Alkaline water?

245

Replies

  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    Tinabob777 wrote: »
    Also, I used to play Oregon Trail, and I'd always get the sad song and the warning when all there was to drink was alkaline water. My people would all be frowning around their wagon, and someone would always get cholera and die.
    OMG! Oregon Trail! YES!!!

    That is my scientific source for not drinking alkaline water.

    Now I wish I could find my old game.

    https://archive.org/details/softwarelibrary_msdos_games

    I love these forums!

    tumblr_nijryycRXx1qlgbzbo6_500.gif
  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    Holy s---. I can't believe this is a "thing" and that people actually would believe this bulls---. Oh wait... this is the internet... never mind...
  • TheAnayalator
    TheAnayalator Posts: 41 Member
    wellz6 wrote: »
    I'm a fan of structured water, but not alkaline water. Structured water is found in nature, alkaline water is not. Any time you stray away from what nature intended it can create problems. Drinking high ph water does not alkalize the body properly. Lemons are one of the most acidic foods on the planet but yet when it is digested it leaves alkaline ash which is healthy for the body.

    Here are 7 reasons not to drink alkaline water from a good website on the properties of water:

    1) Alkaline water may hinder digestion. The first and the most obvious red flag regarding the consumption of alkaline ionized water is its potential impact on digestion. Since the digestive process begins in the stomach—an extremely acidic environment—a person must ask the question: What is the impact of alkaline water on the digestive process? Fifty percent of people over the age of 60 are hypochlorhydric. This means that they can no longer produce enough stomach acid for optimal digestion. For these individuals, the consumption of alkaline water presents a problem. You might be surprised to discover how many people who drink alkaline ionized water end up with digestive trouble—and they have no idea it was caused by the water. Many of those who promote alkaline water are aware of this issue . . . that’s why they suggest NOT drinking it before meals.

    2) Alkaline water does not balance the body’s pH. One of the arguments used in favor of alkaline water, supposes that its consumption will alkalize the body and negate the buildup of acids caused by our modern diet and lifestyle. If consuming alkaline food and alkaline water negated an acidic cellular environment, then eating well-cooked meat (known to be alkaline) would overcome acidity. Eating cooked meat does the exact opposite. By the same token, eating a lemon would contribute to acidosis — but lemons are known to be one of the most alkalizing foods. Obviously, balancing acidity in the human body is not as cut and dried as some would like to think. The consumption of acids or bases (alkaline), does not necessarily balance cellular pH. And while drinking alkaline water sometimes increases urine pH, it is not an indicator that the body’s pH is in balance. When measuring the fluids of the body, (particularly saliva and urine) several factors should be interpreted together to get an accurate picture. Equally important measurements of these fluids are: resistivity/conductivity, specific gravity, and rH2. One measurement without the others can be misleading. Measuring the pH of urine (a reflection of what the body is letting go of) is an oversimplification. Increased urine pH could also mean that the body is having to get rid of excessive alkaline minerals that are not in a form the body can utilize. When it comes right down to it, the body prefers to receive minerals in an organic form (in food). In this way, alkalizing minerals are linked with organic acids. This is the reason lemons contribute to alkalinity– they contain an abundance of alkalizing minerals yet they are balanced with organic acids so that the body can recognize and utilize them. All raw plant foods are acidic (with the exception of a few herbs). They are made of organic acids combined with organically-complexed minerals. This is the reason raw food tends to balance the body’s pH in a way that alkaline water cannot.

    3) Ionization damages water’s life force. Another reason NOT to drink alkaline ionized water has to do with the molecular structure of water. Nature creates liquid crystalline (structured) water using movement and weak electromagnetic fields. Those who sell ionizers believe that the strong electric current used during ionization produces the same kind of water. It does not. Although electric currents cause water molecules to become more organized, strong electric currents (like those used during ionization) have a damaging effect on the electromagnetic field around water molecules. Ionized water is not coherent and it is not capable of maintaining long-range molecular organization. The water loses its structure when it is removed from the electric field. Water that has been treated in this manner is aggressive. It is no longer capable of carrying the finely-tuned signals and other vibratory information that water is intended to carry within the human body.

    4) Alkaline ionized water contains minerals in an inorganic form that contribute to arterial plaque and joint disorders. During ionization, water molecules are split (ionized). Positively-charged water ions (H+) are attracted to negatively-charged mineral ions (phosphate, chloride, sulfide, iodide, etc.) to form a variety of acidic compounds in the acidic stream of water. Negatively-charged water ions (OH-) are attracted to positively-charged mineral ions (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium) to form numerous alkaline compounds in the alkaline stream of water. The most common alkaline mineral compounds that form in alkaline ionized water are calcium hydroxide (lime), sodium hydroxide (lye), potassium hydroxide (caustic potash), and magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia). And because of the strong electric forces used during ionization, these compounds are not easily broken down. The alkaline minerals are not available for use in the body. If a person’s kidneys are functioning well, these inorganic mineral compounds will be excreted in urine. If not, they may end up as arterial plaque or as mineral deposits in joints and other tissues.

    5) Alkaline water is imbalanced. Water ionizers separate water into two streams. The alkaline stream is consumed by those who drink ionized water. The chemistry of life is dependent on the balance between acids and bases. One without the other, for an extended period of time, is an invitation for trouble.

    6) Alkaline ionized water may cause cell death and fibrosis of the heart. While alkaline ionized water has been in use in Japan for over 50 years, its use (until recently) has been restricted to clinical settings where the water was used in controlled amounts for short periods of time. There are no long-term studies to identify potential problems with either the extended or the exclusive use of this type of water. In the absence of controlled human studies, rats (with a shorter life span) have been the subjects of investigation. Three separate studies have shown that long-term consumption of alkaline ionized water produces cell death (necrosis), fibrosis, and other complications in the heart muscle in rats. Read abstract #1 Read abstract #2 Read abstract#3 Dr. Hidemitsu Hayashi, a cardiac surgeon and Director of the Water Institute in Japan, was one of the scientists who conducted early research on alkaline ionized water. His work determined that the benefits of alkaline ionized water were due to hydrogen in the water. Ultimately, he renounced the use of ionized water in favor of other methods to produce hydrogen-rich water.

    7)Alkaline ionized water is aggressive and unnatural. One of the biggest arguments in favor of alkaline ionized water is that its strong electron potential neutralizes free radicals. While it is true that alkaline ionized water has a strong electrical potential (evidenced by negative ORP values), the rH2 value (hydrogen potential) is a more accurate representation of electron potential than ORP alone. It measures the reducing power of a substance without the skewing effects of pH. Understanding rH2 measurements and Biological Terrain Analysis helps in the realization that water with a strongly negative ORP value is out of balance for the human body. It may initially contribute to a reduction of the free radical load however, continued consumption and the aggressive neutralization of oxygen radicals upsets cellular redox balance which plays a pivotal role in immune function and metabolic homeostasis. Oxygen radicals serve as signaling molecules. Medical research verifies that their absence is equally as harmful as their overabundance. The ongoing consumption of alkaline ionized water tips the balance and it opens the way for other metabolic consequences.

    Sorry im new to this app and im just now seeing all of these replies lol. Thank you for your detailed reply. I was wondering if the alkaline from my water would be messing with my stomach acid. Where do you get your structured water from?


    Also to all the people saying alkaline water is more expensive its really not. I get my alkaline water for 1.19 a liter at whole foods which is a lot cheaper than dasani or any of those other brands.
  • _John_
    _John_ Posts: 8,646 Member
    I get my alkaline water from my well...for the cost of the electricity to run the submersible pump and the control valves on my iron filter and water softener.

    We have a low TDS in our water too. It's beyond fantastic.
  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    anayapaya wrote: »
    wellz6 wrote: »
    I'm a fan of structured water, but not alkaline water. Structured water is found in nature, alkaline water is not. Any time you stray away from what nature intended it can create problems. Drinking high ph water does not alkalize the body properly. Lemons are one of the most acidic foods on the planet but yet when it is digested it leaves alkaline ash which is healthy for the body.

    Here are 7 reasons not to drink alkaline water from a good website on the properties of water:

    1) Alkaline water may hinder digestion. The first and the most obvious red flag regarding the consumption of alkaline ionized water is its potential impact on digestion. Since the digestive process begins in the stomach—an extremely acidic environment—a person must ask the question: What is the impact of alkaline water on the digestive process? Fifty percent of people over the age of 60 are hypochlorhydric. This means that they can no longer produce enough stomach acid for optimal digestion. For these individuals, the consumption of alkaline water presents a problem. You might be surprised to discover how many people who drink alkaline ionized water end up with digestive trouble—and they have no idea it was caused by the water. Many of those who promote alkaline water are aware of this issue . . . that’s why they suggest NOT drinking it before meals.

    2) Alkaline water does not balance the body’s pH. One of the arguments used in favor of alkaline water, supposes that its consumption will alkalize the body and negate the buildup of acids caused by our modern diet and lifestyle. If consuming alkaline food and alkaline water negated an acidic cellular environment, then eating well-cooked meat (known to be alkaline) would overcome acidity. Eating cooked meat does the exact opposite. By the same token, eating a lemon would contribute to acidosis — but lemons are known to be one of the most alkalizing foods. Obviously, balancing acidity in the human body is not as cut and dried as some would like to think. The consumption of acids or bases (alkaline), does not necessarily balance cellular pH. And while drinking alkaline water sometimes increases urine pH, it is not an indicator that the body’s pH is in balance. When measuring the fluids of the body, (particularly saliva and urine) several factors should be interpreted together to get an accurate picture. Equally important measurements of these fluids are: resistivity/conductivity, specific gravity, and rH2. One measurement without the others can be misleading. Measuring the pH of urine (a reflection of what the body is letting go of) is an oversimplification. Increased urine pH could also mean that the body is having to get rid of excessive alkaline minerals that are not in a form the body can utilize. When it comes right down to it, the body prefers to receive minerals in an organic form (in food). In this way, alkalizing minerals are linked with organic acids. This is the reason lemons contribute to alkalinity– they contain an abundance of alkalizing minerals yet they are balanced with organic acids so that the body can recognize and utilize them. All raw plant foods are acidic (with the exception of a few herbs). They are made of organic acids combined with organically-complexed minerals. This is the reason raw food tends to balance the body’s pH in a way that alkaline water cannot.

    3) Ionization damages water’s life force. Another reason NOT to drink alkaline ionized water has to do with the molecular structure of water. Nature creates liquid crystalline (structured) water using movement and weak electromagnetic fields. Those who sell ionizers believe that the strong electric current used during ionization produces the same kind of water. It does not. Although electric currents cause water molecules to become more organized, strong electric currents (like those used during ionization) have a damaging effect on the electromagnetic field around water molecules. Ionized water is not coherent and it is not capable of maintaining long-range molecular organization. The water loses its structure when it is removed from the electric field. Water that has been treated in this manner is aggressive. It is no longer capable of carrying the finely-tuned signals and other vibratory information that water is intended to carry within the human body.

    4) Alkaline ionized water contains minerals in an inorganic form that contribute to arterial plaque and joint disorders. During ionization, water molecules are split (ionized). Positively-charged water ions (H+) are attracted to negatively-charged mineral ions (phosphate, chloride, sulfide, iodide, etc.) to form a variety of acidic compounds in the acidic stream of water. Negatively-charged water ions (OH-) are attracted to positively-charged mineral ions (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium) to form numerous alkaline compounds in the alkaline stream of water. The most common alkaline mineral compounds that form in alkaline ionized water are calcium hydroxide (lime), sodium hydroxide (lye), potassium hydroxide (caustic potash), and magnesium hydroxide (milk of magnesia). And because of the strong electric forces used during ionization, these compounds are not easily broken down. The alkaline minerals are not available for use in the body. If a person’s kidneys are functioning well, these inorganic mineral compounds will be excreted in urine. If not, they may end up as arterial plaque or as mineral deposits in joints and other tissues.

    5) Alkaline water is imbalanced. Water ionizers separate water into two streams. The alkaline stream is consumed by those who drink ionized water. The chemistry of life is dependent on the balance between acids and bases. One without the other, for an extended period of time, is an invitation for trouble.

    6) Alkaline ionized water may cause cell death and fibrosis of the heart. While alkaline ionized water has been in use in Japan for over 50 years, its use (until recently) has been restricted to clinical settings where the water was used in controlled amounts for short periods of time. There are no long-term studies to identify potential problems with either the extended or the exclusive use of this type of water. In the absence of controlled human studies, rats (with a shorter life span) have been the subjects of investigation. Three separate studies have shown that long-term consumption of alkaline ionized water produces cell death (necrosis), fibrosis, and other complications in the heart muscle in rats. Read abstract #1 Read abstract #2 Read abstract#3 Dr. Hidemitsu Hayashi, a cardiac surgeon and Director of the Water Institute in Japan, was one of the scientists who conducted early research on alkaline ionized water. His work determined that the benefits of alkaline ionized water were due to hydrogen in the water. Ultimately, he renounced the use of ionized water in favor of other methods to produce hydrogen-rich water.

    7)Alkaline ionized water is aggressive and unnatural. One of the biggest arguments in favor of alkaline ionized water is that its strong electron potential neutralizes free radicals. While it is true that alkaline ionized water has a strong electrical potential (evidenced by negative ORP values), the rH2 value (hydrogen potential) is a more accurate representation of electron potential than ORP alone. It measures the reducing power of a substance without the skewing effects of pH. Understanding rH2 measurements and Biological Terrain Analysis helps in the realization that water with a strongly negative ORP value is out of balance for the human body. It may initially contribute to a reduction of the free radical load however, continued consumption and the aggressive neutralization of oxygen radicals upsets cellular redox balance which plays a pivotal role in immune function and metabolic homeostasis. Oxygen radicals serve as signaling molecules. Medical research verifies that their absence is equally as harmful as their overabundance. The ongoing consumption of alkaline ionized water tips the balance and it opens the way for other metabolic consequences.

    Sorry im new to this app and im just now seeing all of these replies lol. Thank you for your detailed reply. I was wondering if the alkaline from my water would be messing with my stomach acid. Where do you get your structured water from?


    Also to all the people saying alkaline water is more expensive its really not. I get my alkaline water for 1.19 a liter at whole foods which is a lot cheaper than dasani or any of those other brands.

    When they say it's more expensive, they mean it's more expensive than water from, say, your tap. Which is perfectly healthy to drink and is usually regulated more heavily than bottled water anyway. If you're worried about drinking it straight, get a filter for your tap, drink filtered water from your fridge, or use a Brita pitcher. No reason to buy bottled water, alkaline or otherwise.

    Plus it's better for the environment.
  • TheAnayalator
    TheAnayalator Posts: 41 Member
    glevinso wrote: »
    Holy s---. I can't believe this is a "thing" and that people actually would believe this bulls---. Oh wait... this is the internet... never mind...

    Well can you explain why its bull? I was only asking a question.
  • cityruss
    cityruss Posts: 2,493 Member
    anayapaya wrote: »
    glevinso wrote: »
    Holy s---. I can't believe this is a "thing" and that people actually would believe this bulls---. Oh wait... this is the internet... never mind...

    Well can you explain why its bull? I was only asking a question.

    Have you not read the replies in this thread. They clearly show why it's bull.
  • Unknown
    edited March 2015
    This content has been removed.
  • kjm3579
    kjm3579 Posts: 3,974 Member
    Worry about if your water is clean or not, not if it's alkaline or not. You will die very quickly from drinking dirty/contaminated water.
  • tibby531
    tibby531 Posts: 717 Member
    I'm glad I found this post. I had been getting the alkaline water from TJs, too. I was having leg cramps every night and was trying to get more magnesium in my system. I also got new workout shoes at the same time, and now I'm wondering if the cramps went away because of the shoes. guess I'll try going without the water and seeing what happens. fingers crossed that I'll be able to save $5/week! thanks, again, y'all! :)
  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    glevinso wrote: »
    Holy s---. I can't believe this is a "thing" and that people actually would believe this bulls---. Oh wait... this is the internet... never mind...

    I can't believe you haven't seen the alkaline water marketing plastered all over the 'healthier' grocery stores. It's even supplanted the ads for coconut water. It's like the manufacturer realizes that it's a ready-made market for woo. Oh, wait ...
  • TheAnayalator
    TheAnayalator Posts: 41 Member
    cityruss wrote: »
    anayapaya wrote: »
    glevinso wrote: »
    Holy s---. I can't believe this is a "thing" and that people actually would believe this bulls---. Oh wait... this is the internet... never mind...

    Well can you explain why its bull? I was only asking a question.

    Have you not read the replies in this thread. They clearly show why it's bull.

    I read the replies. I was just asking that person specifically because they wanted to be rude and not give any reason why.
  • TheAnayalator
    TheAnayalator Posts: 41 Member
    tibby531 wrote: »
    I'm glad I found this post. I had been getting the alkaline water from TJs, too. I was having leg cramps every night and was trying to get more magnesium in my system. I also got new workout shoes at the same time, and now I'm wondering if the cramps went away because of the shoes. guess I'll try going without the water and seeing what happens. fingers crossed that I'll be able to save $5/week! thanks, again, y'all! :)

    Well i had noticed that since i had been drinking it i have been getting a much better sleep where as normally, i cant sleep straight without waking up for more than 1 hour. Hope your cramps go away.
  • zombiegirlfriend
    zombiegirlfriend Posts: 24 Member
    It's amazing to me how things are sold to us as "healthy" - and if you do even the slightest bit of research, it's terrifying.
  • TheAnayalator
    TheAnayalator Posts: 41 Member
    It's amazing to me how things are sold to us as "healthy" - and if you do even the slightest bit of research, it's terrifying.

    So true!
  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    stealthq wrote: »
    glevinso wrote: »
    Holy s---. I can't believe this is a "thing" and that people actually would believe this bulls---. Oh wait... this is the internet... never mind...

    I can't believe you haven't seen the alkaline water marketing plastered all over the 'healthier' grocery stores. It's even supplanted the ads for coconut water. It's like the manufacturer realizes that it's a ready-made market for woo. Oh, wait ...

    How is this post abusive?
  • jennifershoo
    jennifershoo Posts: 3,198 Member
    If you want magnesium in water, just buy Natural Calm (it's a powder) and use a teaspoon in your glass of water. You'll save money.
  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    stealthq wrote: »
    glevinso wrote: »
    Holy s---. I can't believe this is a "thing" and that people actually would believe this bulls---. Oh wait... this is the internet... never mind...

    I can't believe you haven't seen the alkaline water marketing plastered all over the 'healthier' grocery stores. It's even supplanted the ads for coconut water. It's like the manufacturer realizes that it's a ready-made market for woo. Oh, wait ...

    How is this post abusive?

    I guess somebody's sensitive that they shop at Whole Foods or some such?
  • _John_
    _John_ Posts: 8,646 Member
    If you want magnesium in water, just buy Natural Calm (it's a powder) and use a teaspoon in your glass of water. You'll save money.

    just drink hard water...
  • zombiegirlfriend
    zombiegirlfriend Posts: 24 Member
    _John_ wrote: »
    just drink hard water...

    Welcome to Arizona LOL

    I drink water... HARD.

    I am hilarious... I'll be here all night. :wink: :wink: :wink:
  • _John_
    _John_ Posts: 8,646 Member
    _John_ wrote: »
    just drink hard water...

    Welcome to Arizona LOL

    I drink water... HARD.

    I am hilarious... I'll be here all night. :wink: :wink: :wink:

    yeah, I complain about our hard water at 18 grains per gallon...but I'd HATE much harder water.

    Heck, even after you soften it, the TDS would still leave deposits everywhere when your water dried (and we have a slate tile shower with a glass door; HELL naw on poor water quality in this house)
  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    stealthq wrote: »
    glevinso wrote: »
    Holy s---. I can't believe this is a "thing" and that people actually would believe this bulls---. Oh wait... this is the internet... never mind...

    I can't believe you haven't seen the alkaline water marketing plastered all over the 'healthier' grocery stores. It's even supplanted the ads for coconut water. It's like the manufacturer realizes that it's a ready-made market for woo. Oh, wait ...

    I try to avoid those kinds of stores. I also don't go near the bottled water section of my usual store. I tend to be one of those "perimeter shoppers" and rarely venture into the middle except to get some cereal, rice, bread and a few things like that.
  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    anayapaya wrote: »
    glevinso wrote: »
    Holy s---. I can't believe this is a "thing" and that people actually would believe this bulls---. Oh wait... this is the internet... never mind...

    Well can you explain why its bull? I was only asking a question.

    Read the replies. That is all you need. You cannot effect the "pH of your body" by drinking basic water any more than you can alter it by drinking something acidic. As was stated earlier if you could you would die pretty quickly. The body operates on a very narrow range of pH and any deviation from that would result in pretty serious illness quickly. This "alkaline water" thing is nothing more than a ploy to empty your wallet and make you think you are dependent on some product that nobody needs.

  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    I know many fitness models and competitors are now on the alkaline band wagon. They get so excited when they test their urine and it comes back "favorable" after they started drinking alkaline water. Unfortunately I don't think they realize that your urine only indicates how basic or acidic your diet is, not what the pH of your blood is. The body only allows a very tiny fluctuation of our blood's pH and they'd have to take in much more alkaline water to do that.

    If you absolutely must try alkaline water just add baking soda to your water. It may help reduce heartburn, but it won't do much else.
  • wellz6
    wellz6 Posts: 81
    When they say it's more expensive, they mean it's more expensive than water from, say, your tap. Which is perfectly healthy to drink and is usually regulated more heavily than bottled water anyway. If you're worried about drinking it straight, get a filter for your tap, drink filtered water from your fridge, or use a Brita pitcher. No reason to buy bottled water, alkaline or otherwise.

    Plus it's better for the environment.

    I have a distiller that I use at home to purify my tap water. Even after distilling one gallon there is some white residue left over at the bottom of the distiller. I distill 1-2 gallons a day and after a week there is a hard layer of white crust stuck to the bottom of the distiller that can only be removed by a chemical residue cleaner. This is the stuff that is in tap water (dissolved solids) and that your body has to filter out when drinking tap water daily. How is that perfectly healthy to drink?
  • wellz6
    wellz6 Posts: 81
    anayapaya wrote: »

    Sorry im new to this app and im just now seeing all of these replies lol. Thank you for your detailed reply. I was wondering if the alkaline from my water would be messing with my stomach acid. Where do you get your structured water from?

    Also to all the people saying alkaline water is more expensive its really not. I get my alkaline water for 1.19 a liter at whole foods which is a lot cheaper than dasani or any of those other brands.

    You can purchase items to structure your own water (preferably after it's been purified first). Clayton Nolte makes some good ones and there is also the Vitalizer Plus that works well. Both are expensive up front but Clayton's are a one time purchase that requires no ongoing maintenance costs and will last for years.
  • jhall260
    jhall260 Posts: 111 Member
    wellz6 wrote: »
    When they say it's more expensive, they mean it's more expensive than water from, say, your tap. Which is perfectly healthy to drink and is usually regulated more heavily than bottled water anyway. If you're worried about drinking it straight, get a filter for your tap, drink filtered water from your fridge, or use a Brita pitcher. No reason to buy bottled water, alkaline or otherwise.

    Plus it's better for the environment.

    I have a distiller that I use at home to purify my tap water. Even after distilling one gallon there is some white residue left over at the bottom of the distiller. I distill 1-2 gallons a day and after a week there is a hard layer of white crust stuck to the bottom of the distiller that can only be removed by a chemical residue cleaner. This is the stuff that is in tap water (dissolved solids) and that your body has to filter out when drinking tap water daily. How is that perfectly healthy to drink?

    Because what you are seeing is mostly calcium and magnesium deposits. Other trace minerals too. Once they precipitate out they are hard to remove. In solution they will pass right through you.

  • _John_
    _John_ Posts: 8,646 Member
    This is the stuff that is in tap water (dissolved solids) and that your body has to filter out when drinking tap water daily. How is that perfectly healthy to drink?

    MOST of any waters dissolved solids are minerals that are essential to cellular function. Cations like calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and anions like carbonate, chloride, sulfate, nitrate...
  • mumblemagic
    mumblemagic Posts: 1,090 Member
    The main problem with the concept is that it is impossible to alter the pH of a patient's blood without causing severe health concerns. Mammalian blood contains a vast number of different pH buffers which evolved to automatically raise or lower the blood pH if a deviation occurs.[4] These buffers heep the pH of human blood between 7.35 and 7.45. If the buffers become saturated and the pH of the blood is altered more than +/-0.4 pH, death will result.[5] It is commonly claimed by alkaline diet proponents that cancer cells are killed in an alkaline environment, which is true, but so are almost all other cells in the human body.

    Proponents will attempt to disregard the above by reminding us that it is possible to alter the pH of urine by eating or drinking particular foods, which is also true, but is completely independent of the blood pH. This is based on the metabolites of certain food chemicals (referred to as "Ash") becoming concentrated in the urine.[6] As a (healthy) bladder is an independent receptacle in the body, the pH of the fluid contained therein also has no effect on the blood pH. A different attempt at disregarding this is the claim that blood pH is balanced not by buffers but by excess acid being dumped from the blood into the cytoplasm of cells, meaning that blood pH won't reveal that your cells are dangerously acidic; needless to say, this is false.

    Another clue of the ineffectiveness of an alkaline diet is that whatever food you eat will (obviously) pass through your stomach. The acidity of the stomach is affected by things such as stress, amount of food eaten, or infections. Eating acidic or alkaline foods has no effect on stomach pH, in much the same way as it has no effect on the pH of blood.[7]
    More recently, proponents claim that the benefits arise from reducing acid load in the body. It is claimed that when acid load is too high, "alkaline minerals" such as calcium are reclaimed by the body from bones leading to conditions such as osteoporosis. Meta-analysis studies have shown this is not the case.[8]

    Far from being healthy, alkaline diets could actually be harmful, as they recommend removing certain food groups altogether rather than reducing certain types within the groups. Examples would be removing all fats and oils from the diet which provide Essential Fatty Acids, and dairy products, which are excellent sources of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin D which is difficult to find in foods outside of dairy products.[9]
    A further theoretical problem comes from the definition of "acid/alkaline food" used by many proponents of the diet, which is based on burning the food in air and testing the pH of the resulting ashes and remains. The results of this uncontrolled oxidation have only the vaguest resemblance to the by-products created by the actual process of human digestion and respiration, which involves breaking down the food into its consistuent molecules and metabolising them separately.

    [citation: http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Alkaline_diet ]

    /thread

    Nice. I love a bit of nerdery in the evenings :-)
  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    edited March 2015
    wellz6 wrote: »
    When they say it's more expensive, they mean it's more expensive than water from, say, your tap. Which is perfectly healthy to drink and is usually regulated more heavily than bottled water anyway. If you're worried about drinking it straight, get a filter for your tap, drink filtered water from your fridge, or use a Brita pitcher. No reason to buy bottled water, alkaline or otherwise.

    Plus it's better for the environment.

    I have a distiller that I use at home to purify my tap water. Even after distilling one gallon there is some white residue left over at the bottom of the distiller. I distill 1-2 gallons a day and after a week there is a hard layer of white crust stuck to the bottom of the distiller that can only be removed by a chemical residue cleaner. This is the stuff that is in tap water (dissolved solids) and that your body has to filter out when drinking tap water daily. How is that perfectly healthy to drink?

    Water quality will vary from region to region, but most places are fine to drink. Drinking distilled water is personal preference (I personally don't like the taste of distilled) but most municipal water is safe to drink unless you are publicly warned to avoid drinking the water due to contamination.

    There is nothing inherently wrong with tap water...
This discussion has been closed.