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Learn about the benefits of drinking alkaline water
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Alkaline water, or water with a pH higher than 7, is believed to increase your resistance to diseases, reduce aging, and increase your energy levels. While there’s little evidence backing up the benefits of alkaline water, you might prefer its taste and end up drinking more water, which is never a bad thing. [1] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source In this article, we’ll show you several simple ways to alkalize your water and go over the potential benefits and risks of drinking it.
Things You Should Know
- Stir ½-1 tsp (3-6 g) of baking soda into 8 oz (237 mL) of water to raise its pH. Or, infuse your water with slices of cucumber.
- Use an alkaline water filter pitcher to raise your water’s pH and remove impurities. Or, install a water ionizer machine on your kitchen faucet.
- There is little scientific evidence supporting the benefits of alkaline water. While alkaline water is safe to drink, it can sometimes cause an upset stomach.
Steps
Section 1 of 4:
Easy Ways to Make Alkaline Water at Home
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Add ½ to 1 tsp (3-6 g) of baking soda into 8 oz (237 mL) of water. Baking soda is a natural cooking ingredient that’s also highly alkaline. With its pH of 9, it easily raises your water’s pH. Simply pour ½ to 1 tsp (3-6 g) of baking soda into an 8 oz (237 mL) glass of water and stir or shake the glass well to fully combine the baking soda and water. [2] X Research source
- Drink no more than 1 glass of baking soda each day. Ingesting large quantities of baking soda can be toxic and cause vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle weakness. [3] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source
- Do not drink water alkalized with baking soda if you are on a low-sodium diet for health reasons. Baking soda is high in sodium.
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Squeeze lemon juice into an 8 oz (237 mL) glass of water. While lemons are very acidic and have a low pH between 2 and 3, your body metabolizes them as an alkaline food. So, making lemon water might alkalize water when you drink it. [4] X Research source Simply slice or squeeze half a lemon into an 8 oz (237 mL) glass of water for a tasty, refreshing drink. [5] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Or, make a large batch of lemon water by thinly slicing 2 lemons into 2 quarts (1.9 L) of water. Chill the water in the fridge for 2 to 4 hours to give the lemons time to infuse into the water.
- While lemons do cause your urine to be more alkaline, there is no clear evidence that suggests lemons alter your body’s pH.
- To make your lemon water more mineral-rich, add 1 tbsp (17 g) of salt.
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Add cucumber slices into 2 quarts (1.9 L) of water. Like lemons, cucumbers are processed as an alkaline food when you eat them. [6] X Research source Making cucumber water might be a way to alkalize your water. Just chop 1 cucumber into thin slices and add them to a pitcher. Pour 2 quarts (1.9 L) of water on top and place the pitcher in the fridge for 2 to 4 hours before drinking.
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Pour pH drops into an 8 oz (237 mL) glass of water. Alkaline or pH drops are a concentrated liquid made of minerals that raise the pH levels of your water to alkalize it. Just follow the directions on your bottle of pH drops to determine how many drops to pour into a regular, 8 oz (237 mL) glass of water. [7] X Trustworthy Source U.S. National Capital Poison Center Independent poison control center providing resources to prevent poisonings and save lives Go to source
- While pH drops increase the alkalinity of your water, they do not filter out chemicals in your water, like chlorine or fluoride.
- If you want to get rid of the impurities and chemicals in your water, use a water filter pitcher . Or, distill your own water .
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Filter your water through an alkaline, or ionizing, water filter. An alkaline or ionizing water filter pitcher uses a mineralized filter to raise the pH levels in your water. These filters work similarly to traditional water filter pitchers, where you simply pour in the water and wait for it to pass through the filter. The series of filters in the pitcher saturate your water with alkaline minerals while also removing impurities. [8] X Research source
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Install a water ionizer machine. A water ionizer is a small machine that you typically attach to a faucet in your home. The machine separates your tap water into alkaline and acidic water through a process called electrolysis, where an electrical charge changes the composition of the water. While that might sound complicated, using a water ionizer is as easy as selecting how alkaline you want your water to come out of your tap. [9] X Research source
- Water ionizer machines are typically expensive and cost upwards of $500. If you plan to drink alkaline water often, buying an ionizer can be a more cost-effective option in the long run.
- Don’t discard the acidic water the ionizer produces. Use it to make homemade cleaning solutions or to wash your body, as acidic water can kill bacteria.
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Section 2 of 4:
Determining Your Water’s pH
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Check your water’s pH before you alkalize it. Water is typically around 7 on the pH scale, meaning it’s neutral. It's neither acidic (lower than a pH of 7) nor alkaline (higher than a pH of 7). However, the pH of drinking water can be slightly acidic or alkaline depending on the minerals and chemicals found in your area’s water. So, testing your water’s pH tells you if you have acidic, neutral, or alkaline water and how much you need to adjust it. [10] X Trustworthy Source U.S. Geological Survey U.S. government agency responsible for conducting scientific research on the nation's land, natural resources, and natural disasters Go to source
- In the United States, public drinking water is regulated to stay between 6.5 to 8.5 pH. [11] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source
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Dip a pH strip into your water and compare it to the kit’s pH chart. Fill a glass with water and then insert a pH strip from a pH testing kit into the water. Hold the strip in the water according to the kit’s instructions, which is typically between 1 to 20 seconds. Then, compare the color of the pH strip to the colors on the pH chart that came with your kit. [12] X Research source
- Alkaline water is between 8 and 9 pH. [13] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- If your tap water is below 8 or 9 pH, use any of the methods below to alkalize your water.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat are the side effects of alkaline water?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerIf you consume too much baking soda as part of drinking alkaline water, this can cause you to feel sick (nausea, maybe even vomiting). Another possible side effect of alkaline water if consumed in high amounts is that it that creates too much alkalinity and you may experience side effects like tingling, confusion, muscle twitches and hand tremors. Stick to drinking this type of water in moderation as a part of a healthy diet. If you have any concerns, speak with your doctor.
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QuestionDo it yourself alkaline water?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerYes, you can make alkaline water yourself. An easy method is to stir â…› tablespoon of baking soda into 1 cup (240ml) of water. Stir to combine, chill, then drink. Or, you can use pH drops and add these according to the package instructions. The article above provides other methods for making your own alkaline water, including using additives and filtration systems.
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QuestionCan baking soda make alkaline water?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerYes, baking soda can be used to make alkaline water. To make one version using baking soda: Add â…› tablespoon baking soda to 8 fl oz glass of water. Shake if it’s in a water bottle or simply stir with a spoon if you’re making the alkaline water in a glass. Serve immediately.
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Tips
- Use a pH testing kit to check the pH of your water after alkalizing it. This ensures that you are drinking alkaline water.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Alkaline water is a great means for buffering the pH of drinking water, which is often surprisingly acidic (particularly with bottled water)! Dentin can dissolve at 6.4 and below while enamel dissolves at 5.5 and below.
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Warnings
- Do not drink more than 1 glass of baking soda water each day or add more than the suggested amount of baking soda to your water. Ingesting too much baking soda can be toxic. [22] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to sourceThanks
- There is little evidence suggesting that alkaline water has notable health benefits. In some instances, drinking too much can upset your stomach. [23] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source If you decide to drink alkaline water, monitor your health for any negative side effects.Thanks
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about nutrition, check out our in-depth interview with Find BC Dietitians .
References
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/alkaline-water-dont-believe-the-marketing-hype/
- ↑ ​​ https://www.healthcentral.com/article/alkalize-the-body-with-baking-soda
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002749.htm
- ↑ https://www.eatthis.com/drink-lemon-water-every-day-effects/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/7-reasons-to-start-your-day-with-lemon-water-infographic/
- ↑ https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/List_of_Acid-Alkaline_Forming_Foods_-_NEED_PRINT.pdf
- ↑ https://www.poison.org/articles/is-alkaline-water-good-for-you
- ↑ https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/best-water-filter-pitcher/
- ↑ https://molecularhydrogeninstitute.org/water-ionizers-electrolyzers/
- ↑ https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/ph-and-water
- ↑ https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/drinking-water-regulations-and-contaminants
- ↑ https://sciencing.com/use-ph-strips-test-water-7869805.html
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/alkaline-water-dont-believe-the-marketing-hype/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/alkaline-water-dont-believe-the-marketing-hype/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8408322/
- ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nikki-Johnston/publication/230587176_Potential_Benefits_of_pH_88_Alkaline_Drinking_Water_as_an_Adjunct_in_the_Treatment_of_Reflux_Disease/links/00b7d5303d555e5f0d000000/Potential-Benefits-of-pH-88-Alkaline-Drinking-Water-as-an-Adjunct-in-the-Treatment-of-Reflux-Disease.pdf
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9621423/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507807/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-much-water-do-you-need-daily/
- ↑ https://www.poison.org/articles/is-alkaline-water-good-for-you
- ↑ https://www.forbes.com/health/body/alkaline-water/
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002749.htm
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/alkaline-water-dont-believe-the-marketing-hype/
About This Article
Article Summary
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The easiest way to make alkaline water is to thoroughly stir 1/8 tbsp of baking soda into 1 cup (240 mL) of water. You can also buy pH drops, and use them according to the instructions. Read on for more ideas on alkalizing water with additives and filtration systems.
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- "I worked as the drinking water specialist in an environmental testing laboratory. The EPA and each state have strict regulations on the safety of drinking water, both public and bottled water. All drinking water must be certified to be purchased in the USA, as well as other countries. This article is helpful for information about individuals' water." ..." more
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"I worked as the drinking water specialist in an environmental testing laboratory. The EPA and each state have strict regulations on the safety of drinking water, both public and bottled water. All drinking water must be certified to be purchased in the USA, as well as other countries. This article is helpful for information about individuals' water."
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"I've been reading a book about how most of us have pH levels and acidity levels that are very unhealthy for us. And alkaline water is one of the suggested helpful things we should be doing, so yes, this was very helpful as I didn't know how to achieve this. Great information that is easy to follow."
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"I don't want to spend much. Therefore, the baking soda, the lemons, and the pH strips are great. I'm now in the process of determining whether my Brita filters are giving me good water to start from. After measuring the pH, I'll determine what to do. Thanks."
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"Being a person who is having trouble with diseases and hydration, I found the article an important part to the start of alkaline water. This information was basic, but to the point and gave me enough information to make some changes in my life."
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"Seeing all the different methods helps put it all in perspective. I like to keep an alkaline-forming diet and use to water with drops. I do not believe in using baking soda consistently because it is sodium (too easy to get sodium imbalance)."
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