Nov 20

Alkaline Water Benefits


Alkaline water made by home water ionizers has only been available in the U.S since the 1990’s, and very few studies are available in the U.S about alkaline water benefits. Most of the research performed on the benefits of alkaline water has been conducted in Japan.
Human Studies on the benefits of alkaline water: Stomach
Clinical evaluation of alkaline ionized water for abdominal complaints: Placebo controlled double blind tests Alkaline Water and Stomach Complaints
Summary:This study evaluated 25 patients with gastrointestinal problems (chronic diarrhea, constipation, abnormal fermentation in intestines, indigestion, acid indigestion, etc.) were either given alkaline water or clean water to drink.
Results: It was confirmed that alkaline ionized water is more effective than clean water against chronic diarrhea, abdominal complaints and overall improvement rate (relief of abdominal complaints) and safer than clean water. 88% of the test subject that received alkaline water showed improvements.
Limitation: This study was done on a small group of people (25). Researchers noted that unlike medicine, there is no promise of an immediate effect. Researchers noted that alkaline water was most effective for mild symptoms.
Bones:
Alkaline mineral water lowers bone resorption even in calcium sufficiency: alkaline mineral water and bone metabolism.
Summary: Study examined people who were determined to get sufficient calcium from their diets to find out if alkaline water could reduce the rate of bone loss. The study compared alkaline water to acidic water to see if alkaline water worked better.
Results: In calcium sufficiency, the alkaline water led to a significant decrease of PTH and of S- CTX (two important markers of bone loss). The acidic water with did not reduce bone loss.
Limitation: In calcium sufficiency, the alkaline water led to a significant decrease of PTH and of S- CTX (two important markers of bone loss). The acidic water with did not reduce bone loss.
Blood Pressure:
Mineral water intake reduces blood pressure among subjects with low urinary magnesium and calcium levels
Summary: A natural alkaline mineral water with a pH of 8.7 was evaluated to see if it reduced blood pressure in people with low magnesium and calcium levels.
Results: The results of this study suggest that waterborne minerals are a valuable source of nutrient uptake, and can reduce blood pressure in people with calcium and/or magnesium deficiency.
Limitation: This study was performed on a small group (20 people) and was short term. Additional studies are needed to confirm the effect of alkaline water on blood pressure
Laboratory Studies of alkaline water
Laboratory studies are performed in-vitro which means in a test tube, Petri dish or other container. The results of in-vitro studies are used by scientists to test theories. If an in-vitro study looks promising, then an in-vivo study, meaning in the body, is conducted to confirm the results.
Antioxidant benefits of alkaline water:
Electrolyzed-reduced water protects against oxidative damage to DNA, RNA, and protein
Summary: Human DNA was subjected to oxidative damage using hydrogen peroxide to simulate the type of damage that free radicals do to DNA in the body.
Results: Alkaline water was shown to enhance the antioxidant activity of ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
Limitation: This result of this study suggests that alkaline water enhances the antioxidant benefit of vitamin C. This effect would need to be tested in humans to confirm this.
Studies on the Properties and Real Existence of Aqueous Solution Systems that are assumed to have Antioxidant Activities by the action of “Active Hydrogen”
Electrolyzed-reduced water protects against oxidative damage to DNA, RNA, and protein
Mineral water intake reduces blood pressure among subjects with low urinary magnesium and calcium levels
Summary: This study evaluated four alkaline waters that were made by several methods, including a water ionizer, to find out if alkaline water has an antioxidant effect. Researchers in this study observed that molecular hydrogen was found in the test water not active hydrogen.
Note: The laws of chemistry clearly show that it is impossible to have “active hydrogen” in water because active hydrogen combines with itself rapidly to form molecular hydrogen.
Results: Alkaline water produced by electrolysis was shown to have an antioxidant effect in the laboratory
Limitation: The antioxidant effect of alkaline water in human tissues needs to be tested by further research
Can alkaline water help you?
Everybody’s body is different, you should consult with your doctor to find out if alkaline water is right for you. The results of these studies have not been evaluated by the FDA so they should not be construed as medical proof.
References:
Study on the use of the effectiveness of alkaline water to reduce the symptoms of an upset stomach:
Hirokazu, T et al Clinical evaluation of alkaline ionized water for abdominal complaints: Placebo controlled double blind tests Alkaline Water and Stomach Complaints 6th Functional Water Symposium ’99 Tokyo Conference Program/Abstracts Collection, pp. 6-7 http://www.3aaa.gr.jp/english/alkali/kl.html
Study on the effectiveness of alkaline water to reduce bone loss in people that get adequate amounts of calcium from their diet:
Wynn, E. et al Alkaline mineral water lowers bone resorption even in calcium sufficiency: alkaline mineral water and bone metabolism. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18926940
Study on the effect of mineral water on blood pressure levels of people who do not get enough calciumor magnesium in their diet:
Rylander, R Mineral water intake reduces blood pressure among subjects with low urinary magnesium and calcium levels. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/4/56
Research on the antioxidant effect of alkaline water combined with vitamin C:
Lee, M. Electrolyzed-reduced water protects against oxidative damage to DNA, RNA, and protein http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17159237
Review of a collection of studies on the antioxidant effect of alkaline water attributed to hydrogen
Hiraoka, A et al Studies on the Properties and Real Existence of Aqueous Solution
Systems that are assumed to have Antioxidant Activities by the action of “Active Hydrogen” http://jhs.pharm.or.jp/data/50(5)/50_456.pdf
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Ong, Y, et al. A Clinical Approach to Medicine
Azoulay, A. Comparison of the Mineral Content of Tap Water and Bottled Waters

Read more: Here







Nov 20

Alkaline Water or Tap Water, Benefits and Cost?

A water ionizer transforms ordinary tap water into ionized alkaline water. There are three main qualities of ionized alkaline water that make it better than plain water. The first reason alkaline water is superior to plain water is that it tastes better. Better tasting water helps you improve your hydration status simply because you drink more of it. Research has proven that alkaline water tastes sweeter and more refreshing than regular water.

Think about this: You have to drink water every day for the rest of your life; you are more likely to drink enough water every day if the water you are drinking is delicious!

Alkaline water clinically tested for digestive health
In Japan, alkaline water was compared to plain water in double-blind, randomized, clinical trials on people with digestive upset. These clinical trials showed that 88% of people who drank alkaline water reported full or partial relief of their upset stomach. Plain water did not show any effect on digestive upset. These clinical trials were conclusive enough for the Japanese Ministry of Health to certify alkaline water ionizers as medical devices for treatment of minor digestive upset.

Fact: The Japanese clinical trials showed that alkaline water leads to gradual – not immediate – relief of symptoms (about 2 – 4 weeks). For immediate relief of digestive upset, you need to take medication!

Alkaline water linked to better bone health
The strongest clinical evidence of alkaline water’s superiority over plain water is for bone health. Alkaline water has been shown to reduce calcium loss, and lower two markers of bone loss. The way to maintain good bone health is to prevent bone loss. Alkaline water has been compared to plain water, and acidic water, and the evidence is clear: Calcium loss is reduced when you drink alkaline water, plain water does not reduce calcium loss.

Even the Mayo Clinic agrees! Studies of alkaline water show a positive link to bone health.

Save money on alkaline water with a water ionizer
Alkaline water is better than plain water, but if you buy it by the bottle, the cost of it can add up quickly! Most bottled alkaline waters cost around $2.50 for a 16 oz bottle. To get enough alkaline water for one person, it would cost $75 dollars a month!

You can finance a water ionizer for about $60 a month, and have it paid off in a year or two. A water ionizer also gives you a lot more alkaline water than you would get buying bottled water. If your long term health plans include drinking healthy water, a water ionizer is a smart investment. You get better tasting water that’s better for you for pennies per gallon.

Compare and save: A year’s supply of bottled water (for one person, one 16 oz bottle per day) is about $900. A good, entry level ionizer costs about $1500. This means that you will break even compared to bottled water in about one year and six months. Two people sharing one ionizer will break even in less than a year!

Want to know how much we can put a water ionizer in your home for? Call us at (415) 203-5519 for the latest special offers!

What does the FDA say about alkaline water?
The FDA has not evaluated the health benefits of alkaline water. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The preceding information and/or products are for educational purposes only and are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or treat illness. Please consult your doctor before making any changes or before starting ANY exercise or nutritional supplement program or before using this information or any product during pregnancy or if you have a serious medical condition.





 




Nov 20

Alkaline Water vs Acidic Water

The pH of the water you drink matters. Alkaline water has been compared to acidic water in clinical testing and alkaline water has been shown to have a beneficial effect on some health issues. Acidic water has been shown to have no effect on health, or in some cases it may have a negative effect on health.

Alkaline water better than acidic water for calcium nutrition
The World Health Organization recommends you get 10 – 20 % of your daily needs for essential minerals like calcium from drinking water. A study called: Alkaline mineral water lowers bone resorption even in calcium sufficiency compared the effect of alkaline water and acidic water on calcium retention in the body. Both waters had equal amounts of calcium added to them. The alkaline water was shown to reduce calcium loss, and lowered two important markers of bone loss. Acidic water was shown to have no effect on calcium loss, and did not reduce markers of bone loss.

Bottom line: Alkaline water is better than acidic water for calcium retention and bone health.

Alkaline water protects against the toxic effects of mercury
A study was performed in Sweden to determine the effects of water pH on mineral absorption. Researchers compared hair samples from women that lived in a town with alkaline water to women that lived in a town with acidic water.

The study showed that the women that drank alkaline water had higher levels of healthy minerals like calcium in their hair samples. The women that drank acidic water had higher levels of toxins like mercury in their hair. The researchers concluded: “alkaline water offers protection against the toxic effects of mercury”

Bottom line: The body absorbs healthy minerals like calcium from alkaline water. Acidic water is not a good source of healthy minerals.

Alkaline water better, safer, than acidic water
Minerals like calcium are 30% easier for the body to absorb from water than they are from food. If your water is alkaline, you get healthy minerals in it, if your water is acidic, you can absorb toxins like mercury from it. It’s probably OK to drink tap water because the EPA requires the pH of tap water to be at least 6.5. But beware of distilled water or water from Reverse Osmosis; both of these become acidic when exposed to air.

For healthy bones your water had better be alkaline. Drinking water is the best way to get essential minerals for good health. Research shows that you get benefits from the calcium in alkaline water – even if you get enough calcium in your diet! Acidic water has no effect on bone health. You can avoid drinking acidic water; simply avoid distilled or reverse osmosis water (or add minerals to it before drinking).

What else can alkaline water do for your health? Call our healthy water experts today at (888) 688-8889 and take control of your health now!

Has the FDA compared alkaline water to acid water?
No. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The preceding information and/or products are for educational purposes only and are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or treat illness. Please consult your doctor before making any changes or before starting ANY exercise or nutritional supplement program or before using this information or any product during pregnancy or if you have a serious medical condition.

References

Wynn E, Krieg, M.A, Aeschlimann, J.M, Burckhardt, P, Alkaline mineral water lowers bone resorption even in calcium sufficiency. Bone; January 2009 44 (120-124) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

Rosborg I, Nihlgård B, Gerhardsson L. Hair element concentrations in females in one acid and one alkaline area in southern Sweden. Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Sweden. Ambio. 2003 Nov;32(7):440-6.