Maintaining good health is crucial for maintaining proper hydration through the consumption of water, as you may already know. At some point, you might have wondered if alkaline water is superior to regular water, considering the multitude of companies packaging and selling it.
Perhaps you came across a clever marketing ad claiming that regular hydration with alkaline water can increase your energy and prevent disease and digestive issues, even slowing down the aging process.
Registered dietitian Beth Czerwony asserts, “These assertions lack scientific backing.” She further explains, “In this instance, a company aims to market a product by subjecting regular water to the process of ionization, potentially labeling it as ‘natural,’ and inflating its price, ultimately exploiting the desire of individuals to perceive it as more valuable than it truly is.”
Here’s what we understand about alkaline water and why it’s most likely not achieving the desired effects you believe it is.
While walking through the grocery store aisles, you probably should know what this word “alkaline” means when you see it – it’s just plain old water but from different sources.
Alkaline water is commonly produced. Alkaline water is commonly produced by a device called an “ionizer” that changes the chemical composition of the water. The water naturally has a neutral pH of 7, but this device raises its pH to 8, 9, or higher. This makes the water less acidic and more alkaline.
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has banned the use of any claims relating to the health benefits of alkaline water due to insufficient evidence, but marketers claim that this “less acidic” water offers numerous health benefits, including slowing down the aging process and improving digestion.
Breaking down some myths about alkaline water
Here are a few misconceptions that you might have come across regarding alkaline — and how they compare.
Myth: Hydrates you better
The quantity of water you consume, not the variety you consume, is the most important factor when it comes to staying hydrated. Advocates of alkaline water argue that it performs a superior job in keeping you hydrated compared to regular water.
Of course, hydration is crucial for health. However, there is not enough credible research to support the claim that drinking alkaline water is more hydrating than plain water, as recommended by Czerwony.
She says, “Your physique is completely capable of accomplishing what it requires to regulate your pH levels, so you don’t have to buy into these untested assertions. Just avoid embellishing it. H2O is excellent.”
Myth: Slows down aging
When it comes to anti-aging, this assertion regarding alkaline water is just as fictitious as the mythical fountain of youth.
Yes, staying hydrated in your reusable water bottle is a great way to keep your skin clear and prevent premature wrinkles, and alkaline water is even better than any other water for this purpose.
Myth: Improves digestion
The mighty and intricate system that is your body digests everything you eat or drink. Even alkaline water does not compare to what your body can do. The claim that alkaline water improves your metabolism or digestion does not stand on a leg.
Another example of natural balance is that the alkaline water will neutralize the gastric juices because it becomes alkaline. This can throw off the digestive process and cause damage over time by skewing the body’s pH balance too far on the alkaline side, making it unlikely that any resulting benefits from alkaline water would only be unwanted.
Myth: Prevents illnesses
Czerwony states that marketers claim alkaline water works as an antioxidant to prevent cell damage, but scientific studies have not properly tested such claims. It is important to consider what science tells us about the body and to counter any misleading information.
Can drinking plenty of alkaline water prevent illnesses? Is it true that one of the main pieces of advice you hear when you’re sick is to drink plenty of fluids, including alkaline water? It’s also true that drinking enough water can play an important part in helping you avoid illnesses.
Myth: Increases energy
Is it not true that regular water does not provide more energy than any other water, unless you are drinking alkaline water or lightly caffeinated sparkling water? Wouldn’t it be great if you could get energy just from water, instead of consuming soda or coffee?
Are there any benefits of alkaline water?
The truth is, despite all the assertions made by advocates of alkaline water, we know that our body carries out those tasks more efficiently.
Breathing out carbon dioxide helps to bring down levels of it in your body. There are many ways to correct an imbalance if there is one. Our bodies are incredible machines, as Czerwony notes, “our bodies are amazing machines.”
There have been no empirical studies showing the health benefits of alkaline water, she adds, “they’ll be worth discussing when and if they are shown.”
According to Czerwony, if you have certain conditions such as respiratory or kidney disease, your body maintains a healthy pH balance on its own, so drinking alkaline water may not be beneficial. However, alkaline water will not do any harm either. It is not a miracle in a bottle either. Your body has its own ways of achieving a pH balance, and it prefers a pH closer to neutral. Creating extremes in your system, either too alkaline or too acidic, can cause health problems.
Staying properly hydrated is crucial, especially during exercise or in hot weather. It is important to always drink an ample amount of water to maintain your optimal health.