We all know that water is key to every tissue, organ, and cell in our bodies. However, many of us fail to stay as hydrated as we should by drinking enough glasses of water. Drinking alkaline water can be a useful bio-hack that you can add to improve your lifestyle. It is something that can easily be implemented in your life.
Now, new evidence has shown that not only do we need to drink more water but the type of water that we drink is equally important. Alkaline water is believed to be the best thing for us to drink. Why is this case?
Why is Alkaline Water Better?
Water is made up of oxygen and hydrogen, with the number of hydrogen ions in the water being measured as a pH figure. Alkaline water contains fewer hydrogen ions and has a higher pH level than standard tap water.
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Water has a pH level which ranges between 0 and 14. 7 is said to be neutral, with an equal balance between alkaline and acidic. When water has a pH level of under 7 it is acidic and higher than 7 makes it alkaline.
Those who extol the virtues of alkaline water say that the larger number of hydrogen ions helps to provide more hydration when compared to regular water, particularly if you’ve been working out.
They also believe that regular tap water that has an acidic pH causes too much acid to build up in your cells and blood resulting in a range of health issues.
Alkaline water can reduce the amount of acid in your bloodstream, giving your metabolism a boost, increasing your energy levels, slowing down the aging process, improving your digestion, and even reducing your bone loss. Some believers even say that it can starve cancer cells.
It is an antioxidant that neutralizes the free radicals which cause DNA and cellular damage. Thanks to the smaller cluster size of the water it can penetrate the cells more easily to hydrate you more effectively, and its higher concentration of alkaline minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium helps to ensure better health.
Alkaline water is also rich in oxygen which increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in the blood, and thanks to its detoxifying abilities it can eliminate the build-up of mucus on the walls of the colon to improve your body’s nutrient-absorbing abilities.
This kind of water can flush out the toxins and acidic waste that has accumulated in your body while the negatively charged ions help to boost your alertness, mental clarity, and energy levels. It can even help to control your weight and to stay healthy in the long-term since pollutants that are usually found in tap water are removed.
Several studies say that alkaline water can help prevent diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. However, there are minimal pieces of evidence available to support such claims.
Risks involved
Though there are many benefits to drinking alkaline water, it is important to look at possible risks also (1). Some of the evidence has shown negative side effects include;
The alkaline water helps in lowering of natural stomach acidity, which helps kill bacteria and expel other undesirable pathogens from entering your bloodstream.
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An overall excess of alkalinity in the body may cause gastrointestinal issues and skin irritations. Also, too much alkalinity may also agitate the body’s normal pH, leading to metabolic alkalosis.
Alkalosis is a condition that may show symptoms like nausea, vomiting, hand tremors, muscle twitching, tingling in the extremities or face, and confusion.
However, if you wish to start drinking alkaline water, start with a low intake and increase it gradually. This can reduce the corrosive effects of highly alkaline water.
How to Benefit from Alkaline Water?
If you’re ready to experience the benefits that drinking alkaline water can bring, you need to know how you can get hold of it. While you can buy bottled alkaline water in stores, you can make it yourself at home with a water ionizer.
A water ionizer is a compact unit that connects to the water supply in your kitchen. It carries out low voltage electrolysis on your tap water before drinking it or using it in your kitchen for cleaning or cooking.
A water ionizer uses a special attachment which redirects the water from the faucet through a hose into the unit. In the unit, water is filtered to take out the most common pollutants which are found in regular tap water.
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Next, the water which has been filtered passes on into a chamber which is equipped with titanium electrodes coated with platinum and it is in this chamber where the electrolysis takes place.
Positive ions (or cations) come together at the negative electrodes. This creates reduced (or cathodic) water. Meanwhile, the anions or negatively charged ions, come together at the positive electrode. This makes oxidized or anodic water.
The ionized water is directed to the faucet while the oxidized water is directed to a different hose which leads to the sink. The ionized water can then be used for cooking or drinking.
As a bonus, the oxidized water is useful as a sterilizing agent that can be used for cleaning utensils, food and hands, and treating eczema and wounds.
If you invest in a water ionizer for your home, you can enjoy all the benefits of alkaline water every day without any fuss or hassle.
