The popularity of alkaline diets has increased over recent years due to its claimed health benefits. Alkaline water has become popular not only in Australia but worldwide as people look for ways to promote a healthy lifestyle. But is there a scientific proof backing the various health benefit claims? Well, that’s the big question.
Whereas millions of people across the world are now drinking alkalized water, most people have not fully understood what this water is and how you can get at home. In this guide, we are looking at alkaline water is and the available technologies making it possible to have an alkaline water supply at home.
What is Alkaline Water?
Alkaline water can be best defined using the pH of the water. The pH of water ranges from 0 to 14. Therefore, the neutral pH for water is 7. If the pH is below the neutral value, then the water becomes acidic. But if the pH is above pH 7, then the water becomes alkaline. So, the higher the pH, the more alkalise the water becomes. Therefore, alkaline water simply water that has its pH above 7. However, highly alkalized water is not good for human consumption. The best pH ranges from 8 or 9.
Benefits of Alkaline Water
The main reason why most people are going for alkaline diets, including water, is because of the claimed health benefits. Although most of the health benefits have not been backed by science, studies have shown positive results.
One of the biggest benefits is the claim that it can help the body become less acidic. The claim is being backed by the fact that acidic body is prone to serious diseases like cancer amongst others. It is also believed that acidic bodies contribute to unhealthy weight gain.
So alkaline helps in fighting cancer, reducing symptoms of blood pressure and diabetes, clean skin and treating acid reflux amongst other conditions. In addition, alkalized water increases the amount of oxygen in the blood. It also detoxifies the body and flushing harmful elements such as antioxidants of the body.
Main Alkalized Water technologies
Getting alkalized is not easy and cane expensive if you result to buying. Most people think that the rain is alkaline but acidic due to the presence of carbon dioxide in it amongst other acidic gases. But you can get natural alkaline water from clean natural streams. As the water passed on the rocks in the stream, it picks minerals that raise the pH above 7. However, this may not be practical, especially for many people who live in cities where water is supplied by authorities.
The good news is that there are technologies that are making it possible to raise the pH of any water. These technologies work by ionizing water to raise the pH. Here are 4 main technologies that you can use to get alkalized or ionized water supply in your home:
Use Ioniser Machine
One of the best technologies being used ionizing water direct from the water supply in your home. The ionizing water machine is attached to your water supply or the main water source to ensure that any water supplied to your home is alkalized. The machine raises the pH of the water through the electrolysis process. Machine utilizes a small voltage of electricity, which charges the water to raise the pH.
However, there are several models of the ionizer machine to pick from. Apart from the big one connected to the water source, there are smaller versions that connect to the tap. That means you can have alkaline when you need it. So if you have a small house, the smaller version would be a perfect choice.
Bio-Ceramic Filters
Bio-ceramic is one of the safest technologies that are being used to raise the pH of the water. The technique has been adopted by thousands of homes here in Australia. The technique uses selected natural materials that create a magnetic charge within the water to raise the pH of water. In most cases, clay, stones, sand, and other particles are widely used.
The use of a bio-ceramic technique is more of a natural process since it is the same as water passing through streams. The particles used will not only cause a magnetic charge within the water but will also add more nutrients to the water, which are helpful to the body.
Add pH Drops To the Water
Another popular technique that is being used to raise the pH of drinking water is adding pH drops. These are a powerful solution which is added to the water to raise the pH. The content may vary depending on the brand, but most of them are made from organic potassium such as potassium citrate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium lactate, and more than 79 trace minerals.
When put in a glass of water, they will raise the pH to anything between 8 and 10. You must follow the instruction provided by the manufacturer when using the pH drops. Do not exceed the recommended number of drops because the water might end up with a pH above 10, which may not be good for your health.
Attached Magnet To Water Pipes
This is another technology that is being used across the world to raise the pH of water. The technology involves the use of magnetic devices to soften water travelling through the pipe. The argument supporting this technology claims that as the water passes through a magnetic field, its charge is restored. That is how water is ionized and hence increasing its alkalinity.
It is a simple technique, and you will not need a plumber or tools to install it. However, it is one of the technologies that is still being debated because its efficacy is still in doubt. So you might need to do a little more research before adopting it. However, it has shown positive results in some instances.
Alkaline water and other diets have indeed become increasingly popular. Although some studies have shown that drinking this water reduces symptoms for diseases such as blood pressure and diabetes, most of the claims have no scientific backing. But this water is generally good for the body.
