Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Alkaline Waters: Are They Worth the Hype?

Summer and its warm weather are upon us and with the increase in temperature it’s important to stay hydrated. If you’ve gone down a drink aisle recently, you might have noticed some pricier alkaline waters on store shelves. What is it exactly that makes these waters more “elite” than other bottled varieties?

Simply put, alkaline water has a higher pH compared to tap or pure water, which falls around a pH of 7. Manufacturers claim that drinking water at a higher pH (8-10) can correct the acidity of our blood, resulting in an abundance of health benefits ranging from improved nutrition metabolization to decreased risk of cancer. They claim that the standard American diet—high in meat, refined grains and dairy—is acid-forming and when the body is in an acidic state, it is more susceptible to chronic disease.

While this claim may have some truth to it, there isn’t enough scientific evidence to support the grandiose health claims of alkaline water just yet. In fact, there has been only one major study that explores its health benefits and the results demonstrated that it may be therapeutic for those suffering from acid reflux disease due to its naturally higher levels of bicarbonate--much like Alka-Seltzer. In other words, drinking water with a higher pH isn’t going to directly increase the pH of your blood.

Bottom Line: Before spending your hard-earned dollars on pricy alkaline waters, look at your diet to determine if there’s anything you can do to naturally improve its acid-base balance, such as eating more whole vegetables and fruits, decreasing meat consumption or increasing physical activity. Our bodies already do a great job at regulating our pH levels, so let them do their job while you focus on meeting your other wellness goals. 


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