Can You Drink Alkaline Water Every Day?

The nature of water, whether acidic or alkaline, is rated on a scale of 0 to 14. Numbers below seven indicate acidic nature, whereas those above seven are considered alkaline. The higher the number, the higher the alkaline level of water.

Water that flows over rocks and comes from springs is naturally alkaline because it picks up minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and silicates, on its way.

Most of the commercial preparations of alkaline water contain water that has been ionized through a chemical process called electrolysis. Manufacturers claim that they use a machine known as an ionizer to increase the pH of the water to between 8 and 9. During this process, acidic and alkaline molecules are separated, with only the latter molecules preserved.

Sometimes, nutrients may be added to water to increase its pH level, such as adding baking soda.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency monitors the quality of public drinking water across the United States. The agency recommends that tap water should be at a pH of 6.5 to 8.5.

Proponents of alkaline water claim that it can neutralize the acid in your blood and prevent you from various diseases including diabetes, heart diseases and cancer. According to studies, no such evidence exists—alkaline water hardly changes the pH of your blood.

Some studies have suggested that alkaline water might help slow bone loss that occurs due to aging. However, whether this benefit remains long-term is still unclear.

Moreover, some say that alkaline water can:

• Enhance digestion process.
• Boost metabolism.
• Aid in weight loss.
• Increase energy.
• Soothe acid reflux.
• Reduce blood viscosity.
• Cure dehydration.
• Slow aging.

All these health claims about alkaline water are not backed up by science, and there is not enough research to support the claims.

Your body has a wonderful mechanism to maintain your pH level, which mainly occurs through your lungs and kidneys.

• Kidneys: Your kidneys maintain pH levels in the body by filtering out waste products.
• Lungs: When your blood gets too acidic, your lungs release carbon dioxide that you breathe out, which brings the blood’s pH to an even level.

Furthermore, your stomach releases acidic gastric juices that neutralize everything you eat and drink, changing the pH level of alkaline water before it can exert the effects as claimed by its proponents.

Drinking alkaline water is likely safe unless you have a kidney problem. However, there may be other negative effects, such as alteration of your stomach’s natural pH. The altered pH may expose the human body to various microbes that the acidic juices naturally guard against.

The high pH could make your skin dry and itchy and may interfere with your normal digestion process.

If you are concerned that your diet is too acidic, instead of drinking alkaline water, eat more fruits and vegetables and limit the amount of caffeine, salt and sugar in your diet.