If you’ve been around the wellness world in the past few years, you’ve likely heard some buzz about alkaline water. This hydration trend was already dominant in the late 2010s but saw a drastic increase after the COVID-19 pandemic when consumers became more focused on health, wellness, and immune-boosting products. Alkaline water has developed a strong fanbase due to its distinctive fresh taste and supposed health benefits, but it can be challenging to weed through marketing claims. Bottom line, is alkaline water really better than regular tap water?
What is Alkaline Water?
Alkaline water is slightly less acidic (has a higher pH) than normal tap water and contains some added minerals, such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and bicarbonate. While most water is around a 7 on the pH scale, alkaline water typically ranges between 8 and 9. Some alkaline water is naturally occurring, and found in mineral-rich springs. But most bottled and in-home treated alkaline water is created using an ionizer, a tool that uses electricity to separate molecules in the water that are more acidic or alkaline. After the ionization process, the remaining acidic water is funneled out.
Is Alkaline Water a Healthier Choice Than Regular Water?
Alkaline-water enthusiasts tout a number of health benefits from drinking alkaline water, including enhanced hydration, boosted metabolism, and better nutrient absorption. Some share that alkaline water can help neutralize excess acidity in the body, which is thought to contribute to various health issues. By balancing the body’s pH levels, it’s believed that alkaline water can reduce the risk of conditions like acid reflux and osteoporosis. (It’s important to know that the body has existing mechanisms for maintaining pH balance, and the impact of alkaline water on systemic pH levels remains a topic of debate among experts.)
While some research supports these claims, it isn’t exhaustive. Many health professionals share that not enough research has been completed yet to support these health claims.
However, many alkaline water drinkers choose the drink because of its improved taste. Alkaline water is known to have a “cleaner” and “smoother” taste than traditional tap water. If enjoying the taste of your water helps you to drink more of it, you’re likely to see health improvements connected to increased hydration, which is a win-win for your overall health.
Is Alkaline Water Worth the Money?
Bottled alkaline water can cost nearly twice as much as regular bottled water. So if you’re looking for the extra health boost and improved taste that comes with alkaline water, you may notice a spike in your monthly budget. While there are some recipes online for DIY alkaline water, the easiest and most cost-efficient approach to getting pure, fresh alkaline water is a reverse osmosis system with an alkalizer.
Our Wolverine Water Pure Last Reverse Osmosis System with Alkaline Filtration is installed right under your kitchen sink. First, your regular tap water is purified through reverse osmosis to remove any impurities. Then, it travels through an ionizer to change the pH of the water, remineralize the purified water, and give it that distinctive alkaline taste. Rather than relying on expensive plastic bottles of alkaline water, you can enjoy fresh, clean, alkaline water right from your kitchen faucet.
Installing an under-sink unit or a whole home water purification system is a great investment in the health of your home and your family. Contact us today, and our friendly staff will help you determine the unit that will work best for you and your family.
