it different from drinking regular water. One could list most of these same health benefits when referring to standard drinking water. There are also extreme claims like alkaline water can cure cancer. This is such a serious claim and so far outside our scope of expertise that we choose to leave it to the medical doctors. It is dangerous to do otherwise.
All of our research concluded that alkaline water is safe to drink. There are a few side effects that you should note.
Cleveland Clinic put it well in this quote from their article, Alkaline Water, Don’t Believe all the Hype: “Hydration is crucial for health, of course. However, because credible research backing the benefits of alkaline water is lacking, we recommend sticking with plain water”
If you worry about the level of acid in your drinking water, we recommend natural remedies. You can make your drinking water more alkaline by adding baking soda. First, make sure that you start with distilled water to reduce the number of additives. Then, add about ⅛ tsp of baking soda to 8 ounces of water and stir.
In conclusion, although alkaline water is safe to drink, you should not rely on it for its proposed health benefits. And as Beth Czerwony MS, RD, LD, a Cleveland Clinic registered dietitian puts it, “Water is great, just drink it. Don’t fancify it.”
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Thank you to all of our sources: