Alkaline water is water with a pH ( alkaline or basic ) higher than 7.0; it is, therefore, a slightly less acidic product than the one emitted from the taps of the house, rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium, bicarbonate, and silica, neutralizes the acid of the blood and promotes the metabolization of nutrients. In this article, we will give you a complete guide about. Alkaline water is good for you?
Table of Contents
What is alkaline water?
Alkaline water is rich in antioxidants and minerals. It seems to be the perfect solution to restore the body’s acid-base balance because it boasts an essentially basic pH. On the other hand, when the pH is lower than 7, it must be neutralized using the body’s natural resources that cannot thus fulfill their primary functions. It is lighter and more refreshing. So it also prevents abdominal bloating and slightly different tastes for the finest palates.
Ionized alkaline water
The ionized alkaline water is good for you. The first phase is subjected to a purification process to eliminate, using a system of activated carbon filters, all the harmful substances contained therein ( all without altering its organoleptic characteristics ).
The second phase, which takes the name of electrolysis, instead involves separating the substances in the water-based on their electrical charge: the negative electrode recalls the positive ions ( alkaline minerals ). In contrast, the positive one attracts the negative ions ( acid radicals ). The intake brings innumerable benefits to the body, such as a greater hydration level, slowing down cellular aging, and eliminating waste through urination.
Benefits alkaline water
This particular water brings various benefits to the body, and these can be summarized as follows.
High antioxidant power
Rich in negatively charged ions, it hinders the aging process of the epidermis. It cleans the blood of waste, improves oxygenation, and promotes proper circulation.
Prevents osteoporosis
Its consumption contrasts the onset of osteoporosis in elderly subjects and postmenopausal women.
Excellent remedy in case of constipation or dysentery
Disorders of the intestinal tract can often be related to a high level of acidity in the blood. The intake regulates the physiological pH, thus promoting correct intestinal transit.
Lower blood pressure
arterial hypertension ( a greater than 140 mmHg and diastolic pressure greater than 90 mmHg ) can sometimes be the mere consequence of a state of acidosis of the blood. This potentially hazardous condition deserves to be monitored closely; therefore, the subject must make some important changes to his diet and prefer the intake of alkaline water for you and basic foods.
Fights gastritis
this condition, which causes acute or chronic inflammation of the stomach wall, causes acidity, heartburn, cramps, nausea, and emesis. Its intake seems to be an excellent remedy against this very unpleasant malaise.
Enhance Sports Performance
During physical activity, the body produces a high number of hydrogen ions (they are released by lactic acid) with a consequent reduction in pH. The intake of alkaline water improves the buffering capacity, which has a positive effect on performance. Finally, it is advisable to supplement water with magnesium and potassium to better control fatigue in long-lasting sports practices.
Protective action against the epidermis
the regular intake of this water prevents dermatological disorders and gives relief to those already in progress. As laboratory tests confirm, it reduces skin damage resulting from prolonged exposure to UV rays. It stimulates the metabolism by promoting the absorption of nutrients. It counteracts the formation of some types of kidney stones and promotes the rapid expulsion of the same.
Guarantees a correct level of hydration of the body
regular consumption of alkaline water reduces urine production and blood osmolality ( high plasma osmolality exposes the subject to a greater risk of developing a stroke ). The individual is, therefore, more hydrated, while the cardiovascular system is in excellent health.
Is Alkaline Water Good For You: Pregnancy
During gestation, is alkaline water good for you as a real source of well-being, but it is essential to make a small introduction. The stomach of any person essentially has two tasks: promoting digestion and eliminating waste of an acidic nature. However, pregnancy leads to a progressive increase in acidity because the mother prioritizes the fetus by supplying it with alkaline minerals.
Therefore, the future mother must increase the portions of vegetables/fruit and favor consuming this particular water to provide her body with the right amount of alkaline minerals. On the other hand, a purely acidifying diet induces the body to take basic substances from bones and teeth to ensure an alkaline environment for the fetus and amniotic fluid.
Alkaline water to promote sports performance
Sports activity, efforts, and the accused fatigue cause the accumulation of lactic acid and carbon dioxide inside the muscles; therefore, they lose power and functionality ( their pH falls below 6.9 ). The athlete, who develops a condition better known as acidosis, feels exhausted, and his performance is certainly not excellent.
Alkalized water gives new balance to the muscles’ basic acid system, increases the oxygenation of the blood, and improves fatigue resistance by reactivating the immune system. The microelements contained in the water give well-being to the muscles, and performance improves significantly. Finally, the sportsman must make some changes to his diet and prefer basic foods such as vegetables and fruit (this to maintain a correct acid-base ratio).
Where it is on the market
There are various systems on the market. On the market for the sale of jugs or bottles made of stainless steel equipped with filters in them that work like “alcalinizzatrici machines.” It is true, however, that the filters should be replaced regularly. Otherwise, the water changes over time. The ionizer seems to be safer and more widespread. The ionization carried out with the current technology produces water clusters much smaller than any other drinking water available, allowing a faster penetration into the cell. There are on the market mini-ionizers for travel, ionizers with 5 or 9 electrodes, cartridges for purifiers. In the pharmacy, there are also liquid alkalizes in drops.
The controversy surrounding alkaline ionized water
The greatest number of controversies revolve around these tools’ cost, which adds the doubt about the real ability to lower acidity in the human body. The real doubters speak of a real “hoax” that lies behind the theory of water that alkalizes the body, a real ” scam of alkaline water sold for its weight in gold,” as Dario Bressanini declares in an interesting article that appeared on the blog of Le Science, in which he also cites Salvo di Gorizia and his text entitled “Health and lies.”
In this text, Bressanini debunks the alkaline diet myth, clarifying how complex the body’s internal system is and how numerous are the small variations inside our organism, or rather the “pH adjustments” that occur continuously while we breathe. We also wanted to take into consideration the opinion of Valdo Vaccaro on ionized water. In his rich blog, he reports Dr. Mercola’s observations, a famous American doctor of Integrated and Alternative Medicine, in dialogue with Houston Tomasz, a well-known expert in water filtration. The former asked for an opinion on the increasing use of alkaline water. Tomasz replied that there are several potential problems with alkaline water. Vaccaro highlights many interesting points that emerge from the dialogue between the two scholars in question.
Vaccaro continues: ” Long-term use of alkaline ionized water can interfere with the body’s natural digestive process, reducing the hydrochloric acidity needed to break down foods and make them absorbable. This could bring surprises in bacterial balance, leading to parasitic infections, candida, nematodes, etc., as well as malabsorption and ulcers. ”
Alkaline diet
The alkaline water-based diet often collects conflicting opinions, but we have decided to give voice to both.
Supporters of this diet
An acidic environment promotes inflammation, a drastic drop in immune defenses, and a generalized condition of psychophysical malaise. On the other hand, an alkaline pH prevents the onset of disorders and treats (in some cases) various pathologies.
A diet based on the intake of basic substances prevents diseases such as overweight, water retention, diabetes mellitus, and neoplasms; a diet of this type also counteracts free radicals and slows down the natural cellular aging process.
- The foods to be taken can be summarized as follows.
- Vegetables: cauliflower, broccoli, beets, onions, cucumbers, and spinach.
- Fruits: oranges, lemons, apples, pears, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, melons, figs, and plums.
- Nuts: almonds.
Whole grains: favor gluten-free ones such as millet, amaranth, quinoa, and red rice. It is advisable to take a glass of warm water with a squeezed lemon (untreated) daily and on an empty stomach.
Who says no to the alkaline diet?
Before starting an alkaline diet, it is advisable to contact your doctor; this diet is not, in fact, free from contraindications. In particular, all those suffering from kidney diseases or who follow a therapy based on potassium-sparing diuretics ( the intake of this mineral is very high ) must pay attention. According to the opinion of authoritative experts, those who follow the alkaline diet also risk being victims of the so-called yo-yo effect, which results in a global weight gain; secondly, there are protein deficiencies with all the consequences of the case. Despite having a notoriously acidic pH, this citrus fruit triggers a basic reaction and therefore boasts an excellent alkalizing power.
Alkaline bottled water
The most well-stocked supermarkets offer, day after day, different types of bottled water; all you have to do is arm yourself with a lot of patience and read carefully what is written on the label to check the pH value, which must be, as previously mentioned, higher than 7.0.
The water purchased can also be used for multiple purposes such as washing fruit and vegetables ( in fact, it favors eliminating pesticides and preservatives ), preparing herbal teas, cooking and mixing food products subject to leavening ( its use reduces strongly swelling ).
Finally, it can be used externally to disinfect wounds/burns, treat acne and soften the skin. The Acqualife purifiers represent, in the light of this, the perfect solution for families and commercial enterprises of different types.
FAQ
How to drink the ‘ alkaline ionized water?
Start by drinking a few glasses away or before meals at pH 8.5, and then gradually increase every day up to 1-2 liters of water per day. After about 15-20 days, you can pass to pH 9 and then pass to pH 9.5 after another 15-20 days. The dose of water and the degree of pH to drink are very subjective. And depending on factors such as diet and individual tolerability, which is subjective. You can do the urine and saliva ph test (there are papers in the pharmacy to do the test).
The optimal ph is neutral (ph 7), usually achieved after a few months of using ionized alkaline water. WHEN OUR URINE AND SALIVA HAVE A PH 7 (by averaging several measurements during the day), we have established the acid-base balance. During meals, drink neutral water or alkaline water with a little lemon.
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Can I mount the ionizer myself? Is it easy to assemble?
The Ionizer is quite easy to connect and comes with detailed instructions in Italian. The fitting has a diverter that can let the water pass through the ionizer or flow out. Tap water directly, without going through the ionizer. It is necessary to have a socket near the tap to make the electrical connection.
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How often will I need to change the filters?
The Ionizer is equipped with a water liter counter that will indicate when to replace the special filters. In an average household, you will have to change the filters once a year.
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Is alkaline water good for cooking?
Of course! Drinking water is often used directly from the tap for cooking. During cooking, the water evaporates, leaving harmful elements (chlorine, heavy minerals, etc.) inside the food. Using the ionizer, we will use both purified and very healthy ionized water for food. Another advantage to consider is that ionized water will boil considerably earlier than normal water. In doing so, we will have further energy savings.
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Is alkaline ionized water suitable for sportspeople?
In particular, sports nutrition should tend towards alkalizing food and drinks, trying to reduce acidifying food and drinks. During intense physical activity, acid catabolites can hinder the evacuation of lactates from the muscles with a prolongation of the recovery phase in the case of large quantities. For this reason, it is advisable to eat and hydrate with a prevalence of alkalizing foods and water before and after physical activity.
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Ionized alkaline water tastes?
Ionized Alkaline water has a predominantly neutral flavor, very light, but with a slight and pleasant tendency to sweetish, characteristics that give the water a pleasant thirst-quenching sense.
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What does it mean to “ionize”?
Ionization occurs when an atom or molecule loses its electrons or acquires them from another atom. Even in mineral-free water, one in ten million water molecules is ionized. When a water molecule “H2O” is ionized, the molecule splits into two parts: the hydrogen ion “H +” and the hydroxide ion, OH-. These ions, in turn, ionize the minerals in the water to produce an active chemical reaction. Since water produces ionization, without water, our body would cease its chemical reactions. This would result in the cessation of life.
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What is pH?
The pH is a value that measures the basicity or acidity of a substance. Depending on the pH value, we distinguish acidic, neutral, or basic (alkaline) substances. The values range from 0 to 7, stand for acidity, and 7 to 14 for basicity. The separation value 7 represents neutrality. When the concentration of these two ions is the same, we will have neutral water at pH 7; if there is an excess of H + ions, the water will be acidic and the pH lower than 7; otherwise, the pH will be higher than 7 and the water will be basic.
