Published By: Gurpreet Kaur

What is Alkaline water? Its benefits and problems

Several reports claim that Alkaline water has various health benefits

For those caught unaware, Alkaline water has a higher pH level than plain water. It is said that it has several health benefits and that is why it is becoming famous with even celebs. The pH of water is neutral and the chemical used accordingly can make it more acidic or more alkaline.

While Acidic substances have a pH below 7, Alkaline substances have a pH up to 14. Hence, Alkaline water has a bitter taste.

Lets get to know some of its benefits:

Leads to better bone health and osteoporosis

Reportedly, Alkaline water has an effect on bone resorption, which means old bone cells are broken down and replaced by new ones. When less bone resorption is there with more mineral density, it leads to a better bone strength.

Can be helpful in curing Acid reflux

Acid reflux is caused when the contents of the stomach, which are acidic, reach back up the food pipe. When it happens for a longer duration, it can lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. As per several studies, drinking alkaline water can be taken as a treatment for reflux disease because alkaline water at pH 8.8 can help in stopping the enzyme that actually causes reflux disease. Clearly, alkaline water can lead to reduction of acidity of the stomach contents.

Helps in controlling Blood pressure and diabetes

Reportedly, if a person drinks alkaline water for 3 to 6 months, the measures of his/her high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high blood lipids seem to lower down. In fact, its consumption can also reduce cardiovascular strain due to dehydration.

Recommended daily intake of alkaline water

While there are no strong evidence of health benefits of alkaline water, if you believe that it improves health, then you can start drinking alkaline water with a low intake and increase it gradually. One can also take in the alkaline diet, which means taking more fresh fruits and vegetables and reduced protein intake.

Drinking alkaline water and taking an alkaline diet is said to have anti-aging properties too and it causes no damage to heart, liver, kidneys, brain, or intestine.

Risks of drinking it

Drinking alkaline water may have adverse effects as well as it might encourage people to avoid foods that contain important nutrients. Never forget that just as too much of acidic substances is corrosive, so is too much of alkaline substances in the diet.