Is alkaline water is replacing all other forms of bottled water?

And truth about drinking different kinds of water

There are many kinds of water brands available in the market that it has become difficult to pick the right one to get benefits. Currently, the purists are betting on alkaline water to be the healthiest on the planet. But it is yet to replace other forms of bottled water. We examine the truth related to it vis a vis other kinds of drinking water. It will help us to determine which one is ideal for our wellness.

Why is drinking water so important for us?

We need to know a background about drinking water, as 78% of human body is liquid in nature. All cells need water to survive and thrive. Our organs need it to work at an optimum level and the brain needs it to help concentrate. Water regulates the blood circulation, lubricates the joints, muscles and lends glow to the hair and skin too. When we drink water all nutrients are absorbed and used by the stomach for digestion. The body temperature is regulated by water.  It is critical to drink water but the right kind makes the difference in our well being. Our body needs to be slightly alkaline, and should sit around pH 7.8.

Commonly ways of drinking and issues

Tap water- Tap water is a healthier option than soft drinks. Normal tap water is neutral and sits around 6 and 7 on the scale.

Bottled water- Bottled water is not necessarily healthier than tap water and yet it costs much more! Often the only difference is the added minerals which have no proven health benefits. Bottled water can also be slightly acidic, which may affect your body’s pH balance.

Reverse osmosis water-It is a filtering process which may be effective in areas that do not receive municipally treated water and is commonly used in bottled water facilities. Reverse osmosis removes healthy, naturally occurring water minerals. When stripped of these minerals, water can be unhealthy. Also, 2-3 gallons of water are wasted for every gallon of purified water produced.

What is alkaline water and its dynamics in wellness?

The “alkaline” refers to the pH level. The pH level measures the alkaline or acidic nature of a liquid and ranges from 0 to 14. Acidic levels are at the bottom end and alkaline levels at the top. Alkaline water occurs naturally in the world. In fact, most water will be slightly alkaline in nature, due to the rocks it passes over. Water from the Himalayan rocks are always considered the best. Those that run through springs will usually pick up minerals, increasing the pH value. 

How safe is alkaline water to consume?

The safety will really depend on the method of turning water more alkaline. Nobody really knows the long-term effects, and doctors and even the World Health Organisation tend to recommend avoiding using them. There is certainly nothing wrong with adding a few drops of lemon or lime to your water. This has been recommended by health and lifestyle gurus for years, and not because of the alkaline water benefits. The two ingredients have been linked to so many other health benefits that it doesn’t make sense not to use them. The use of alkaline water is a controversial topic and one you certainly need to research. Some health professionals recommend staying away from the water altogether! They say drinking regular tap water is sufficient.

However, alkaline water is considered a safe option to drink, especially if you make it at home from natural ingredients. There are concerns that artificially created water will not have all the minerals your body needs, and the pH levels could end up being too high. There is also a worry that people will overuse the water as some tap water could be beneficial to avoid becoming deficient in some minerals. Now that you know the possible risks and how to make it, it’s time to look at the health benefits alkaline water offers. Those who claim its health benefits are companies making it.

Who is saying alkaline water is useful?

It will be natural for manufacturers to claim that this water is the best in the market. On what basis do they claim? They speak to doctors, health experts and nutritionists who provide their expertise. Then the manufacturers get celebrities to endorse the same claim. So how much is genuine and how much is fake? Unfortunately there is no major research to show that alkaline water is any better than the other bottled water. In fact this water is also harmful to the plants. It may be fine to reduce the acid content by drinking alkaline water but it cannot be overused. Up to two litres of alkaline water, a day should be fine on a regular basis, and has shown no adverse effects in research. It will also depend on how the alkaline water is made. Water made naturally is going to be less harmful, because there are not other chemicals at work counteracting against minerals and other ingredients.

Acidic food tends to play havoc with digestion. Think about the stuff that you’re more likely to eat on a daily basis, like fruits, yoghurts and milk. how you feel after a big cheesy, meaty pizza or those spicy curries. You can end up feeling a little worse in the hours afterwards, as your body deals with the consequences. Refined sugar, processed foods and even meat are linked to making the body overproduce the acid. By drinking alkaline water, you are more likely to neutralise the stomach content. This is a major benefit to those who find acid reflux is a terrible pain throughout the day and night. The water will also help to neutralise the acid, so even if it does travel up it is less likely to burn! It’s certainly worth a try if you are a reflux sufferer. Drinking alkaline water isn’t just about getting more hydration. The benefits come also from following the alkaline diet. 

Health professionals state that high levels of acid are dangerous, and lead to osteoporosis and various chronic conditions. Some even believe that they can lead to cancer as the cells can end up damaged and repair in the wrong way. Just think of the benefits that you could face by creating a more neutral body. The intestines are alkaline, and foods turn alkaline once they reach this section of the digestive tract. The food does not affect the blood’s pH level so drinking alkaline water should have no affect on that at all. That means the idea of alkaline water helping to cure cancer could be debunked quickly, but surely there is also a placebo effect? If someone thinks they are more likely to be healthy, they could actually make themselves healthy. 

Will you be able to decide which water will be useful to maintain your well being?