The big new health-fix hype these days is alkaline water. But what does that mean? What is alkaline water, and what does it do? And where do you find it? Every organic material on earth has a pH level and is considered acidic or alkaline. You probably remember the blue and red litmus strips from high school chemistry that you would dip into a substance to determine whether a liquid was an acid or a base. Acids have a pH level of 0-7, and bases have a pH level of 8-14. ALKALINE WATER: Why You Should Consider Alkaline Water Most of the water we drink is acidic, as is much of our food and our environment as well. Human beings are 2/3 water and our blood is 94% water; most of us are chronically dehydrated. The foods we eat create acid wastes in our bodies, as does stress and environmental pollutants. These acid wastes enter into your bloodstream and are then carried through your lymph nodes into your liver and finally out through your kidneys. A chronically acidic pH level in your body creates a very negative environment, affecting your cells to your heartbeat to your neural firings. Ideally, you want to counteract this acidic environment by drinking three to four liters of alkaline water, around pH 9 or 10, every day. ALKALINE WATER: The Benefits of Alkaline Water Alkalizing water filters out toxins and impurities; most health professionals say that alkalized water is the only type you should be drinking. Drink alkalized water often, as dehydration causes fatigue, headaches, dry mouth, muscle weakness, dizziness, and can cause you to feel hungry even when you are not. Drinking the right amount of alkaline water is one of the best actions you can take for your overall health. Alkalized water helps reverse aging, detoxifies, and boosts your immune system to fight against free radicals and cell damage. Alkalized water is alive, just like you. ALKALINE WATER: Water Ionizer Where do you find alkaline water? There is really only one good option for creating it, and that is with a water ionizer. Water ionizers electrically enhance water by running it over positive and negative electrodes, separating water into acidic and alkaline. This separation is useful because you can drink the alkaline water and then use the acidic water on the outside of your body to kill bacteria. Water ionizers are by far the best way to alkalize your water. Once your water is alkalized, you can further increase its pH level by adding a squeeze of lemon or lime juice or by adding an alkaline pH booster (available at health food stores). Ionizers can be a bit pricy, but considering the health benefits they are worth every penny. If you are already drinking bottled or filtered water, then the water ionizer will end up saving you money in the long run. Water ionizers can be found at health food stores; until you purchase one, drink Fiji brand bottled water. Though nowhere near as good as ionized water, this spring water is naturally alkaline, and you can dream of tropical sunsets as you hydrate.
Shilo Urban is a freelance writer who has just relocated to Los Angeles after her previous homes of Seattle, New Zealand, Paris, Maine, and Austin. She is an active member of the West Coast electronic music community and lives to promote the art that she loves and the people who create it. |
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