5 Potential Benefits of 9.5+ pH Alkaline Drinking Water
People are constantly putting an emphasis on how important your diet is when it comes to not only weight loss, but also your health. What you eat and drink mean everything and a simple google search spirals you into all of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to eating and drinking cleanly. You may often see that in all the lists, tips, and advice on how to treat your body right and give it what it deserves, you most definitely came across the suggestion to drink water and drink enough water to stay hydrated. Yet, do they ever go into any more specifics about that? Water is definitely good for you, but not all water is the same. It is important to know what type of water works best for your hydration and health. That is where alkaline water comes in. Alkaline water provides some benefits for the body that are incredibly great and offer a smoother water drinking experience than other types of water. Like really! Once you drink alkaline water and experience both the taste and how it makes you feel, you will really see how not all water is the same and making informed choices about where you get your water can really help!
What is Alkaline Water?
Alkaline water is water that has a pH level that puts it in the alkaline category. pH refers to how acidic or basic (alkaline) a certain substance is. The pH scale is a scale that ranges from 1-14 and helps to identify the acidity or alkalinity of the substance. Any pH that yields a number from 1-6 would be considered acidic with 1 being the most acidic. A pH level of 7 would be considered neutral, meaning that it is neither acidic nor basic. Any pH that ranges from 8-14 would be considered basic. Alkaline water typically yields a pH of around 9.5. So, in other words, alkaline water simply refers to water that is more basic than typical water (which yields a pH level of 7).
Top 5 Health Benefits of Alkaline Water
Anti-Aging
One incredible benefit of alkaline water is that it can help to slow down the aging process. This is due to the fact that alkaline water is able to stop the growth of free radicals in the body. Free radicals within the body can often lead to aging quicker. Alkaline water serves as an antioxidant that looks for and neutralizes the harmful free radicals that you can get from your food or other harmful exposures to certain substances. Through being able to give up electrons, the water can neutralize and block free-radical damage to the body. Free radicals are thought to inflict damage on the body over time. This can lead to damage of the DNA and cells which can thereby affect the aging process of the body. Through alkaline water’s ability to neutralize free radicals, you can help slow down the aging process within the body and further protect it from additional damage.
Improves Blood Viscosity
One study that was published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that there was a significant difference in the blood viscosity of participants that were observed after drinking alkaline water in comparison to regular water. The blood viscosity seemed to improve in those who consumed alkaline water rather than regular water. This is incredibly important since blood viscosity is related to oxygen transport and delivery throughout the body. It relates to how well the blood can flow throughout the body and to different organs and arteries within the body. Those who have thicker, more viscous blood can be at a greater risk of heart disease or a heart attack. For that reason, alkaline water can help with reducing those chances.
Boosts Immunity
Since alkaline water has a higher pH level than normal water, it can typically help with the acidity that builds up within the body. As your body continues to be affected by stress and poor diet, it can sometimes really put a damper on your immune system and its ability to work well. A healthy immune system can only function when the body is getting the nutrients and hydration it needs, receives enough sleep, and remains calm rather than stressed. Yet, the reality is that as much as we try our best to live that kind of lifestyle to help our body and our immune system, sometimes things don’t always work out that way. Alkaline water can help by flushing out toxins from the cells and decreasing acidity built up within the body. Alkaline water is able to deeply penetrate for better hydration, better blood flow, better flushing of the toxins, and a better ability to move nutrients around the body, resulting in an improved immune system.
Offers Electrolytes for Improved Hydration
Besides getting overall hydration from the water, alkaline water can offer improved hydration through the fact that it has electrolytes within the body. Electrolytes are incredibly important, especially for those who live very active lifestyles where they sweat a lot or those who may be sick at the moment and are throwing up. Water may provide hydration, but it does not have the ability to replenish electrolytes as they escape from the body when you sweat, vomit, etc. For that reason, alkaline water is great for you since it typically comes with a blend of electrolyte minerals that can replenish the body once again and bring it back to a healthier and energized state.
It Tastes Better Than Most Types of Water
Another incredible benefit of alkaline water is that it has such a great taste! Alkaline water is typically recognized for having a smooth taste to it that makes it feel crisp and refreshing. Some types of water such as tap water and certain types of spring water can often have harsh tastes that taste like metal or heavy minerals. This type of taste can put people off from drinking water and can make them feel less motivated to stay hydrated. When you drink water that tastes good naturally, you will want to drink it more often and as a result you will be even more hydrated!