WARNING

If you've read anything about alkaline water that didn't differentiate between naturally alkaline water and artificially alkaline water, the author isn't knowledgeable enough to write on the topic. Each type has a different chemical composition and a different effect in the body. One improves health and the other has side effects. Which type of alkaline water are you drinking?

What you will learn in this article...

• What is the difference between naturally and artificially alkaline water?

• Bottled alkaline water can be naturally alkaline or artificially alkaline.

• What are the side effects of drinking artificially alkaline water or ionized water?

• Why do people see benefits in the first 30 days of drinking ionized water?

• Why does continued consumption result in side effects?

 

Did you know that water can be either naturally alkaline or artificially alkaline?

It's true. Naturally alkaline water has a chemical makeup that differs significantly from artificially alkaline water. More important, however, is the fact that artificially alkaline water causes side effects and should generally be avoided as a daily drinking water.  

What is the difference between naturally and artificially alkaline water?

When measured in drinking water, an alkaline pH can be a result of either natural or unnatural conditions in the water. Thus when comparing two waters, each with a pH of 9.5, one can be healthful while the other causes side effects.

 

A machine known as a water ionizer splits apart water molecules with electricity to artificially create alkaline water. Why is this artificial? All water found in nature has a pH that perfectly corresponds to the minerals in the water. When you drink alkaline water, the body assumes it is receiving alkaline minerals, like calcium and magnesium. The problem with artificially alkaline water aka ionized water is that the body's mechanism for pH adjustment, mineral transport, is compromised and side effects result.

Bottled alkaline water available at most stores today is artificially alkaline water. However, rarely is the process used to create the alkalinity disclosed on the label.

If our goal is to be healthy, why would we drink or eat anything artificial? For the company’s manufacturing ionizer machines or bottling alkaline water, creating naturally alkaline water simply costs too much. Don’t expect the manufactures to start discussing the issue anytime soon. Most people never question whether their water is naturally or artificially alkaline and these companies prefer it that way.

 

What side effects result from drinking artificially alkaline water?

Artificially alkaline water only neutralizes acidity where it has direct contact, like the stomach and small intestine. When consumed daily, the small intestine in particular becomes overly alkaline and side effects begin to appear. Most common are erratic heart behavior, hypertension, nervousness/anxiety, urinary tract and bladder infections, and stabbing side pains.

We have spoken to numerous individuals who were hospitalized for heart conditions that miraculously disappeared when they stopped drinking artificially alkaline or ionized water. Why would anyone ingest anything unnatural when natural alternatives are available at a comparable cost?

More severe side effects were observed in a clinical study involving rats. The study revealed injury to cardiac tissue (heart muscle) as a result of drinking ERW (Electrolyzed Reduced Water), or water created by ionizer machines (artificially alkaline water). In an age when heart disease is a leading killer, ionized water is simply not a smart choice.

 

Why do some people see benefits when drinking artificially alkaline water for the first 30 days?

Before the body is stressed by the artificial alkalinity, it enjoys two wonderful benefits from drinking ionized water- increased hydration and more antioxidants. In fact, if these machines could do what they do WITHOUT altering the pH, they would not be nearly as harmful. The low ORP (one measure of antioxidant effects) and micro clustering are responsible for 99% of all benefits observed from drinking ionized water.  

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Is it OK to drink alkaline water daily? Can one become too alkaline?

For excellent health, it is important to drink naturally alkaline water daily. Doing so supplies the body with the alkaline minerals it needs to buffer acid. While all of these minerals are not nutritionally available, they do buffer acid. To learn more about the benefits of alkaline water, please visit our benefits page.

 

In the case of naturally alkaline water, it is recommended to drink at least two liters per day. Since the alkalinity is a result of naturally alkaline minerals like calcium and magnesium, the body is capable of using the minerals it needs and storing or discarding any excess. You cannot become overly alkaline drinking naturally alkaline water.

 

If you are drinking ionized water or artificially alkaline water, it is always advised to measure your body's pH daily and regulate your consumption accordingly. Ionized water should not be used as a daily drinking water as you can easily develop side effects.