In an age where health and wellness take centre stage, the quest for better hydration and overall well-being has led to a surge of interest in alkaline water.
Before you rush to the store to buy expensive bottles of alkaline water, there’s a more cost-effective and eco-friendly way to enjoy this beverage: making your own alkaline water at home.
In this article we’ll delve into the science behind alkaline water, explore its potential advantages, and, most importantly, show you how to easily create your very own alkaline water right in your kitchen.
How to Make Your Own Alkaline Water At Home
Making your own alkaline water at home is actually very easy, Here are the steps to make your own alkaline water at home:
Ingredients and Equipment Needed
- Purified Water: Start with clean, filtered water. You can use a water filter or purchase purified water from a trusted source.
- Baking Soda: You’ll need baking soda, which is an alkaline substance.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon juice can help raise the pH level of your water while adding a pleasant flavor.
- A Pitcher or Container: Choose a clean pitcher or container to prepare and store your alkaline water.
Step By Step Guide
- Prepare Your Water: Fill your pitcher or container with purified water. It’s essential to start with a clean slate for the best results.
- Add Baking Soda: Gradually add a small amount of baking soda to the water. You can start with about 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water. Stir well to ensure the baking soda dissolves completely. Baking soda is alkaline and will increase the pH of the water.
- Add Lemon Juice: Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the water. Aim for the juice of half a lemon per gallon of water, or adjust to taste. Lemon is acidic by nature but has an alkalizing effect on the body when metabolized.
- Mix Thoroughly: Stir the water well to ensure that the baking soda and lemon juice are evenly distributed.
- Let It Sit: Allow the water to sit for a few minutes, ideally for about 5-10 minutes. During this time, the alkaline properties of baking soda will interact with the acidity of the lemon, creating a more balanced pH level.
- Refrigerate (Optional): If you prefer your alkaline water cold, you can refrigerate it for a while before consuming.
- Enjoy: Your homemade alkaline water is now ready to be consumed. Pour it into a glass and savor the refreshing and potentially health-enhancing beverage.
Remember that the taste and pH level of your alkaline water can be adjusted to your liking by varying the amounts of baking soda and lemon juice.
How Much Alkaline Water Should You Drink In a Day
The amount of alkaline water you should drink in a day, like any other type of water, can vary from person to person based on individual factors such as age, activity level, climate, and overall health. As a general guideline, it’s recommended to drink an adequate amount of water to stay well-hydrated, and this can include alkaline water if you prefer it. Here are some general guidelines:
- Adequate Hydration: The commonly recommended daily water intake is around 8 cups, which is approximately 2 liters or half a gallon. However, individual water needs can vary. Some people may require more water due to factors like physical activity, high-temperature environments, or certain health conditions.
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to your body’s signals. Thirst is a reliable indicator that it’s time to drink water. If you’re feeling thirsty, have a glass of water, whether it’s alkaline or regular.
- Incorporate Alkaline Water Mindfully: If you choose to drink alkaline water, there’s no strict rule on how much to consume. You can incorporate it into your daily hydration routine alongside regular water. It’s important to maintain a balance and not excessively rely on alkaline water as your sole source of hydration.
- Consider Individual Needs: Some people prefer to have a glass of alkaline water with meals or as a refreshment during the day. If you have specific health concerns or are following a particular diet, consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice on your water intake.
- Be Cautious with High pH Water: If you’re considering water with a very high pH (above 9), be cautious and consult with a healthcare provider. Extremely high alkalinity may not be suitable for everyone and could disrupt your body’s natural pH balance.
- Monitor Your Health: Pay attention to how your body responds to the amount of alkaline water you consume. If you experience any adverse effects or discomfort, it’s essential to adjust your intake accordingly.
It’s important to emphasize that while some people choose to drink alkaline water for its potential benefits, scientific research on the health effects of alkaline water is ongoing, and the benefits are still a subject of debate. Staying well-hydrated with clean, safe water is the primary goal, whether it’s alkaline or regular water.
What ph Level Should Alkaline Water Be
The pH level of alkaline water typically ranges from 8 to 9 on the pH scale, with a pH of 7 being considered neutral. It’s important to understand that the pH scale is logarithmic, meaning that each whole number on the scale represents a tenfold difference in acidity or alkalinity.
So, a pH of 9 is ten times more alkaline than a pH of 8, and a hundred times more alkaline than a pH of 7 (neutral).
What Are The Benefits Of Drinking Alkaline Water
Drinking alkaline water has gained popularity in recent years, with proponents claiming a range of potential health benefits.
It is important to note that scientific research on these benefits is ongoing, and some claims are more anecdotal than rigorously proven. Here are some of the potential benefits associated with drinking alkaline water:
- Balancing pH Levels: One of the central claims is that alkaline water can help balance the body’s pH levels. The theory is that a diet high in acidic foods can lead to an overly acidic pH, and alkaline water can help counteract this acidity. However, the body has its own natural mechanisms for regulating pH levels, and there is limited scientific evidence to support the idea that drinking alkaline water significantly influences the body’s pH balance.
- Hydration: Alkaline water is believed to be more easily absorbed by the body due to its smaller molecular clusters. While proper hydration is essential for overall health, research is inconclusive regarding whether alkaline water hydrates more effectively than regular water.
- Antioxidant Properties: Some proponents claim that alkaline water has antioxidant properties, which can help combat free radicals and reduce oxidative stress in the body. This is often attributed to the presence of negatively charged ions in alkaline water. However, the extent to which these properties benefit human health is still a subject of research.
- Improved Digestion: Drinking alkaline water is thought by some to improve digestion and relieve acid reflux symptoms. It is suggested that the water can neutralize stomach acid. While anecdotal evidence supports this idea, scientific studies on the topic are limited.
- Muscle Function and Recovery: Athletes and fitness enthusiasts may find benefits in alkaline water. Some believe that it can help reduce muscle soreness and improve muscle function. Again, more research is needed to substantiate these claims.
- Detoxification: Alkaline water is sometimes associated with detoxifying the body by helping to remove toxins. This claim is not well-supported by scientific evidence, and the liver and kidneys are primarily responsible for detoxification in the body.
- Bone Health: Some proponents suggest that alkaline water may help maintain bone health by reducing the body’s need to leach minerals from bones to buffer acidity. However, this hypothesis requires further investigation.
