Water is very essential for the human body and hence daily intake recommendation is eight-ounce glasses of water every day to stay fit. However, the question is which type of water should we drink? Is it filtered water or RO water or tap water? Now whichever water type you prefer, it should be alkaline filtered water.
Let’s check if you can improve your health with alkaline water!
Alkaline water, or in other words, ionized water means the water with increased pH levels. If the substance’s pH level falls between 0-6, it means it is acidic and if falls between 8-12, it shows its alkalinity.
Water has a neutral pH. Now alkaline water cannot be alkaline based on its pH scale, however, in order to make it alkaline it must contain minerals like magnesium, calcium, and negative oxidation-reduction potential (ORP).
Natural spring water is the best source of alkaline water as compared to tap water. Natural alkaline water occurs when water travels through rocks and thus obtains minerals that raise the alkalinity of water.
If you have more acidic pH levels throughout the body, alkaline water overcomes the acidic effect and restricts numerous health concerns.
Following are the benefits you can expect once you start sipping on alkaline water:
1. Detoxifying your body
The detoxification process is just sipping the ionized water to avoid the accumulated harmful toxins.
Besides this, excessive toxins might also make you feel lethargic, depressed, and cause inflammation, sensitivity, and bloating.
Moreover, alkaline water also works as a wonderful antioxidant to prevent the premature aging process.
Hence, daily consumption of alkaline water removes acidic waste products from the bloodstream and boosts your energy level and metabolism.
2. Relieves acid reflux
Acid reflux features as burning effect in the lower chest area after eating something because of excess acid flow in the esophagus which leads to heartburn and indigestion.
Alkaline water benefits due to its acid buffering activity and neutralizes the effect of the enzyme pepsin which causes acid reflux.
3. Regulate your BP
Alkaline water helps to lower the systolic blood viscosity and it would not be wrong to say alkaline water manages the high BP.
4. Promote bone health
As mentioned above, Alkaline water is said to have minerals like magnesium and calcium which influence the overall bone mineral density and treat osteoporosis.
5. Strengthen immunity
It is important to balance pH levels in the body as imbalanced pH causes your cells to suffocate and eventually die.
Alkaline water might help you to normalize the pH levels and support your immune system to defend against diseases.
6. Better heart health
What proves alkaline water benefits a healthy heart? Calcium and Magnesium. These minerals are necessary for heartbeat regulation as calcium causes heart muscles contraction and magnesium relaxes the muscles.
7. Oxygenates and energizes the body
Water is a powerful nutrient but alkaline water makes it more superior. A higher concentration of hydroxyl ions energizes all body tissues.
Secondly, alkaline water seeks out harmful free radicals and converts them into oxygen which raises the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the bloodstream.
Oxygen deficiency makes them more susceptible to chronic illnesses because of the highly acidic environment in the body.
If an alkaline environment exists in the body, cancer cells can’t survive.
How to Produce Alkaline water?
Using a household ingredient baking soda
We know Baking soda or Sodium bicarbonate has a pH of 9 which is the easiest way to alkalize water.
For that, take ½ teaspoon of baking soda mixed with 125 ml of water and stir it vigorously till the soda is dissolved. Now your alkaline water is ready to drink.
You might experience a bitter taste if you use it in large quantities.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice is an important part of the alkaline diet. Although it is acidic in nature, it converts into alkaline once metabolized.
You just need to add a lemon slice in half water jug and your alkaline water is ready to sip.
pH drops
pH drops are the liquids containing enough quantity of minerals and electrolytes which absolutely make your water ionized.
You just need to add two drops to each glass and it could be the better alternative over baking soda or lemon juice.
Water filtration system
Filters have now become the mandatory system to remove contaminants. These filters have mineral balls that release magnesium and calcium into the water to raise the alkalinity of water.
Water ionizer
This is the most steady way to get alkaline water by using electrodes. It works on electrolysis phenomenon which separates water positive and negative electrodes.
No need to add any chemical to the water but it is quite an expensive technique.
Can too much Alkaline water cause any adverse effects?
Considering above all the benefits, alkaline water is very much safe to drink.
However, excess alkalinity in the body can be detrimental to health and the following side effects can be seen.
- Drop down the stomach acid level
Stomach acid has the potential to break the food we eat to absorb the nutrients. So when excess alkalinity in the stomach raises the pH level and thus, it impacts the absorption of the nutrients.
Sometimes, it can raise gastrointestinal issues as too much alkalinity disturbs the pH level and causes metabolic alkalosis.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Mental confusion
- Dizziness
- Tingling sensation on hands, feet, and legs
- Muscle cramps