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What Are the Health Benefits of Alkaline Water?

If you’re into health and looking after your body, then you may have heard the buzz around alkaline water. But what is it? Is it good for you? And what about ORP and antioxidants? Let’s unpick the science on this hot topic.

What Is Alkaline Water?

Alkaline water is drinking water that has a slightly alkaline pH level. On the pH scale 0-6 is acidic, 7 is neutral and 8-14 is alkaline. Tap water is normally neutral, sparkling water or fizzy drinks are acidic (as they contain carbonic acid) and many herbal teas (such as green tea) will be slightly alkaline. Alkaline water generally has a pH level of 8 or 9.

Is Alkaline Water Good for You?

There have been a number of small-scale studies that have shown positive benefits of alkaline water on health, these include:

A study in 2012 concluded that “The consumption of alkaline water may have therapeutic benefits for patients with [acid] reflux disease” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22844861/

Research in China suggested that “The levels of blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipids decreased significantly even to normal ranges after alkaline ionized water was drunk. Conclusions Alkaline ionized water may be used as one of the accessory therapeutic methods for essential hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidaemia.” http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-SHYI200112005.htm

A study in 2016 found “A significant difference in whole blood viscosity was detected in this study when assessing a high-pH, electrolyte water versus an acceptable standard purified water during the recovery phase following strenuous exercise-induced dehydration.” https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-016-0153-8

Other benefits commonly associated with alkaline antioxidant water include:

  • Immune support
  • Anti-ageing properties (see ORP below)
  • Energy levels and overall health
  • Disease prevention – including cancer, diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer’s.

How Is Alkaline Water Made?

Alkaline water is achieved in 2 main ways:

  1. Electrolysis via an ionizer
  2. Passing water through our Re-Mineralize, Alkaline PLUS filter (the third filter in the Tapure Water Purifier under sink water filtration system).
  3. Electrolysis involves an ionizer machine, which uses electricity to separate the molecules in water that are acidic or alkaline. The acidic water is funneled out so that only alkaline water with a pH of between 8 or 9 remains.
  4. Tapure Re-Mineralize, Alkaline PLUS filtration involves passing water through a filter cartridge that contains ceramic mineral balls. The pH of Tapure filtered water is generally between 8.5 and 9.5 on the pH scale.

As well as making the water slightly alkaline, the Tapure filters also re-mineralize the water, adding in potassium, calcium, magnesium and sodium. They increase the release of molecular hydrogen and lower the water’s Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) to between -100mV and -250mV, lending the water antioxidant properties.

N.B. Re-Mineralize filtration should be used in conjunction with water purifier such as reverse osmosis – so that all impurities are removed before Re-minerlisation. There is no point creating alkaline water that hasn’t had all the contaminants filtered out of it.

The function of water in the body

What Is ORP and Why Is It Important?

ORP means Oxidation Reduction Potential and it is the amount of energy in water in terms of electrons. The movement of electrons is electricity and is measured in millivolts. Drinking water should have a rating of at least -50 millivolts (mV).

The human body requires a negative ORP to function and thrive. Water is the most crucial ingredient to good health – it affects every part of our body. So it stands to reason that we should pay close attention to the water that we drink to nourish our body.

Water with a negative ORP value can donate extra ions, whereas liquids with a positive ORP lead to ion absorption, potentially causing free radicals in the body. Without a balance of free radicals in the body your immune system can become overrun and you may get ill.

When water (such as antioxidant, alkaline water) has a negative ORP, it can donate electrons to neutralize free radicals. This provides antioxidant properties, which are often associated with cellular health and anti-ageing.

Tap water in the UK can have a positive ORP value due to the metal ions that are often found in tap water such as chlorine, zinc and copper. This was one of the main drivers in our development of water filtration systems that provide antioxidant, alkaline water. We wanted drinking water for our family that had any toxins removed and could bring a range of health benefits.

Testing Your Water

Every source of tap water will have its own ORP and pH value and a unique mixture of additional minerals, metals and bacteria. If you have concerns about your mains drinking water, you can test it using an ORP meter, litmus paper and a water testing kit. As we said earlier, you’re looking for a low or negative ORP level and either a neutral pH of 7 or an alkaline pH of 8 or 9. Also, assess the smell, taste and clarity of your water.

Alkaline, Antioxidant Water Filtration

If you’re looking for alkaline, antioxidant water that has contaminants removed and has been purified to the highest level, take a look at the Tapure Water Purifier. We’re always happy to chat science and health, so get in touch with Antony if you have questions we haven’t answered.

Other Alkaline Food and Drink Sources

Don’t forget to consider what other liquids and foods you consume.

Here are some additional sources of alkaline drinks and food that you may want to incorporate into a varied, healthy diet:

  • Add some organic grated ginger to your water
  • Try raw milk (do your research first and check it is safe for you to drink it)
  • Almond milk
  • Green tea
  • Fresh vegetable juices.

To find out more about the full range of Tapure filtered water products go to the Tapure website.

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