On Dec. 10, 2018, Dr. Oz weighed in on the trend of alkaline water. Is it better to drink alkaline water? What is it? Are there any health benefits? Dr. Oz even investigates the first ever water experiment.
The biggest claim around alkaline water is that it regulates the pH levels in the body. Many believe this helps to prevent diseases, reduce inflammation and lowers the risk for heart conditions and obesity.
Dr. Oz tested alkaline water against regular water. According to Oz, alkaline water has a pH that is a little higher than regular water. The pH scale ranges from 1 to 14. Regular water has a pH of 7, which is neutral. Anything below 7 is acidic and above is alkaline. Water that is alkaline ranges between 8 and 10 pH. According to Dr. Oz, he cannot find any studies that prove alkaline water neutralizes the body. Dr. Jennifer Caudle states that the body has a sophisticated method to maintain the proper pH balance and alkaline water is not necessary.
Naturally alkaline water differs chemically from artificially alkaline water. More importantly, artificially alkaline water causes side effects and should be avoided as drinking water.
Artificially alkaline water only neutralized acidity where there is direct contact, such as the stomach and small intestine. When alkaline water is consumed on a daily basis, the small intestine becomes overly alkaline and side effects occur. The most common side effects are erratic heartbeat, hypertension, nervousness/anxiety, urinary tract and bladder infections, and stabbing side pains.
Numerous individuals have been hospitalized for heart conditions that disappeared when they stopped drinking artificially alkalized water. Dr. Oz wonders why anyone would ingest anything unnatural when there are natural alternatives at a comparable cost.
A clinical study involving rats revealed more side effects. Electrolyzed Reduced Water or water created by an ionizer causes damage to the heart muscle.
Bottled alkaline water is subject to regulation by the FDA and it may have nutrients added to achieve the proper pH. Proponents of alkaline water believe that it can help prevent diseases such as heart disease and cancer, however, more research is needed to know for sure.
There are studies that suggest alkaline water can help to slow bone loss, however, this claim needs to be investigated further to determine if alkaline water influences overall bone mineral density and it the benefit is maintained for the long term.
It is important to drink naturally alkaline water daily for excellent health. Drinking naturally alkaline water supplies the body with the alkaline minerals needed to buffer acid. While all of these minerals are not nutritionally available, they do buffer acid.
In nature, water flows down mountain streams and picks up alkaline minerals from rocks in the stream. Water systems that create naturally alkaline water work the same way. The water flows around a gravel bed to naturally pick up alkaline minerals. What is the best way to determine if an alkaline water system creates alkalinity naturally or artificially? Naturally alkaline water systems are typically much larger than the artificial variety and they do not use electricity.
“When you begin comparing water systems, you will find one that mimics natural processes to create a structured, naturally alkaline water direct from your tap. No electricity. No shortcuts. Just naturally perfect water that heals.”
By Jeanette
Source:
CMR News: Dr. Oz Show Today: Is Alkaline Water Better for You?
Image Courtesy of eltpics’ Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
