We all know that drinking plenty of water every day will help the body survive and ward off illness. In reality, adequate hydration is required for nearly all bodily functions. Now, however, a substance known as alkaline water is causing a stir, with advocates suggesting that it can help to regulate the body’s pH, increase energy, and prevent disease.
Their hypothesis is that acidic conditions encourage bacterial growth, so eating a more alkaline (less acidic) diet would keep harmful bugs at bay. Unfortunately, the hypothesis is flawed since acids are commonly used to destroy bacteria.
Q: What is alkaline water, exactly?
A: The term “alkaline” refers to a pH range. The lower the number, the more acidic it is, while the higher the number, the more alkaline it is, with 7 being neutral. The pH of most alkaline waters is 8 or 9, while the pH of pure water is 7. The theory is that drinking alkaline water helps to even out the body’s acidity.
Q: Does alkaline water affect the body’s pH balance?
A: Not really. Most of the time, your blood maintains a pH of 7; it falls right within the middle of the pH . What you eat and drink only alters the pH of your urine. So once you drink alkaline water, you’ll change the pH of what’s in your bowl , not your blood. Plus, when the alkaline water you drink hits your stomach, the acids in your gut neutralize it. So essentially, you’re paying tons of cash to drink something that won’t affect your body’s acidity.
Q: Is regular water alkaline?
A: Pure water features a pH of seven , so like your blood, it’s neutral. Water from the faucet varies in its pH, typically ranging between 6.5-8.5. It also contains important minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, bicarbonate and silica. In fact, depending where water is sourced, it can provide between 1 and 20 percent of your daily calcium and magnesium requirements. water is more alkaline and features a higher mineral content than soft.
Q: Can drinking alkaline water help minimize acid reflux symptoms?
A: There are a couple of studies that suggest drinking alkaline water inactivates pepsin, the enzyme liable for acid reflux. But these studies wiped out a Petri dish , not humans, so there’s really no telling how alkaline water will affect patients with acid reflux.
Q: Can drinking alkaline water cause problems?
A: Drinking a bottle of alkaline water every other day won’t significantly affect your body. However, if you drink a gallon of alkaline water daily, your body has to exert effort to take care of its pH which means over time, your body will produce more gastric juices and digestive enzymes. For people that have a kidney condition or who are taking medication that alters their kidney function, the minerals in alkaline water could start to accumulate in their bodies.