Lifestyle

Alkaline Water Benefits: Fully Explained

By: Tony Agida - @inquirerdotnet

Inquirer Los Angeles / 11:49 AM November 30, 2022

Although there’s still the argument about how many glasses the average human should take in a day, water is very important for a healthy life. Several studies highlight why it’s necessary to stay hydrated and how it improves your mood, productivity, and energy level. But, did you know alkaline water has even more benefits?

We pay little or no attention to the type of water we drink. Although many people don’t know the different types of water, they have at least heard about alkaline water, which is especially used by bottled water companies.

This article thoroughly explains alkaline water and the health benefits it has over regular drinking water.

What is Alkaline Water?

In simple terms, Alkaline-type water is water that has a more potential Hydrogen (pH) level than regular tap water. The pH level of any substance is the concentration of hydrogen ions in it.

If it has a lower concentration of hydrogen, that means its pH level is low, and more hydrogen concentration means a higher pH level.

If you didn’t miss elementary science class, you would probably remember that the pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. Anything below 7 (0 to 6.9) is acidic, anything above 7 (7.1 to 14) is basic, and 7 remains the neutral pH.

The pH level of a compound can also be slightly acidic or basic or highly acidic or basic, depending on where they fall on the scale. The word “Alkaline” is most times used in place of “basic” with the belief that they both mean the same thing.

But this is not true. Alkaline compounds refer to certain basic minerals that, when added to water, have the potential to increase their pH level. Your regular drinking water falls right on 7 on the pH scale, while the other water is around 8 and 9 on the pH scale.

What makes Alkaline Water special?

There is a popular belief that most illnesses are a result of Acidic properties in the body. So it is only logical that water with a higher pH level would neutralize this and bring balance. And a balanced acid-base level equals good health.

Alkaline water contains 4 major minerals that give it its health benefits, they include:

Calcium: Strengthens bones and tissue formation and keeps a healthy heart.
Magnesium: Helps in the digestion of carbohydrates. And handles over 300 biochemical reactions in the body.
Sodium: Helps to balance blood pressure and also ease muscular functions.
Potassium: Also a great mineral for muscular functions and aids easy digestion.

It has several health benefits ranging from weight loss to cancer prevention. As much as we would like all these to be facts, they still remain unproven myths. And so, I’ll be sticking to only the proven benefits below.

6 Benefits of Drinking Alkaline Water

Listed below are the advantages this type of water.

Drinking alkaline water helps to:

Improve Bone Health

All research carried out to study the effects of Alkaline water on bone strength ended with good results. A study by Roux et al. [38] concluded that “consumption of alkaline water improves bone health and prevents osteoporosis.”

Another study in the scientific journal bone also concluded that the water, rich in bicarbonate, had a positive effect on bone resorption. Bone resorption refers to the process where bone cells break down to create new bone cells. This process generally makes the bone weaker.

A decrease in the rate of resorption and an increase in mineral density would lead to stronger bones. This study also deduced that bicarbonate- and calcium-rich alkali mineral water had a better effect on bone resorption than calcium-rich acidic mineral water.

Soothe Acid Reflux

Taking alkaline water does a pretty great job of reducing Acid Reflux. The research found in Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology deduced that alkaline water with a pH of 8.8 would help to kill off pepsin.

Pepsin is the enzyme responsible for the breakdown of protein and the major cause of Acid Reflux. Acid Reflux refers to a situation where the acidic content of the stomach splashes back onto the food pipe.

Reoccurrence of this could lead to gastro-esophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD. So people who consumed alkaline water stood a lesser chance of suffering from GERD.

Reduce High Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, and Cholesterol

A study carried out by scientists in Shanghai in 2016 discovered that after 6 months of drinking Alkaline water, people suffering from High Blood Pressure (HBP or hypertension), high blood sugar (diabetes), and high blood lipids (cholesterol) experienced and alleviation in each of their illnesses.

This is because the high pH level of Alkaline water breaks down the viscosity of blood, making flow easier and making it harder to reserve lipids.

Enhance Hydration

Biology of sports published a study in 2016 which says drinking alkaline water during aerobics helps hydration status. And also reduces urine specific gravity and the pH of urine afterward.

Apart from being a great enhancer of hydration, it is also an important factor in acid-base balance. And also regulate energy level for healthy and active adults.

Increase Longevity

In 2016 a Study was carried out using 150 mice over a period of 3 years. It was deduced that the mice that were fed with alkaline water had more longevity compared to their counterparts fed with regular water.

In simpler terms; the mice fed with Alkaline wart aged less and stood a greater chance at living longer.

The organs of all the mice after death had no significant adverse effect caused by Alkaline water. This means that Alkaline water reduces aging in humans and has no adverse effect on our organs.

Is Drinking Alkaline Water Good for You?

There is still an argument among several scientists about the several health benefits of alkaline water. Some scientists are of the opinion that these benefits are nothing but unproven claims.

Other scientists say there is no way alkaline water can possibly neutralize acidic levels in the body, however, several studies suggests that this water has advantages over regular drinking water.

Generally, alkaline water is safe for drinking, and comes with several benefits.

Expert Recommendation: Alkaline Water

Finding a brand that checks all the boxes for pure and healthy water may be challenging, as there are several factors to consider before making that purchase.

After carefully researching the best brands while considering prices, ingredients, feel, PH level, and taste, Icelandic Alkaline Water is the ultimate winner.

Sourced from the Ölfus Spring in Iceland and manufactured using industry-leading processes, this brand delivers naturally water with no additives while ensuring that both production and operation procedures are 100% carbon neutral.