How Water pH may affect your health

The pH of the water you drink matters. Alkaline water has a pH of higher than 7, which it gets from healthy essential minerals that you need for better health. Acidic water has a pH of less than 7 and often lacks the minerals you need for good health. Many studies suggest that if you want your water to benefit your health, you’d better make sure it has alkaline minerals in it

Water pH and Alkalinity is NOT the same thing!

Many people think that water’s alkalinity refers to its pH, but that’s not the case. The term pH stands for potential hydrogen. It measures how much hydrogen the water contains that is available for chemical reactions. Alkalinity, on the other hand, measures the water’s ability to neutralize acids.

It is possible to have water with high alkalinity, but with only a slightly higher than neutral pH. You can also have water with a high pH, but weak alkalinity. Alkaline water from a water ionizer has higher alkalinity than regular water, and that’s why alkaline water has the ability to neutralize more acid than regular water.

Water pH matters for Hydration

Studies have shown that the pH of the water you drink may have an effect on how well your body absorbs it. One way water gets into and out of cells through tiny channels called aquaporins. In the intestines, the aquaporins responsible for absorbing water (AQP 3) are gated – controlled – by pH. They open when water pH is alkaline; they close when it’s acidic. Some health experts reco0mmend a pH of 9.5 for daily drinking.

Can Alkaline Water Help You?

Alkaline water has potential benefits because of the healthy minerals in it. Mineral deficiency is common in the US, and it contributes to many health problems such as:

• Heart Trouble
• High Blood Pressure
• Weak Bones
• Obesity
• Premature Aging

Drinking alkaline water may help improve these conditions when they’re caused by mineral deficiency. If you are concerned about mineral deficiency, talk to your doctor. Keep in mind that studies of alkaline water report on potential benefits. We recommend talking to your doctor about alkaline water

If you are mineral deficient and start drinking alkaline water, here’s what you should check yourself for:

• pH Balance – Your body’s pH, measured by your urine, may rise
• Reduced calcium loss – You can test for this at home, but your doctor is your best bet
• Weight reduction – As part of a healthy diet
• Blood pressure improvements

By monitoring these conditions, your doctor can determine if alkaline water is benefiting you

The best way to tell if alkaline water is actually benefiting you is to tell your doctor that you plan to start drinking alkaline water. Your doctor can perform simple tests to determine your pH balance, calcium loss, and blood pressure. Of course, you can watch your weight yourself by stepping on the scale. You can also do some simple tests at home

Click here to learn how to measure your urine pH

Click here to learn how to measure calcium loss

Do you need more information about alkaline water? Call our healthy water experts today at: 877-959-7977.

Reference

Benefits of alkaline (hard) water for the heart

Gumashta, J, R Gumashta, et al. “Hard water and heart: the story revisited.” IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences. (2013): n. page. Web. 8 Jul. 2013. http://iosrjournals.org/iosr-jpbs/papers/vol1-issue1/B0110720.pdf.

Research on Aquaporins, including AQP 3 – which is gated by pH

Bowen, R. “Aquaporins: Water Channels.” Aquaporins. Colorado State University, 28 Nov 2005. Web.5 Jul 2013. http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/molecules/aquaporins.html>.

Theoretical and computational biophysics group at the University of Illinois:

Koznon, David, Yasui Masato, and et al. “Aquaporin water channels: atomic structure molecular dynamics meet clinical medicine.” Journal of Clinical Investigation. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 01 Jun 2002. Web. 5 Jul 2013. <http://www.jci.org/articles/view/15851>.

FDA Disclosure

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  The preceding information and/or products are for educational purposes only and are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or treat illness. Please consult your doctor before making any changes or before starting ANY exercise or nutritional supplement program or before using this information or any product during pregnancy or if you have a serious medical condition.