Rain & Health: The benefits of alkaline water you need to know
Nov 15, 2016; 8:25 AM ET Some U.S. states have laws restricting collection of rainwater, making it difficult for the average homeowner to set up a rainwater harvesting system. Strict regulations and restrictions have been put in place over the last century. Currently, nine states have laws restricting the collection of rainwater, but the severity of those laws differ.
The average human adult body is around 60% water. Given that, it’s not surprising to know that we have to consume a certain amount of water each day. As a general rule, you want to aim for eight 8-ounce glasses. However, it depends on your activity level. For example, you’ll want to drink more if you’ve been working out so you can replenish the water you’re sweating out. Just make sure that you're not drinking too much—that can do more harm than good.
Did you know, though, that there’s more than one type of water? Take alkaline water, for example, it’s said to be better for your health. What is it? How does it benefit the body? That’s what we’ll be discussing in this post—so make sure to keep reading!
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What is alkaline water?
Alkaline water has a higher pH than regular water. More specifically, it has a pH of around 8-9. In contrast, regular water is neutral with a pH of 7. What gives it a higher pH? Minerals—that is, alkaline water is rich in calcium, magnesium potassium, and other trace elements.
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Is rainwater alkaline?
Believe it or not but you can get your own alkaline water by harvesting rainwater. As opposed to those that you can buy in stores, the alkaline components will be naturally added instead of being added in a laboratory. Take sodium hydroxide or calcium oxide, for example—they're commonly incorporated in precipitation. Is it safe to drink? Yes. Ideally, however, you want to filter the water first. After all, you never know what it might have come into contact with! Aside from the rain, certain lakes may also contain alkaline water. It can also be found in springs or wells.
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Health benefits of drinking alkaline water
Alkaline water is speculated to have various health benefits—that is, it can have positive effects on the body. Here are some of the things that it can do.
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1- Alkaline water can increase bone strength
Studies have shown that alkaline water can decrease bone resorption. Put simply, your bones will be denser and stronger. Coupling alkaline water with a calcium-rich diet, can lower your risk of certain conditions such as osteoporosis. However, more research is necessary to determine its exact effect.
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2- Alkaline water can help with acid reflux
Acid reflux is a common condition in which the contents of your stomach flows back up the esophagus. As a result, you might experience a burning sensation. While alkaline water is not a cure by any means, it can be used to relieve symptoms as a supplement to other treatments. For one thing, it can help reduce the acidity of the stomach contents.
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3- Alkaline water can lower blood pressure
Drinking alkaline ionized water may help lower blood pressure. Not only that, but it can have an effect on blood viscosity as well. In one study, those who consumed alkaline water reduced their blood viscosity by 6.3%. In contrast, those who drank regular drinking water had a reduction of 3.3%.
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Drinking alkaline water
Now you know all about alkaline water! As you can see, it does have a few potential advantages over regular water. Want to learn more? Then be sure to check out some of our other articles!
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