Alkaline water is different from regular drinking water due to its pH level. The pH level is a number that measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is on a scale from 0 to 14. For example, something with a pH of 1 is very acidic, while something with a pH of 13 is very alkaline.
Alkaline water has a higher pH than regular water. For this reason, it neutralizes acid in the body. Regular water generally has a neutral pH of 7, while alkaline water typically has a pH of 8 or 9.
Some researchers claim that this water helps slow down the aging process, regulates the pH level in the body, and prevents chronic diseases such as cancer.
Alkaline water acts as an antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals. It effectively neutralizes and blocks the negative action of free radicals. Additionally, it transforms free radicals into oxygen that the body can use to produce energy. Cancer cells cannot survive in an oxygenated, alkaline environment.
There are several studies suggesting that alkaline water may be beneficial for certain conditions.
For example, a 2012 study found that drinking alkaline water with a pH of 8.8 can help deactivate pepsin, which is the main enzyme that causes acid reflux.
Another study showed that alkaline beverages may have benefits for individuals with high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
A more recent study involving 100 participants found a significant difference in blood viscosity after consuming high pH water compared to regular water following intense exercise. Viscosity is a direct measurement of blood flow through vessels. Those who consumed high pH water reduced viscosity by 6.3%, compared to 3.36% with standard purified drinking water. This means that blood flowed more efficiently in those who drank alkaline water, potentially leading to increased oxygen delivery throughout the body.
However, more research is needed beyond these small studies.
Alkaline water has the ability to alkalinize, thus supporting the proper functioning of the body and potentially being involved in a range of processes: waste elimination, proper digestive system function, neutralization, ensuring optimal fluid levels, and consequently adequate hydration.
Researchers believe that alkaline water also offers other health benefits, such as:
anti-aging properties (through liquid antioxidants that are absorbed more quickly in the body)
colon cleansing properties
immune system support
hydrating the skin and keeping it healthy
detoxification properties
weight loss
anti-cancer properties
It is recommended to consume alkaline water during intense physical exertion, as the acidity resulting from intense muscle activity exacerbates feelings of fatigue, and alkalinization helps alleviate this.
Attention! Although alkaline water is considered safe, it can produce some side effects. Some unwanted effects of alkaline water include a decrease in natural stomach acidity, which helps destroy bacteria and prevents other pathogens from entering the bloodstream.
If you have kidney function issues, excessive alkalinization of the body can lead to the accumulation of certain minerals and hinder their proper functioning. However, it is not the pH of the water that is responsible, but the minerals. It is not the water itself, but a pre-existing, undetected internal condition that has caused this situation. Therefore, it is important that when an imbalance occurs, the cause and source are sought and analyzed.
Additionally, excessive alkalinity in the body can cause gastrointestinal problems and skin irritations. Too much alkalinity can disturb the normal pH of the body, leading to metabolic alkalosis, a condition that can produce the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, hand tremors, tingling in the extremities or face, and confusion. Alkalosis can lead to a decrease in calcium in the body, which can affect bone health. However, the most common cause of hypocalcemia is not caused by alkaline water, but by having an underactive parathyroid gland.
