What are the Pros and Cons of Alkaline Water? The potential benefits of drinking alkaline water include restoring balance to acidity levels, better hydration, and easing acid reflux. Potential disadvantages include reduced stomach acidity, cost, and little scientific research in the area.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF ALKALINE WATER?
The key potential alkaline water benefits and disadvantages are: reduction of acidity levels, easing acid reflux, improved hydration, boosting bone health, and its anti-oxidative effect.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF ALKALINE WATER
When discussing the pros and cons of alkaline water we are discussing potential benefits and disadvantages. Many health claims have been made by advocates of alkaline water but the scientific evidence to back up these claims has not been established. Below we take a look at the ‘potential benefits’ in more detail.
PROS: ADVANTAGES OF DRINKING ALKALINE WATER
REDUCES ACIDITY LEVELS
Fans of alkaline water believe it reduces acidity levels in the body. This is an attractive benefit to anyone who feels their acidity levels are too high.
Enthusiasts claim that drinking alkaline water will neutralize excess acidity levels and restore a natural balance to the body and bloodstream.
Although this is a very popular feature of alkaline water there is no hard evidence to back up this claim.
EASES ACID REFLUX
It is believed that drinking alkaline water can soothe acid reflux. Also known as heartburn, this is a painful condition that involves stomach acid passing from the stomach up through the esophagus.
Consuming alkaline water may ease reflux by deactivating a stomach enzyme called pepsin. Pepsin plays a key role in acid reflux and inhibiting this enzyme eases reflux and its unpleasant symptoms.
Frequent acid reflux can lead to a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
IMPROVES HYDRATION
Alkaline water enthusiasts believe it delivers better hydration results compared to standard drinking water. Drinking alkaline water after exercise may speed up recovery by rehydrating the body more efficiently and more quickly compared to regular water.
In fact, a study published by the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition in 2016 found that drinking electrolyzed alkaline water after strenuous exercise resulted in significantly better rehydration compared to regular water.
ANTIOXIDANT EFFECT
Alkaline water has a negative ORP. This means it has an anti-oxidative effect. Antioxidants have a positive effect on your health by neutralizing free radicals.
Free radicals are unstable molecules. They react with cells in our bodies causing pain and illness. The damage they cause is known as oxidative stress.
Antioxidants, such as alkaline water, neutralize these harmful molecular particles by transferring electrons.
ORP stands for oxidation-reduction potential. It is a measure of how oxidizing or reducing a liquid is. Alkaline water has a strongly negative ORP.
BONE HEALTH
Alkaline water may be good for your bone health. The Mayo Clinic has said, “studies suggest it might help slow bone loss, but it’s not clear if the benefit is maintained over the long term.”
While enthusiasts champion the bone health benefits of alkaline water more research is needed to verify these claims.
GREAT WITH COFFEE
Alkaline water tastes great with coffee. Brewing coffee using alkaline water will boost the flavor and aroma of your cup of joe. Coffee is a naturally acidic compound. Alkaline water neutralizes and balances the acidity levels when preparing coffee.
A study from the University of New South Wales found that using alkaline water to make coffee results in improved taste. Alkaline water extracts more flavor coffee beans during the brewing process – boosting taste and aroma.
OTHER BENEFITS
Other potential advantages of consuming alkaline water include – system detoxification, skin health, boosting the immune system, weight loss, increasing energy levels, colon-cleansing, and even anti-aging effects. However, there is little or no scientific research to back up any of these claims.
CONS: DISADVANTAGES OF DRINKING ALKALINE WATER
Reduces Stomach Acidity
Your body uses highly acidic stomach acid to break down the food you eat. This acid has a pH level of just 1!
It digests the food you eat so that your body can absorb the nutrients as it passes through your system.
Drinking excessive amounts of alkaline water may temporarily disrupt the acidity levels in your stomach. Alkaline water has a high pH which may increase the pH of your stomach.
The changes will be temporary as your stomach is a fine-tuned device that regulates its own acidity levels.
Price
Alkaline water is expensive. Bottled alkaline water costs considerably more than bottled regular water.
If you are purchasing it regularly you will soon see the costs adding up on your weekly shop. If you are going to consume alkaline water regularly you should invest in an Alkaline Water Machine.
This device allows you to create alkaline water at home using regular tap water – saving you money and time!
Blood pH
Whether alkaline water has any effect on blood pH has not been clearly established. However, consuming large quantities of alkaline water may raise the pH of your blood.
Alkaline water has a high pH value due to its alkalinity and some people believe it can reduce the acidity levels in the blood.
Some people believe this is not a negative, and actually drink alkaline water to actively try and raise their blood pH. The natural pH level of your blood is 7.35 to 7.45.
Lack of Research
There are a lot of claims about the potential health benefits of alkaline water. But there has been very little scientific research completed in the area.
The scientific evidence and hard data to back up a lot of these claims has not been established. This means it’s difficult to make concrete statements about alkaline water pros and cons.
While several small studies have found favorable results – we still need large-scale studies and peer review of data before any definitive claims can be made.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Is Alkaline Water?
Alkaline water is water with a pH above 7. It is the opposite of acidic water. It has become incredibly popular due to its potential health benefits and the belief that it neutralizes excess acidity in the body. Find out more over here – what is alkaline water?
How Is It Made?
Alkaline water is easy to make. It can be made at home using regular tap water with a water ionizing machine. Check out our reviews of the best alkaline water ionizing machines in 2024 – click here.
Making alkaline water at home is a great way of saving time and money by cutting out trips to the store to buy expensive bottled alkaline water.
Is It Good For You?
Proponents of alkaline water believe it is very good for you. They believe there is a wide range of health benefits associated with consuming it.
The evidence to back up these claims is thin on the ground – so you should do your research before drawing any conclusions on alkaline water benefits and disadvantages.
Why Do People Drink Alkaline Water?
People drink water because they believe it is good for them. The claimed benefits are outlined above.
Can You Drink Strong Alkaline Water?
No, you should not drink strong alkaline water. Also known as ‘high alkaline water’, strong alkaline water should not be consumed.
Its strong level of alkalinity means it is not suitable for consumption. Alkaline water above pH 10 should not be consumed.
Can You Lose Weight Drinking Alkaline Water?
There is no evidence available to say that drinking alkaline water will help you lose weight. Anyone saying otherwise should provide scientific research to back up their claims.
Can You Make Alkaline Water At Home?
Yes, you can make alkaline water at home using a water ionizer machine. All you need to do is add regular tap water to the machine. It then performs an electrochemical reaction to create alkaline water and acidic water.
Can Alkaline Water Be Harmful?
If you have any concerns about the health implications of consuming alkaline water you should consult a medical professional.
Potential harmful effects of drinking alkaline water include a temporary reduction in stomach acidity and a possible lowering of blood pH. If you suffer from any kind of kidney disease you should avoid alkaline water.
Does Alkaline Water Work As A Laxative?
Alkaline water that contains elevated levels of magnesium and calcium acts as a mild laxative and will help digestion. However, the effects will be mild and it’s not one of the major attributes of alkaline water pros and cons.
Can You Make Alkaline Water At Home?
Yes, you can make alkaline water at home. In fact, it is very easy. The best methods for making alkaline water are: using a water ionizer machine, ionizing pitcher, baking soda, pH drops, and lemon juice. For more information see – how to make alkaline water at home.
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