What Is Alkaline Water?
Alkaline water holds a higher potential hydrogen, making it less acidic than regular water. The alkaline nature of alkaline water indicates the pH level (potential hydrogen). The pH level is the number of potential hydrogen substances that determine how acidic or alkaline the water is on a small scale of 0 to 14. The alkaline water contains significant alkaline minerals that help improve bone health, muscle, and nerve function and increase longevity. Moreover, A limited group of studies demonstrates that alkaline water can neutralize the acid in the bloodstream.
What Is the Difference Between Regular Water and Alkaline Water?
As the name suggests, alkaline water has an alkaline nature. Nevertheless, alkaline water has a higher pH concentration than regular water. It is considered to be less acidic than normal plain water. So, many researchers claim that alkaline water can aid in the neutralization of acid in the system. There is only a slight difference in pH concentration between regular and alkaline water. The pH of regular drinking water is neutral at 7, and alkaline water has about 8 or 9. Additionally, some findings say that alkaline water has a role in preventing diseases, including heart illnesses and cancer. But, additional research is required to validate these health claims.
What Are the Vital Constituents of Alkaline Water?
The health benefits of alkaline water are attributable to its constituents which include:
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Calcium: It is known to be an essential element for bone health. Also, it plays a role in muscle and nerve function.
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Potassium: It is one of the electrolytes known for its various functions. The vital function includes strengthening muscle function and the promotion of healthy digestion.
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Sodium: Sodium is known for its regulation of blood pressure and volume. Additionally, it supports nerve and muscle function.
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Magnesium: Magnesium is an element utilized in the process of conversion of food into energy. So, it has something to do with the body's metabolism. Consequently, it plays a role in about 300 biochemical reactions in the body.
What Are the Health Benefits of Alkaline Water?
Alkaline water has a higher potential for hydrogen, making it more alkaline than plain water. The ideology behind the fact that alkaline water has health, curative, and medicinal benefits relies upon another view. The view shows that the acidic environment in the bloodstream or body can cause illnesses and conditions requiring neutralization. The more alkaline the body is, the more healthiest it will be. The potential and scientifically proven health benefits of alkaline water are discussed below.
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Improve Bone Health: The clinical findings obtained from the alkaline water research on bone health states that the individuals who ingested alkaline water rich in bicarbonate have shown positive effects on bone resorption. Here, bone resorption is the process of the breakdown of the old bone cells and the replacement of the new ones. Fewer degrees of bone resorption associated with higher mineral density contribute to better bone health. The scientist concluded that the alkaline water rich in calcium and bicarbonate reduced bone resorption rates compared to the calcium-rich acid water.
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Reduce the Major Concerns: The primary concerns or the risk factors of cardiac and serious conditions are blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids (cholesterols). The scientific research from 2016 validates that individuals with hypertension, diabetes, and higher cholesterol concentrations showed lesser values after three to six months of consuming alkaline water. Additionally, the clinical findings say that the electrolyte water containing high pH somehow indicates a decline in blood viscosity (stickiness and thickness of the blood) after doing exercises. This trait helps prevent certain cardiovascular strains that result from dehydration.
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Soothe Acid Reflux: Acid reflux is known for backing up the stomach acid content into the esophagus due to an underlying cause. In chronic degrees, acid reflux can result in damage, leading to a severe condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A study describes that drinking alkaline water with a higher ph value of about 8.8 can help soothe and prevent acid reflux. Higher pH concentrations could kill the pepsin enzyme, whereas pepsin is a primary cause of acid reflux. Pepsin contributes to the breaking down process of food proteins.
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Increase Longevity: Research was conducted to examine the alkaline water effects on over 150 mice for three successive years. The results say that the mice drank alkaline water and showed increased longevity. So they were more likely to possess a longer life span. Additionally, no significant damage was obtained in the histological examination of essential organs, including the heart, brain, kidney, liver, and brain of those mice. Nevertheless, the studies do not show such benefits for humans and require a major validation study.
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Augment Hydration: A study from 2017 describes that taking alkaline water after anaerobic exercises enhanced positive effects on hydration status while with a considerable decline in specific urine gravity. Consequently, alkaline water positively affected urine pH and efficient lactate utilization. The efficient lactate utilization result in heightened energy in the body as the lactate is responsible for the energy source in skeletal muscles.
In addition, to the above health benefits, numerous other health claims support alkaline water in various aspects. But the pitfall is that those benefits need more appropriate validation. So, more research is required to demonstrate the other benefits, though they are notable.
Conclusion:
Alkaline water has the positive aspects than negative ones. It is safe to consume alkaline water, and the current shreds of evidence show no such adverse side effects associated with alkaline water. However, the system might make certain physiological alterations as alkaline water has a different pH. One such vital physiological change is that the body might produce great hydrochloric acid to regulate the pH of the stomach and attain homeostasis. So, knowing the significance of alkaline water and discussing it with healthcare professionals, one can consume it to get most of the health benefits.
