Mountain Spring Near Prenteg, Porthmadog, North Wales, UK – Photo Courtesy: Christian Guthier
I’ve come to a point where I find it hard to drink water that’s not bottled. I’ve given up on the mineral-void tap and have chosen to buy my H2O in recyclable glass bottles. But, that costs a ton.
I’ve got plenty of water running through the pipes in my apartment and I figured there must be some way to improve it. An Alkaline Water Ionizer should supposedly do the trick. It’s on my wish list for its ability to create alkaline water out of tap water. The price seems a bit high, but it should make for fewer plastic bottles to tote around.
However, after researching a bit, I’m taken aback at the claims and counter-claims regarding the ‘benefits’ of consuming alkaline (ionized) water.
Is Alkaline Water Better?
Alkaline or ionized water is different from normal tap water because of its higher pH level. The proponents of ionized water (of course, the major ones are companies selling those Alkaline Water Ionizers mentioned earlier) claim that it becomes a very powerful antioxidant that cleans up harmful radicals coursing through your bloodstream. It is also claimed to help in reversing degenerative diseases including cancer.
They say that the way it works is by addressing the problem of people who eat a highly acidic diet and as a consequence force their bodies to balance its pH levels and compensating it by taking vital minerals from their bones and tissues. Alkaline water helps to offset this withdrawal in order to keep the pH balance right.
However, I came upon this explanation, regarding this issue, from Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D., certified in dietetics by the state of Minnesota and the American Dietetic Association:
For most people, plain water is best.
Because alkaline water has a higher pH level than does plain tap water, proponents say that it can neutralize acid in your bloodstream, boost your metabolism and help your body absorb nutrients more effectively. Some even say that alkaline water can help prevent disease and slow the aging process. However, researchers haven’t verified these claims.
Some studies suggests that alkaline water may help slow bone loss, but further investigation is needed to determine if this influences overall bone mineral density and if the benefit is maintained over the long term.
So is there Any Benefit of Alkaline Water at all?
For improved health, alkaline water does help, as long as it is provided by Mother Nature (and I love everything about this my beloved mother). It is recommended to drink at least two litres of ‘naturally’ alkaline water daily to supply your body with those alkaline minerals to neutralize the surplus acid.
The water that flows down mountain streams becomes alkaline by picking up minerals from the rocks in the stream, and that is the most beneficial alkaline water. However, not everyone has access to such natural resources. Well, don’t loose hopes as this useful web site at FindaSpring.com might help you locate such a spring in your local area.
A Word on Plastics
Plastics have been both a gift and a curse to our society. Thanks to plastics, many people have new usable prosthetic limbs. They’ve also been a seemingly safer alternative to steel or wood playground equipment. However, everything comes with a price. Plastics are man-made chemicals that poison our immune systems. When drinking water, or microwaving your dinner in a plastic container, you risk the potential leeching of these chemicals into your food.
As a conscious consumer you must measure these facts before making purchases.
If any of you currently use any ionizer or are able to get alkaline water from a spring, I’d like to hear your feedback.
Gina Laverde is a Chicago-based writer and researcher whose expertise in natural health stems from her experiences with Body Ecology Diet, Blood Type Diet and homeopathic remedies. Gina believes that we’re in the midst of a serious world health crisis, and that the key to survival lies within our guts.
Gina Laverde says
Thanks Dave,
Its often easy to ignore the consequences of our decisions on what to buy/eat/support.