Alkaline water contains pH-balancing and ultra-hydrating abilities. But before you start drinking this drink, know more on the chemistry behind it.
Alkaline water is different from tap as it is less acidic, and has a pH over 7, which means that it has a lower concentration of hydrogen ions, according to Alyse Levine, R.D., the founder of the Eating Reset Plan.
Alkaline water can be consumed from various sources, which includes special filters, additives and faucet attachments that raise the pH. One of the most common and convenient ways, though, is through bottled water, which can be sold at most grocery stores.
Health Benefits of Alkaline Water:
1. Antioxidant Benefits
Alkaline water is a natural antioxidant which can help to neutralize harmful radicals in your body. Also, laboratory studies have reported the antioxidant potential of alkaline water.
In a 2006 study that was published in the journal Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, alkaline water reported potent antioxidant activity when mixed with vitamin C.
2. Boost Your Immune System
Alkaline water is filled with antioxidants, therefore drinking it can help boost your immune system, and you will be less likely to catch flu or colds, and even reduce the risks of developing more serious conditions such as cancer, thus helping your body to fight off disease and heal itself.
The water can help in neutralizing damaging free radicals and convert them into oxygen to be used for energy production and tissue oxygenation.
3. Bone Health
Alkaline water could help improve bone health. A 2014 observational study, that was published in the journal BMJ, linked a high milk intake to a higher risk of fractures amongst women.
It is thought that alkaline water is a safer dietary source of calcium, as compared to dairy or milk. In a 2009 study, that was published in the journal Bone, researchers discovered that alkaline water significantly reduced two markers, that were linked with bone loss—PTH and S-CTX—in 30 female dieticians.
4. Better Digestion
Acidity can interfere with the normal digestive process, when an overproduction of stomach acids results from alcohol, spicy foods, stress, overeating and other factors, the acids often go back into the esophagus, thus resulting in acid reflux which causes heartburn.
Frequent episodes can even do permanent damage on the walls of the esophagus, or worse, trigger cancers. Acidity is often accompanied by other problems such as nausea, bloating, indigestion or vomiting.
By including alkalizing water in your diet, along with more alkalizing foods, these can help neutralize the effects of acid, thus supporting better digestion.
5. Helpful for Detoxification Process
Detoxification is very important for removing the accumulation of harmful toxins in your body. Toxic overload can lead to low energy, chronic fatigue, mental confusion, bloating, food sensitivities and inflammation.
Drinking alkaline water can help detox your body of heavy metals, such as mercury. In a 2003 study that was published in the journal Ambio, researchers found that alkaline water had a protective effect against mercury in 43 women participants who lived in an alkaline-rich area in Sweden.
6. Improve Your Energy Levels
Drinking adequate amount of water is known to improve energy levels, because a dehydrated body is a fatigued body. Alkaline water helps deliver nutrients to your body more efficiently, as compared to traditional tap water. Therefore, it provides you with more energy for the rest of the day.
7. Weight Loss
It may be helpful and beneficial to include alkaline water in your weight loss plan. In a 2011 preliminary study that was published in the journal Original Internist, researchers found that obese individuals who drank at least 2 liters of alkaline water daily, lost an average of 12 pounds in over 2 months.
In a 52-week study that was published in the International Journal of Experimental Pathology in 2001, rats that drank water that contains the highest pH level lost the most weight.