What is 11.5 alkaline water?
Alkaline refers to part of the pH scale. This scale is from 0-14, the lower numbers are more acidic while the higher numbers are more alkaline with 7 being neutral. Most alkaline waters have a pH of 8 or 9 while pure water has a neutral pH of 7. As the name implies 11.5 alkaline water has a pH of 11.5. The idea is that drinking alkaline water counteracts extra acidity in the body.
Does alkaline water alter the body’s natural pH level?
Not really. Most of the time, your blood maintains a pH of 7; it falls right in the middle of the pH scale. What you eat and drink only alters the pH of your urine. So when you drink alkaline water, you’ll change the pH of what’s in your toilet bowl, not your blood. Plus, when the alkaline water you drink hits your stomach, the acids in your gut neutralize it. So essentially, you’re paying a lot of money to drink something that won’t affect your body’s acidity.
Is regular tap water alkaline?
Pure water has a pH of 7, so like your blood, it’s neutral. Water from the tap varies in its pH, typically ranging between 6.5-8.5. It also contains important minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, bicarbonate and silica. In fact, depending where tap water is sourced, it can provide between 1 and 20 percent of your daily calcium and magnesium requirements. Hard water is more alkaline and has a higher mineral content than soft.
Can drinking alkaline water help minimize acid reflux symptoms?
There are a few studies that suggest drinking alkaline water inactivates pepsin, the enzyme responsible for acid reflux. But these studies were done in a petri dish, not humans, so there’s really no telling how alkaline water will affect patients with acid reflux.
If drinking alkaline water doesn’t make a difference, how can we alter our body’s pH?
The human body is a wonderful and complex machine. If there’s an imbalance in your pH level, your body will correct it, no matter what you drink. For example, if your blood becomes too acidic, you will breathe out more carbon dioxide. The kidneys are also able to excrete excess acid in your urine.
Is It Safe To Drink 11.5 Alkaline Water?
Research on the safety of alkaline water is mixed, according to the Mayo Clinic, regular water is best for most people. They state that there is no scientific evidence that fully verifies the claims made by supporters of alkaline water. However, there are a few studies that suggest alkaline water might be helpful for certain conditions.
For example, a 2012 study found that drinking naturally carbonated artesian-well alkaline water with a pH of 8.8 may help deactivate pepsin, the main enzyme that causes acid reflux. Another study suggested that drinking alkaline ionized water may have benefits for people with high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
A more recent study that included 100 people found a significant difference in whole blood viscosity after consuming high-pH water compared to regular water after a strenuous workout. Viscosity is the direct measurement of how efficiently blood flows through the vessels.
Those who consumed high-pH water reduced viscosity by 6.3 percent compared to 3.36 percent with standard purified drinking water. This means blood flowed more efficiently with alkaline water. This can increase oxygen delivery throughout out the body.
However, many are advising that you shouldn’t drink water with 11.5 pH due to the fact, it is too alkaline for the body. According to them, if someone drinks 11.5 alkaline water the high pH would neutralize stomach acid which in turn will have a negative effect on the digestive system. It can also cause severe and permanent side effects on the cardiovascular systems and the regulation of metabolism which is required to get the necessary energy to stay healthy and do other activities.
Can drinking alkaline water cause problems?
Drinking a bottle of alkaline water every other day won’t significantly affect your body. However, if you drink a gallon of alkaline water daily, your body has to work hard to maintain its pH and that means that over time, your body will produce more gastric juices and digestive enzymes. For people who have a kidney condition or who are taking medication that alters their kidney function, the minerals in alkaline water could start to accumulate in their bodies.
Can you drink too much high pH alkaline water?
A gallon of water is 128 ounces, remember that it takes 144 ounces of high pH (about 11.5 pH) alkaline water to neutralize the acid in a can of soda. Soda has a pH of about 2.5, your stomach acid has a pH of close to 1. It simply isn’t humanly possible to drink a gallon of water in one sitting without getting sick. If you tried to drink a gallon or more of water, you would get hyponatremia – water intoxication – from drinking too much water.
The recommended pH of water for daily consumption
Health experts who have studied alkaline water recommend drinking alkaline water with a pH of 9.5 daily. The reason for this is that good health occurs when everything is in balance. The body regulates its pH in a narrow range, and alkaline water with a pH of 9.5 is right about perfect for maintaining the body’s pH balance.
When should you drink and use high pH alkaline water
There are times when it’s best to drink alkaline water with a pH of 10 – 11. If you are experiencing symptoms of metabolic acidosis such as acid indigestion, a glass of high pH alkaline water may speed relief. Athletes also can use a high pH alkaline water to alkalize their bodies prior to working out. High pH alkaline water is also useful to reduce the acidity of some foods, such as fruit juices and coffee. Alkaline water neutralizes acidic pesticide residues on produce. Simply soak your produce in high pH alkaline water for about 20 minutes and rinse.
