Every cell, tissue, and organ in your body depends on water. Your productivity, mood, memory, energy level, and clarity may all be enhanced by drinking enough water.
Alkaline water has several advantages, including strengthening the immune system and cleansing the body, and it has a pH level of 8 or 9, higher than ordinary drinking water.
The benefits of consuming the recommended eight glasses of water daily are well known. Consuming foods and liquids with reduced acidity, such as non-citrus fruits and low-acid juices, is crucial for preventing reflux illness.
You probably already know what not to eat or drink if you get acid reflux.
Alkaline Water – Scientific Facts
Although some believe alkaline water is superior to ordinary tap water, there is no scientific proof for this assertion.
Therefore, here we shall talk about some of the important scientific statements about alkaline water and explore its connection with acid reflux:
1. How is Alkaline Water Different From Normal Water?
Water’s pH level, which runs from 0 to 14, affects how acidic it is. Any pH value lower than 7 is considered acidic, while pH 7 is considered neutral.
In the US, tap water generally has a pH of 4.3 to 5.3, which is lower than that. The EPA recommends that tap water have a pH range of 6.5 to 8.5.
If bottled water makes an alkaline claim, it must comply with certain specifications if it makes an alkaline claim.
In certain cases, manufacturers use a special device to change the chemical makeup of the water. By mixing fertilizers into the water, they can occasionally change the pH.
Manufacturers are still required to follow EPA guidelines, regardless of the process they use.
The average pH of American tap water is around 4.3, which is higher than neutral water but lower than that of orange juice and coffee.
Coffee has a pH of about 5.3 and orange juice is approximately 3.3. However, tap water differs from area to region, depending on where you live.
2. How Does Alkaline Water Benefit Your Health?
Alkaline water proponents assert that, especially after a strenuous workout, its higher hydrogen content offers better hydration than ordinary water.
According to some research, drinking alkaline water may lessen oxidative stress and increase hydration.
According to supporters, a more balanced pH level in the body is achieved by helping to cleanse and neutralize the body’s acidity.
Many diverse civilizations have employed alkaline water as a natural cure for thousands of years. Some contend that consuming water with a pH below 7 causes your blood and cells to become too acidic.
They attribute various health issues, including cancer and osteoporosis, to plain water’s low pH.
Although there isn’t any concrete proof to support these assertions, alkaline water consumers frequently note that it can’t hurt.
It is believed that more alkaline water lowers blood acidity and:
- Improves metabolism.
- Boosts energy.
- Reduces aging.
- Betters digestion.
- Reduces bone loss.
Proponents of high-pH water claim that it can starve cancer cells as well.
3. What Do Studies Suggest About Alkaline Water?
Few studies have been done, and they have all largely failed to find any health advantages of drinking alkaline water. Manufacturers’ assertions are more intended to increase sales than to have alkaline water benefits supported by articles and research.
Your body can maintain stable pH levels on its own. If your blood gets excessively alkaline, your kidneys release more acid through your urine.
Gastric fluids, which are made up of hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes, neutralize everything you consume. This is how the body maintains equilibrium and guards against the risks associated with too much alkaline blood.
4. Alkaline Water taste
The pH of alkaline water might be higher than that of tap water, which ranges from 7.35 to 7.45.
This can alter the flavor of any beverage you put in, such as coffee or tea. A small amount of fruit juice or honey can be added to alkaline water to make it more appetizing.
5. Alkaline Water as a Treatment For Acid Reflux
According to research, alkaline water with a pH of 8.8 helps relieve acid reflux. Pepsin, an enzyme breaking down dietary proteins and a major contributor to the illness is killed by the higher pH level.
Eighty-nine percent of the 30 participants who participated in the study said their symptoms had improved after consuming alkaline water for eight weeks.
Acid reflux has been successfully treated with alkaline water. Pepsin, the enzyme responsible for digesting the proteins in meals, might be killed by the increased pH level. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is caused by chronic acid reflux, can harm the esophagus (GERD).