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Alkaline Water — Pay Up or Pass?
A Bite-Size Read for Your Health and Your Waistline
Perhaps you’ve seen it amid the rows of bottled water at the store. Alkaline water sits next to the spring water, carbonated water, water with electrolytes, etc. but costs more. What makes alkaline water so special? Is it worth paying the premium?
The difference between alkaline water and “regular drinking water” is simply the PH level, which measures how acidic or alkaline something is. PH levels are measured on a scale from 0–14. Something with a PH of 2 is extremely acidic, while something with a PH of 12 is extremely alkaline. The typical drinking water we usually see has a PH of 7, which is neutral.
Why is this important? You may hear that germs thrive in an acidic environment and some say regulating your body’s pH may slow aging and prevent chronic diseases. It’s assumed that the body in a disease state is more acidic; the theory behind alkaline water, which has a pH of 8 or 9, would help balance the acidity of the body. From much of the research, there isn’t enough to support these claims!
There are studies that follow specific uses for alkaline water, such as treating acid reflux, as well as affecting our blood viscosity (how efficiently our blood flows) specifically after a strenuous workout. But the broader application and…
