Alkaline water has been a growing trend amongst fitness and diet influencers touted as a water that can help neutralise the acid in the bloodstream and beneficial in preventing disease.

We all know how important it is to drink plenty of water and keep hydrated, but is alkaline water better than filtered water, or is it just another trend being pushed by social media influencers?

What is alkaline water?

Alkaline water has a higher pH than plain water. PH is used to describe how acidic a substance is on a scale of 0 to 14. A higher pH number is alkaline; a lower pH is acidic. A substance is alkaline if it has a pH greater than 7.

Alkaline water has a pH between 8-9, while tap water has a pH of approximately 7. Alkaline water owes its pH to a higher content of minerals or salt.

The body regulates pH levels in the blood to about 7.4, slightly alkaline. If the balance of the blood is disturbed it can cause negative side effects and even be life-threatening.

The pH balance in the blood can be altered by conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, kidney disease, chronic lung disease, or alcohol abuse. Excess salt and refined sugar in the diet, processed foods, pesticides, stress, and lack of sleep can also contribute to the overproduction of acid in the blood.

What are the purported benefits of alkaline water?

Alkaline water is said to help counteract the harmful effects of acid-producing foods and neutralise the acid in the bloodstream and has a supposed reducing effect on oxidative stress. The benefits that are promoted range from weight loss, prevention of osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes and even cancer.

Is it safe to consume alkaline water?

Drinking alkaline drinking water is considered safe. For high-performance athletes, it may be an option to help reverse dehydration due to its higher concentration of electrolytes.

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