Staying hydrated is essential for survival, as water plays a vital role in the body’s functions considering it makes up around 60% of the body’s weight. Despite claims about the superiority of alkaline water over other variants, there is no scientific evidence to support this assertion.
Definition of alkaline water
Alkaline water is defined by its pH level, which measures the acidity or basicity of a substance on a scale from 0 to 14, with 0 being highly acidic and 14 being very basic or alkaline. Typically, waterfalls within a pH range of 6.5 to 8.5, as recommended by the World Health Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency for safe drinking water.
However, in low-income areas, water may have a pH below this range. To create alkaline water, an ionization process is employed to chemically modify the water, raising its pH to around 8 or 9. Additionally, alkaline water must contain essential minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
Alkaline water, with a typical pH level of 8 or 9, only exhibits a slight 1-2 point difference from the pH of most pure water, which is 7. Claims that it can “neutralize the blood in your body” lack scientific support. Even if such a claim were true, the minimal pH difference wouldn’t be significant. The ideal pH range for the human body is 7.35 to 7.45, and our body rigorously maintains this balance. Shifts in our body’s acid-base chemistry usually occur during active illnesses like diabetic ketoacidosis.
Is alkaline water effective in hydration?
Some argue that alkaline water is more effective at hydration than regular water, but this assertion is unfounded as the pH level of water does not impact its hydrating properties. In reality, adequate water consumption is the key to proper hydration, regardless of the water’s pH. The only potential basis for the alkaline water claim lies in the presence of magnesium, potassium, and sodium in it, which can aid in hydration.
Therefore it is important to note that alkaline water is not better than regular water and to stay hydrated we need to consume adequate amount of water preferably 64 ounces per day.
