Alkaline Water: Benefits, Uses, Side Effects and Dangers

When the Ph value of water becomes higher than the normal water, it is known as alkaline water. Alkaline water is basic in nature and bitter in taste. The value of Ph in normal water is 7 whereas in alkaline water the ph is greater than 7. It contains minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate and these compounds are bound to hydrogen to make it more basic. Alkaline water can cause deposits that can encrust pipes and appliances.

Alkaline water has many benefits and uses along with some side effects. I will tell you how to prepare alkaline water at home and what are the dangers of drinking alkaline water.  So in this blog, we are going to read some interesting stuff on alkaline water. 

Benefits of Alkaline water

Alkaline water has lot many health benefits which are as follows:-

1. Treating Acid Reflux

It is a phenomenon when the acidic food content is pushed back to the food pipe. It can also cause a disease known as gastroesophageal reflux disease. It was found that the alkaline water at ph 8.8 is taken then it stops an enzyme to get released which is related to acid reflux. 

2. Hydration

It is one of the important benefits of drinking alkaline water. Our body absorbs alkaline water faster than normal water because of its iodized nature. It will keep your body hydrated while doing exercise or any kind of physical work especially when you have any kind of health concerns like diabetes and cholesterol which requires faster absorption of water.

3. Detoxification

Alkaline water has the tendency of distributing itself all over the body cells due to which our body gets detoxify from the toxins which got accumulated from the environment and the food we intake. 

4. Prevents Cancer

According to studies Cancer cells thrive in an acidic environment, and alkaline water has the property to neutralize acid, alkaline water can also reduce inflammation which is one of the major causes of cancer.

5. Anti-Aging

Drinking water is very important, as it hydrates our skin and helps us to glow but what if we drink alkaline water? It hydrates our skin more and makes it glow. The more your skin is hydrated the more it will work against the aging process.

6. Good during pregnancy

If a pregnant woman drinks alkaline water than there are high chances to get smooth delivery and reduce the possibility of jaundice. 

7. Helps to treat diabetes

According to Korean studies, alkaline water can reduce blood glucose levels. It may also treat high cholesterol associated with diabetes.

8. Hair growth

Like normal water alkaline water can also boost the blood circulation so as a result, we can have faster hair growth of healthy and shiny hairs.

How to make alkaline water at home?

Now I am going to tell you six different ways to prepare alkaline water from your tap water at home.

1. Lemon juice

Yes! Lemon juice can convert your tap water into alkaline water. It is acidic in nature but produces basic byproducts when it is metabolized. It is helpful in reducing acidity present in the blood. Lemon is always treated as a part of the alkaline diet. 

Simply add 1/8 tablespoon of lemon juice in the tap water which is clean. You can juice the lemons in the advance for future use. 

2. Baking Soda

It is one of the most popular ways to make your normal water alkaline. The pH level of baking soda is 9 and the recipe to make alkaline water is similar to that of lemon juice recipe.

Just add 1/8 tablespoon of baking soda in 8 fluid ounces of pure tap water. Shake and mix till the time baking soda gets dissolved in the water, you will get your alkaline water.

3. Using pH drops

If you don’t want to squeeze lemon or add baking soda then you can also prepare alkaline water with the help of pH drops which one of the fastest ways to make your water alkaline. 

These ph drops are easily available in the market and you can carry it everywhere. You need to add only few drops of pH drops in your glass of water. pH drops are more popular as it can alkalize hundreds of glasses of water with just one bottle of pH drops. 

4. Installing water ionizers

Installing water ionizers are one of the most effective ways to get alkaline water at home. They may be expensive but it is also a one-time investment to alkalize your water without any effort anytime. These water ionizers works on the principle of electrolysis by separating the negative and positive ions from the water.

For a long term use, water ionizers will be more price effective as compared to packed bottles.

5. Water Filter Pitcher

These are simple jugs which filters water and gives you alkalized water as a byproduct. Its main function is to filter the water and reduce the amount of impurities present in the water. The level of pH obtained by the alkalized water depends on the filter used. 

Also Read: How to cure Chicken Pox at home

Uses of Alkaline water

Other than health benefits alkaline water have some uses in our daily life as well which are as follows:

1. Cooking – Alkaline water is very useful in cooking; it can help in cooking vegetables in a better and tastier way. It can cook Chicken and meat very firmer. 

2. Watering Plants – If plants are watered by alkaline water than they will look healthier and will live longer. 

3. Feeding pets – When you give alkaline water to your paw friend than it will become more energetic and their feces will smell better too.

Side effects of taking alkaline water

So, we are done with the uses and health benefits of alkaline water. Now it’s time to some check side effects of drinking alkaline water. 

• Muscle twitching
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Confusion 
• Hand tremors
• Tingling on face

Although drinking alkaline water is considered safe but still, it has some negative effects. These above side effects occur when the body reaches a condition known as alkalosis. Alkalosis is a condition when the pH level of the body becomes very high.

Dangers of drinking alkaline water

Excess of anything is poison, so is the case with alkaline water. Too much alkalinity in the body can cause metabolic alkalosis which can lead to severe metabolic issues. The following are the dangers associated with drinking alkaline water in excess.

• Alkaline water if taken in excess can lead to dehydration rather than keeping the body hydrated. Due to an increase in levels of ions body will become dehydrated.
• It can lead to cardiovascular disorders. 
• It can cause a malfunction in the digestive system by interfering in the pH level of the stomach in excess.
• Alkaline water can exert pressure on kidneys as the role of this organ is to maintain pH level of the body.
• Due to imbalance of pH level due to excess intake of alkaline water can lead to headache, soreness in muscles, insomnia etc.

So these were the benefits, uses and side effects and dangers of drinking alkaline water. I hope you like the blog, Stay tuned for more

“STAY HYDRATED”