Alkaline Water: Understanding Its Nature and Benefits
Alkaline water, often referred to as alkaline ionized water, is a commercially available form of water with a high pH level. The term “pH” represents the acid-base balance of water. Natural water typically has a pH ranging from 6.5 to 8.5, a range that is regulated by the carbon dioxide-bicarbonate-carbonate equilibrium system.
When the amount of dissolved carbon dioxide in water increases, the pH drops, resulting in more acidic water. Conversely, a reduction in carbon dioxide levels raises the pH, creating alkaline water.
The pH level of water plays a significant role in determining its corrosivity, which is a measure of how aggressively water can erode metals in distribution systems. Corrosive water can dissolve metals, particularly copper and lead, from plumbing systems, raising the metal concentration in drinking water and potentially causing various health issues.
Water with a pH below 7 is generally more corrosive than alkaline water. To counteract water corrosivity, one effective approach is treating the water with alkaline substances to raise its pH levels.
How Alkaline Water Is Made
Alkaline water can be produced through water electrolysis, a process that separates acidic and alkaline components of water. Additionally, when natural water flows over rocks, it collects minerals and becomes naturally alkaline. Similarly, electrolyzed water can also be created by using minerals like calcium and magnesium, which are enriched with hydrogen molecules.
This specific type of water, produced through these processes, is often termed “alkaline reduced water.”
The Health Advantages of Alkaline Water
Several studies have highlighted the potential health benefits of alkaline water. For example, research has shown that consuming alkaline ionized water can reduce blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels while improving metabolic functions. It achieves this by suppressing the production of free radicals in mice with metabolic disorders, protecting their pancreatic beta cells from oxidative damage. Additionally, alkaline water has been found to regulate cholesterol levels and reduce the rate of weight gain in obese mice.
In patients undergoing hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease, alkaline water consumption has been shown to mitigate adverse side effects, such as excessive free radical production. Furthermore, in cases of urinary bladder stones, it accelerates the excretion of melamine, preventing its buildup in the bladder and improving related pathological conditions.
Due to its high pH, alkaline water neutralizes stomach acids effectively, making it beneficial for individuals suffering from gastrointestinal issues like gastric hyperacidity and diarrhea. It has also been proven to help inactivate pepsin, an enzyme responsible for acid reflux, offering relief to those with laryngopharyngeal or gastroesophageal reflux diseases.
For healthy adults, consuming electrolyzed alkaline water has demonstrated benefits in reducing exercise-induced dehydration by lowering high-shear blood viscosity, which measures the thickness and flow of blood.
Interestingly, studies on mice have indicated that alkaline water consumption can contribute to longevity. Mice given alkaline water exhibited better survival rates compared to those drinking regular water.
Beyond drinking, bathing in alkaline water has also shown promising results. Research involving mice suggests that bathing in alkaline water can reduce skin damage caused by UV exposure by balancing pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.
Are There Any Risks?
Although alkaline water offers many benefits, maintaining proper quality control is essential to ensure its pH stays within safe limits. According to WHO guidelines for drinking water, water with a pH exceeding 9 can cause skin and eye irritation in animals like mice and rabbits. For humans, water with a pH above 10 can lead to skin, eye, and mucous membrane irritation, as well as gastrointestinal discomfort in sensitive individuals.
Additionally, the process of water electrolysis can result in electrode degradation, leading to the release of reactive platinum nanoparticles, which may have toxic effects.