Every year, we get a new diet trend. One year it is the Paleo Diet, one year it is the Keto diet, low-fat diet, and so on. With that in mind, lately, a new trend has been swirling around, and that is alkaline water.
Now, buying alkaline water at the store is simple, but it costs at least $8 per bottle. Isn’t that a bit too much? We thought so as well. That is why, today, we will talk about how to make alkaline water at home.
Water is always good, as it keeps you hydrated, makes your skin glow, keeps your body functioning at an optimal level, and so on. And unless you are an alkaline water fan, nothing beats water.
What is alkaline water?
You are probably confused about what is alkaline water? Well, we have to get to chemistry to explain. Every single food and drink has its own pH value, and the human body has one as well. pH levels can range from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very alkaline).
Caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and similar inflammatory foods can make your body more acidic, which is an environment for diseases and illnesses.
The more alkaline mindset means that you encourage your body to be between pH 7.5 and pH 9, which is a more alkaline state.
Drinking alkaline water can help you achieve that. Those who support this trend, say that drinking the water gives their body a boost and protects them against inflammation.
So, is alkaline water more marketing than merit? Let’s talk about the pros and cons, and then how to make alkaline water on your own.
Benefits of alkaline water
As with every product on the market, there are pros and cons. The question is whether the benefits outweigh the downsides.
Well, let’s talk about the benefits.
Pros of alkaline water
- Super hydrating, and while this is obvious, alkaline water provides a bit more hydration to your body. Drinking alkaline water can help the digestive system run smoothly and at an optimal level, but also make your skin glow. We have to say, there is no study that shows alkaline water is more hydrating than regular water
- Protects your body against free radicals. This is the area where alkaline water differs from regular water. Unlike regular water, alkaline water has an antioxidant effect on the body and protects you against that nasty oxidative damage. Free radicals can cause all sorts of problems, including speeding up aging symptoms, and even cancer
- Alkaline water is beneficial for people with reflux problems, and calm down your stomach after eating spicy foods. How it does this? By providing minerals that calm down inflammation in the gut
- In the same time, alkaline water promotes healthy digestion, as it provides anti-inflammatory benefits to your body. Drinking alkaline water, you help the food move through the digestive tract easily
- Last, but not least, alkaline water can contribute to longevity, at least according to a study conducted on mice
Cons of alkaline water
There are benefits of drinking alkaline water and learning how to make alkaline water at home. But there are also potential risks and side effects. Even the healthiest product on the market can be dangerous if not consumed properly.
- Alkaline water can mess up your stomach acid. And while the whole point is to balance the body and make it more alkaline, drinking too much of it can cause a deficiency of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. When this happens, your digestive system will not work properly, and cannot digest food and kill harmful bacteria
- Consuming too much alkaline water can also cause muscle twitching, as your body pH will be thrown out of control. This condition, known as metabolic alkalosis, can cause symptoms like vomiting, tingling, and muscle twitching
- Last, but not least, alkaline water can affect your skin and eyes in a negative way. If you achieve a pH value of 10 or higher, the alkaline state can irritate your eyes and worsen existing skin issues
Top 6 Ways to Make Alkaline Water
Baking soda
We all know baking soda has a high pH level. And that is how it can help alkalize water. The recommended recipe is 1/8 tablespoon of baking soda and 8 ounces of purified water.
Stir or shake the mixture, and once the baking soda is completely dissolved, you can drink. Make sure to shake thoroughly.
You should also remember that baking soda is high in sodium. And if you are on a diet that requires cutting down on salt, you should avoid baking soda. The benefits are not worth the risk.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice is part of the alkaline diet, and the juice produces basic byproducts when metabolized. Yes, lemon juice has a pH value between 2 and 3, but if you add it to the drinking water, you can reduce blood acidity.
The good news is that diluted lemon juice is actually quite tasty to drink. Whether it turns into alkaline water is up to debate. And the bonus is you will up your vitamin C consumption. Mix 1/8 tablespoon of lemon juice with 8 ounces of clean water to prepare the drink.
pH drops
This product has gained popularity lately thanks to the alkaline water trend. pH drops are nothing more than liquids with minerals and electrolytes. Add a couple of them to a glass of water, and you will increase the pH value of the water. They come in a small handy bottle, and you can carry them anywhere with you.
Water ionizer
This is the most efficient way for how to make alkaline water at home. You just need to get a water ionizer, a machine that takes advantage of the electrolysis phenomenon. The machine separates the positive and negative electrodes in water, and returns two streams of water, alkaline and acidic.
The risk is that sometimes, your ionizer can produce water with pH value of 12, which is too high for drinking.
It is the most affordable option money-wise in the long term, if you want to drink alkaline water. The only downside is the initial price, which can go between $1,000 and $1,500.
Water filtration system
This is another way to get alkaline water at home. Simple filters include mineral balls along with the layers of filtration materials. More advanced filters give back minerals back to the water which was taken away while purifying the water.
Water filter pitcher
For a basic home product to make alkaline water, the water filter pitcher is the simplest thing. You will in water, it passes through some layer of filtration, and comes out slightly alkalized. But there will not be high pH value, or high alkaline water.
These pitchers are mostly designed to reduce chlorine and other impurities in the water. Alkalization is merely a byproduct.
