Alkaline water has been making the rounds in the news over the last four or five years, according to the water experts at Green Water Technologies. However, the term doesn’t really mean much to most people. So what, exactly, is alkaline water and how does it compare to acidic water?
Q: Is alkaline water healthy?
Green Water Technologies: Alkaline water is said to have a few minor health benefits, such as reducing acid reflux. Alkaline water is also higher in calcium which is a benefit for people who don’t regularly consume milk or other dairy products.
Q: How are alkaline and acidic waters different?
Green Water Technologies: Alkaline water is essentially water that has picked up minerals throughout its lifecycle. Water is rated on a scale of 0 to 14, with seven being neutral. Lower numbers indicate that the water is more acidic; higher numbers suggest the water has a dominant alkaline level.
Green Water Technologies: Yes. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates that tap water in the United States maintain a pH level of at least 6.5. However, there are a number of factors that can affect a specific home's water acidity levels and the EPA does not regulate water drawn from private sources. Homeowners who have concerns about the quality of water from their municipal water source should contact their county or city or invest in a whole home water filtration system.
Q: Does the FDA endorse the consumption of alkaline water?
Green Water Technologies: The FDA has not made any statements nor has it evaluated any claims made by the alkaline water industry. Alkaline water is widely considered just as safe as tap water. It is sold at most grocery stores and health food retailers and can cost $5 a bottle or more; tap water, by contrast, is just pennies per gallon.
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