With the news of dangerous chemicals in our city’s drinking water in recent years, more people have started to take an interest in the water they use to cook and drink. Millions of consumers drink bottled water, but many have gone further and hydrate with alkaline water. You may be one of those people or you’ve seen a bottle on the grocery store shelf or your coworker’s desk. Some tout the benefits of drinking alkaline water to help balance the body’s pH level, ease reflux disease, slow the aging process, and even starve cancer cells.
If you’ve never heard of alkaline water, read on. You may want to pick up a bottle soon.
What is alkaline water?
In chemistry, pH is measured to determine the acidity of a water-based solution. The maximum level of pH is 14, with 7 being neutral. Any number below 7 is considered acidic. U.S. tap water falls somewhere in the range of 4.3 – 5.3. Alkaline, or ionized, water is water that has a pH (potential of hydrogen) reading above 7.
More Benefits of Alkaline Water
- increased oxygen to blood cells
- increased energy levels
- increased metabolism
- cleans the colon
- lubricates muscles and joints
- protects the bones
Read more about the alkaline diet.
Alkaline water is available in most grocery and health food stores. However, you can improve your water’s alkalinity at home by simply adding a little baking soda or a few drops of fresh lemon or lime juice into a warm glass of water.
