“Alkaline” “Alkaline Water” “Ionized Water”. Do these words sound familiar? Any clue about what they are?

Here’s a quick science lesson for you: Every single food and beverage contains a pH value, ranging from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (alkaline). Normal drinking water located at the middle of the pH scale usually has a pH value of 7, making it neutral.

For alkaline water, it has a higher pH value, between 8 and 9. Some experts claim that foods such as sugar, caffeine, alcohol can make our body more acidic, thereby increasing the risk of developing cancer and other diseases.

In view of that, advocates of alkaline water believe that drinking alkaline water can neutralize the acid level in our body, making us less prone to illnesses and diseases.

Surprised? What’s more eye-opening is that making alkaline water at home is not rocket science. You can simply turn your tap water into alkaline water in few steps.

Here are 4 popular methods teaching you how to make alkaline water at home.

METHODS OF MAKING ALKALINE WATER

Baking Soda is an alkaline substance with a pH value of 9. Mixing baking soda with water helps alkalize your drinking water.

To try this, just mix 1/8 tablespoon (around 600mg) of baking soda into 8 fluid ounces of purified water. Then stir thoroughly until the baking soda is completely dissolved. Your alkaline water is ready to drink!

An important reminder is that baking soda has high sodium content, if you are on a special diet that limits salt or sodium intake, you might want to try other methods below.

Using fresh lemons instead of baking soda is another alternative to make alkaline water at home.

There is a common misconception among people that lemons create more acidity in the body. In actual, once consumed and digested, lemon juice produces alkaline byproducts which make our urine more alkaline. As such, lemons and lemon juice should not be overlooked.

To make alkaline water at home using lemon, simply cut a lemon into eighths and add them into the water. Do not squeeze them, just place them in the water. Cover the water and let it sit throughout the whole night say for 8-12 hours at room temperature.

You may also add one tablespoon of pink Himalayan sea salt to mineralize your alkaline water. Yes! That’s it! Your DIY alkaline water is ready. Pour into your glass and enjoy it.

pH drops contain highly concentrated minerals and electrolytes. They are specifically formulated to turn drinking water into alkaline water by increasing its pH value.

You can purchase a small and handy bottle of pH drops from a health store or online. Do carefully read the instructions on the bottle to determine how many drops you should put into your water to turn it into DIY alkaline water.

As one single bottle of pH drops can be used to improve the pH value of many glasses of water, thus it is a more favorable choice compared to using baking soda or lemon to make alkaline water at home.

Using water ionizer is the most efficient and user-friendly way to make ionized water at home. The machine takes advantage of the electrolysis phenomenon to separate the water into alkalized and acidic water. Your alkaline water is then ready to drink.

Actually, buying a water ionizer is a cost-effective alternative if you are committed to drinking alkaline water in the long run. Once you have the water ionizer, all your water will be pH-optimized.

BENEFITS AND RISKS

There are few research studies carried out that suggest drinking alkaline water might be beneficial in some circumstances. A preliminary 6-month observational study was carried out to observe the changes of blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipids level after drinking alkaline ionized water throughout the study period.

The result showed that these levels among participants significantly decreased after the study. Hence, alkaline ionized water might somehow be useful for people with diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure.

Another study conducted in 2016 among 100 healthy adults found that there was a significant reduction in whole blood viscosity among participants after consuming high pH water when compared to regular water. Their blood flowed more efficiently which also increased oxygen flow in the body.

Other advocates of alkaline water also put forward that drinking alkaline water brings various benefits. Specifically, the water molecules in alkaline water are smaller and readily absorbed by our cells, as a result, helping our body re-hydrate quickly.

Besides, as alkaline water contains numerous minerals such as calcium, magnesium, it helps maintain and foster our healthy bones. Advocates also believe consuming alkaline water reduces inflammation, increases energy levels, strengthens immune system, facilitates weight loss, fights cancer, etc, however, these rationales lack proven scientific research.

In fact, many health professionals stand on the same ground saying that there is not enough research to support the health claims made by the supporters of alkaline water.

According to Mayo Clinic, they believe plain water is better for most of the people. Regarding alkaline water, they mentioned there is little credible evidence to support claims like alkaline water can help prevent diseases. Their research also suggests that drinking alkaline water is not likely to very significantly change our blood pH level, therefore, the benefit of alkaline water over the long term is unclear.

Although making alkaline water at home and drinking it is considered safe, there may also be possible side effects. Drinking excessive alkaline water may cause gastrointestinal issues and metabolic alkalosis, resulting in symptoms like vomiting, muscle twitching, tingling, hand tremors and so on. Apart from that, according to World Health Organization, excess level of alkalinity in the body may also cause skin and eyes irritation. You should always seek medical assistance immediately if you experience these symptoms.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

In sum, alkaline water does help neutralize the acid level in our body. It may also provide a wide array of benefits to a certain extent. Most importantly, yes, you can simply make your DIY alkaline water at home at a low cost.

Though alkaline water enthusiasts might prefer alkaline water, make sure not to over consume it. Always be aware of its potential risks and seek professional advice from your doctor before making any changes to your diet. If you have still have further doubts, we believe you should stick with drinking plain water, it is always our best companion!