We all know the importance of drinking water. But many don’t know the wonders of drinking alkaline water.
Overtime, acidity builds up in our bodies in a myriad of ways. Things like planetary pollution, poor diet, and excessive stress raise your internal acidity level and cause ailments.
Drinking alkaline water with a pH of 7 and above could balance out your body’s acidity level and improve your overall health.
Keep reading to learn more about alkaline water and its endless benefits.
Artificial Alkaline Water V. Natural Alkaline Water
Before we go over the benefits of alkaline water, let’s talk about the difference between natural and artificial alkaline water.
Artificial Alkaline Water
Artificial alkaline water goes through a chemical process called electrolysis. This method uses an ionizer to increase the pH of plain water. Ionizers use electricity to filter out the acidic water molecules.
Artificially alkaline water may also be enhanced with alkaline compounds like minerals and salts.
Some claim that ionization doesn’t do a good job at removing contaminants in the water. Also, many argue that processed alkaline water isn’t beneficial at all.
How do you get alkaline water that is also free from contaminants and good for you? With naturally alkaline water filtered using reverse osmosis.
Natural Alkaline Filtered Water
Natural mineral alkaline water doesn’t go through a chemical process like artificial alkaline water.
Instead, it’s produced using a natural alkaline mineral filter. This method infuses water with minerals without the use of chemicals.
Some brands of alkaline water also undergo a reverse osmosis purification process. This process removes contaminants like heavy metals, fluoride, and microplastics.
10 Benefits of Drinking Alkaline Water
Now that you know the basics about the two types of alkaline water. Let’s get into why it’s good for your health.
1.Reduced Acid Reflux
One 2012 study found that drinking alkaline water with a pH of 8.8 helped deactivated pepsin, the primary enzyme that causes acid reflux, or GERD.
2.Increased Nutrient Absorption
Over-the-counter treatments and prescribed GERD medications hinder your body from absorbing key nutrients.
By balancing stomach acid levels with alkaline water, you reduce the need for acid reflux medicine. This then allows your body to absorb more vitamins and minerals.
3.Improves Cardiovascular Health
Another study found that drinking alkaline water can reduce blood viscosity. Less blood viscosity means that it flows more efficiently. This increases oxygen delivery throughout the body — especially your arteries.
4.Balances Out Effects of Coffee
Coffee lovers are all too familiar with the negative effects of coffee — ahem, the sudden urge to head to the bathroom.
Turns out coffee has a pH of around 4.3-4.7. This is one of the components responsible for its strong diuretic effect.
Drinking alkaline water helps to balance excess acid and fights dehydration caused by coffee.
5.Increases Energy Levels
Too much acidity in your body can make you feel sluggish and weighed down. Many have reported that regularly drinking alkaline water gives them a boost in energy.
It’s believed that alkaline water helps to bring your body to a balanced state, which improves your energy levels.
6.Slows Aging Process
Mineralized alkaline water contains powerful antioxidants that act as free radical neutralizers. Free radical damage causes cellular breakdown and could cause your body to age faster.
One 2016 study looked at the effect of alkaline water on mice. It was suggested that the mice who consumed alkaline water aged less and were more likely to live longer.
7.Helps Prevent Stomach Bugs
Harmful pathogens thrive in an acidic environment. If your body’s pH isn’t balanced, you have an increased chance of becoming sick from harmful bacteria in food.
Consuming alkaline water balances the acidity in your stomach. This helps to fight foodborne pathogens.
8.Provides Extra Hydration
Alkaline water contains minerals that give your body an extra boost of hydration. Trace minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium balance electrolytes and prevent dehydration.
One 2017 study found that drinking alkaline water was associated with decreased electrolyte loss and increased hydration status after anaerobic exercise.
Instead of reaching for a sugary sports drink after a workout, opt for alkaline water.
9.Reduces Toxins in Your Body
Both regular tap water and some bottled water can contain harmful contaminants like lead and arsenic.
However, water filtered through a mineral alkaline and reverse osmosis system is clean and pure. So, you don’t have to worry about ingesting toxic materials.
10.Improves Skin Appearance
An imbalanced pH in your body can show up on your skin. A healthy skin barrier has a pH of about 5.
With excess acid in your body, your skin’s pH gets thrown out of whack. This shows up as skin irritation, redness, itching, dryness, and breakouts.
However, drinking alkaline water helps balance your body’s pH levels thus keeping your skin healthy and glowing.
Bottom Line About Natural Alkaline Water
Alkaline water works by bringing your body total balance. This in turn improves your health and increases your overall well-being.