ALKALINE water is water that has a pH greater than seven. The body functions best in an alkaline state (except for some organs, like the stomach) and so, many purport that drinking alkaline water helps to restore the necessary balance.

Many brands of bottled water and most drinks — including sports drinks and soft drinks — are acidic, which encourages complaints such as acid reflux, heartburn and strong odours from perspiration and urine.

Drinking alkaline water is said to reduce many of these symptoms and some say may even contribute to reversing these effects on the body.

According to the promoters of Alka Vida brand of alkaline water, their water promotes healing, fast hydration, detoxification of the body, and weight loss.

The general view is that many lifestyle diseases thrive best in an acidic environment, and as such, drinking alkaline water along with maintaining an alkaline diet and exercise, supports overall immunity and well-being.

Also, eating most fruits and vegetables will add value to a person’s healthy lifestyle goals, as they also contain alkaline properties.

Tuesday, March 22 is World Water Day, and the message from Alka Vida alkaline drinking water is: “Improve your water, improve your health.”

The promoters say that Alka Vida is a convenient way to maintain the pH balance the body needs in order to reduce the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and other non-communicable diseases.

Bottled by Health Creation Industries Limited, Alka Vida alkaline water reportedly has a pH level of 9+.

CAN ONE DRINK TOO MUCH ALKALINE WATER?

More often than not, people drink too little water daily rather than too much. Similarly, eating too many acidic foods is more likely than drinking the recommended daily intake of water.

Alkaline water is said to be beneficial to our bodies, bodies which are made up of about 72 per cent water.

There is no evidence suggesting that drinking too much alkaline water is any different than consuming too much normal water. But, the healthy goal and general guide is to keep the body optimally hydrated by drinking adequate amounts of water daily.

The promoters of Alka Vida insist that while other types of bottled water, for example spring and purified water, are available, there are more benefits to its alkaline water than simply the alkalinity or pH levels.

They say that Alka Vida is purified and alkalised to make it pure for the body.

“It can be used occasionally to prepare baby food without posing any problems,” the promoters said. “However, babies are born alkaline and hydrated; they do not need this ‘lifestyle change’ necessary for older people who are affected by diet and environmental stresses.”

They admitted that baby food is best prepared with clean, neutral water.

Alka Vida is alkaline water that is reportedly produced by an ionisation process developed in Japan, and not by adding chemicals.

“The most important feature of alkaline water produced by a water alkaliniser (ioniser) is its oxidation reduction potential (ORP). Water with a high, negative ORP is of particular value in its ability to neutralise oxygen free radicals,” Alka Vida promoters said.

Whatever your take, keeping the body hydrated by drinking adequate amounts of water daily is never a bad idea.