Alkaline Water Benefits
Some say it can help slow the aging process, regulate your body’s pH level, and prevent chronic diseases.
Personally, I love it and feel it does give me energy. Plus I like knowing that I can offset the downfalls of the food and wine I love. Protein, alcohol, bread and most of the American diet is too acidic.
But what exactly is alkaline water and what’s the big deal?
Basically, alkaline water has a higher pH level than regular water. PH level is a number that measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is on a scale of 0 to 14. Normal drinking water generally has a neutral pH of 7. Alkaline water typically has a pH of 8 or 9.
So the theory is that drinking alkaline water can help neutralize acidity in the body.
A recent study suggested that drinking alkaline water may have benefits for people who have high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Another study that included 100 people found a significant difference in whole blood viscosity after consuming high pH water compared to regular water after a strenuous workout. Viscosity measures how blood flows through the vessels. High pH water reduced viscosity by 6.3 percent compared to 3.36 percent with standard purified drinking water. This means blood flowed more efficiently with alkaline water. This can increase oxygen delivery throughout out the body.
As always too much of a good thing can be bad – Too much alkalinity may also agitate the body’s normal pH, leading to metabolic alkalosis. Yikes!, This may produce symptoms like nausea, vomiting, hand tremors, etc. My theory is that probably only happens when someone goes overboard and only consumes alkaline foods (like wheatgrass), but it can happen.
Alkalosis can also cause a decrease in free calcium in the body, which can affect bone health. However, the most common cause of hypocalcemia is not from drinking alkaline water, but from having an underactive parathyroid gland.
I feel it is worth it to try adding alkaline water to your diet and see how you feel, especially if you like to imbibe!
Here are more tips on how to re-alkalize naturally