“Why would I pay over a $1.50 for a bottle of water?” runs though the head of a lot of people when looking at the price of alkaline water. A lot of us don’t know exactly what alkaline water is. Sure, we've been seeing the “hotep-ers” and nutrition gurus ranting and raving about how we need to drink it, but what is it really?
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Alkaline, in its plainest terms, refers to the pH level in water. pH measures how acidic or basic the water is. Essentially, pH measures the amount of free hydrogen and hydroxyl ions present in the water. Water with more free hydrogen ions are classified as acidic, while water with more free hydroxyl ions is basic. The pH is measured on a scale of 0-14 (0 being the most acidic and 14 being the most basic). The average pH in tap water is generally rated a 7, making it neutral on the pH scale. Alkaline water typically has a pH level of 8 or 9 according to Healthline.
There is an ongoing debate about the health benefits of alkaline water. Some say it can help fight cancer, decrease the risk of osteoporosis and improve mental focus. But currently there are no peer reviewed studies that solidify these claims.
One of alkaline water’s biggest benefits is its ability to neutralize the acid in your body. A 2012 study says alkaline water with a pH of 8.8 can decrease the effects of acid reflux. Pepsin, an enzyme responsible for breaking down the proteins in your food and also the main culprit of acid reflux, is killed by this alkaline water.
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If you have a kidney condition it’s recommended that you don't drink alkaline water, as it may impair the kidney’s functioning further. The mineral content in the body could lead to life threatening effects.
How to Make Your Own Alkaline Water
If you want to save some money and make your own alkaline water here’s how. Natural alkaline water is made when spring water passes over rocks, making it more alkaline in the process. Adding a few drops of lemon or lime to your water can alkalize your water. You can also purchase pH drops from health food stores to make your water more alkaline. It’s best to use distilled water when making your own alkaline water. Bottled or tap water may have other additives. You can also purchase an ionizer that makes alkaline water through a process called electrolysis.
Bottled Waters - How Do They Measure Up?
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Dasani- pH between 5.0-7.0
Aquafina- -ph between 5.5-7.0
SmartWater- ph of 7.0
Evian- pH of 7.2
Fiji Water- pH of 7.7
Eternal Water- ph between 7.8-8.2
Iceland Spring- ph of 8.8
Waikea- pH of 8.8
Essentia - pH of 9.5
The jury is still out on alkaline water. Scientists and researchers alike are still finding out the true benefits of it. It seems to help out people with acid reflux, and harm those with impaired kidney function. Who knows its true value. I don’t know about you, but I feel better when I drink alkaline water. What do you think?
