“Alkaline Water: Is it Worth the Money ?”
Recently, the craze to alkalize everything hit the general news, especially drinking alkalinized water. But, what is the scientific evidence that it is actually good for your overall health? Claims of health benefits have helped increase the popularity of alkaline diets and sales of machines that turn water alkaline. Ionizing machines are one example of these products, which can cost up to a thousand dollars. Alkaline water is the opposite of acidic water and it has a pH above seven. It has a higher pH level than plain water, which is below a pH of 7.0, down to zero. Neutral is a pH of 7.0. On the acidic side, vinegar is around pH 3, lemon juice is around pH 2, and battery acid is around pH 1. On the alkaline side, baking soda is between pH 8 and 9, and Milk of Magnesia is between pH 10 and 11. Water that is too high or too low in pH has adverse effects. Water that is too alkaline has a bitter taste. It can cause deposits to encrust pipes and appliances. Highly acidic water may corrode metals or even dissolve them. Machines called ionizers make water alkaline, but they are expensive.
