In social media and countless blogs, everyone seems to be talking about alkaline water. There are many who say it’s the secret to a healthier life. Others are not so enthusiastic about the health benefits of drinking alkaline water.
Top Rated Alkaline Water Machines on the Market
There certainly is a lot of evidence suggesting that increasing the PH of your drinking water to make it alkaline can result in numerous advantages. Though, for some, drinking alkaline water is not the best idea. We’re going to be investigating the pros and cons of drinking alkaline water and suggest some of the best alkaline water machines for those who see an alkaline diet as good thing. I’ll be discussing the good and the bad of alkaline water in detail, presenting all the facts.
Is Alkaline Water Really Good For You?
The popular notion at the moment is that alkaline water is one of the greatest health discoveries of our time. Some even suggest that it could reduce the risk of cancer. Though the jury is still out on that one.
Skeptics suggest that there is no real benefit to drinking alkaline water and that it’s all just sales hype. Sales of bottled alkaline water indicate that there is a big market for the stuff and where there’s money to be made, people will come up with any means to sell their products. According to the naysayers, the benefit of alkaline water is nothing more than a placebo effect.
I’m going to start out by presenting the argument that alkaline water does, indeed, have numerous advantages for your health. Later, we’ll also look into instances where it may not be good everyone.
When researching the advantages of drinking alkaline water, I’ve avoided using popular blogs that tend to present outrageous claims without actually citing credible medical research. Instead, I sought to find genuine scientific research proving what affects high-PH water has on the body.
Contrary to many articles I’ve read, suggesting that there is no scientific evidence to prove that alkaline water has numerous health benefits, I found several credible sources. You will find the list of the resources at the end of the article.
Alkaline water has a negative oxidation reduction potential (ORP) due to the increased hydrogen in the water. This has a significant effect on our general health and can be beneficial for people suffering from numerous health disorders.
Medical tests have deduced that the following health benefits can be attributed to drinking alkaline ionized water (AIW):
As more research is conducted, I’m sure many more conclusive health benefits will be discovered. As it is, medical research has proven that there are numerous compelling reasons to consider alkaline water as a healthy alternative to regular tap water or PH neutral bottled water.
Making Your Own Alkaline Water Using an Alkaline Water Machine
Whether you want to drink alkaline water as a healthier alternative or live in an area where acidic water is a problem, you can save heaps of cash by making your own alkaline (or PH neutral) water using an alkaline water machine.
These devices, also known as water ionizers, increase the water PH using electrolysis. The feed water is separated into acidic and alkaline components, making it possible to control the PH of the water supplied to the user. You can usually select the desired PH to produce either alkaline, PH neutral, or acidic water.
We’ve reviewed 6 of the best alkaline water machines.
1. ACE 13
The ACE 13 countertop alkaline water machine is stunning, with a modern design and beautiful stainless steel front panel. It is compact and delightfully practical. The flexible water outlet tube and convenient drainpipe, which secures neatly to the sink, make it really easy and simple to use. Great technological innovations provide even more convenience.
The state of the art digital controls allow you to make water across the pH spectrum from acidic to highly alkaline, depending on your requirements. The exact PH range will vary depending on the water source, but the manufacturers specify a PH range of 1.7 to 12.5.
Using 13 platinum-coated titanium electrolysis plates, it’s super-efficient and highly effective. The Extreme Hydrogen Boost technology means that your water contains up to 1.8 PPM molecular hydrogen with up to -1150 ORP. This means maximum health benefits from your alkaline water.
I absolutely love the intuitive user interface. A color touch screen makes finding the exact PH for the water you want on demand super easy. It has a motion detector that will automatically dispense water. You can also select how much water you would like, depending on the size of the glass you’re filling. The water supply will automatically switch off when the selected amount is reached.
As soon as you lay your eyes on the ACE 13 water ionizer, you’ll realize that this is a high-quality item. It is gorgeous to look at and just as impressive when it comes to technical specifications. This machine is designed for ultimate ease of use, making it an absolute pleasure to own. The only thing that may deter some buyers is the price. This is one of the more expensive options. Though, in my opinion, it is definitely worth it. Especially when you consider the lifetime warranty.
2. Edge-9 Turbo
In the realm of water ionizers (which aren’t exactly cheap), the Edge-9 Turbo is one of the more affordable water alkaline machines. Despite its refreshingly low price, this is a pretty impressive product. It certainly doesn’t look cheap with a beautifully elegant stainless steel front panel and high-quality materials.
The compact slim design is perfect for avoiding countertop clutter. Despite its small size, the Tyent Edge-9 Turbo is very effective and efficient. A 9-plate water ionizer, along with TM ceramic and carbon block multi-layer filters, you are assured of PH-controlled, heathy pure water. It’s more than just alkaline water machine, it also filters solid contaminants down to 0.5 micron. Contaminates like chlorine and fluoride are removed from the water. Filter replacement is made easy through a door in the front panel.
Selecting your desired PH is a breeze, thanks to a color screen with easy to select options and a turbo acidic or alkaline function. You can also select amount of water you want, and the Edge-9 Turbo will automatically stop when it reaches the desired amount of water, depending on the size of your glass or water bottle.
Adding to convenience and functionality, the Edge-9 Turbo has a very practical drain unit, and the water outlet dispenser can rotate 360°. You also have a jog dial to quickly scroll through the control options.
For exquisite design and highly advanced technology, I’m really surprised as how cheap the Edge-9 Turbo is. Okay, it’s not the cheapest you’ll find but it’s one of the best budget models when it comes to quality materials and efficient performance.
3. Kangen Water Machine
I’ve seen a lot of negative reviews about the Kangen Water machine. I guess this has a lot to do with the price, it is one of the most expensive alkaline water machines you can buy. When people are paying top dollar for a water ionizer, they expect a lot and are quick to complain if these expectations are not met. So, is the Kangen Water Machine Worth it?
Apart from the Kangen Leveluk Platinum, they don’t look like high-end products, with a pretty basic design in plastic (the SD501 platinum has an elegant brushed stainless steel front panel). When it comes down to it, buying a water ionizer is about making the best alkaline water. To this end, I can forgive this machine for its perceived lack of stylish design.
There is definitely no indication that this is not a high-quality product. It’s one of the few alkaline machines that’s made in Japan. This probably makes it more expensive than those made in China or Korea. But “Made in Japan” has it’s pros. These guys have become renowned for ultimate quality and attention to detail. The Kangen brand has definitely earned some prestigious industry commendations, like the Quality Water Association Gold Seal, along with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 13485 certifications.
Under the skin, the Kangen Water Machine does show its superiority, using high-grade 99.99% titanium plates. The Leveluk K8 model utilizes 8, pure titanium (99.9%) titanium electrode plates, the Leveluk SD501 and SD501 Platinum models have 7. It is the superior titanium plates that constitute most of the high price tag. It’s the most expensive material to use, but definitely the best. No corners have been cut, like using cheaper metals and plating.
When we look at Kangen performance, it really starts to impress. The Leveluk K8 produces an astonishing over 1,630 PPB hydrogen with -850 Mv ORP. The SD501 specs are also quite impressive – over 500 PPB hydrogen and -800 Mv ORP (platinum range) or -600 Mv ORP for the standard SD501. They all have a PH range of 2.5 to 11.5.
Only a select few see the point in paying a high price for what is arguably the best alkaline water machine on the market. For top-quality Japanese engineering, known for ultimate durability and incredible performance, it could be worth your while digging a little deeper into your pocket for the Kangen range of alkaline water machines. You get a 5-year warranty on all models.
4. AlkaViva Water Ionizer Machines Melody 2
The AlkaViva Melody 2 is a relatively cheap water ionizer machine, offering a lot more than I would expect for the price. It looks great with a gleaming stainless face plate and a large LCD screen. It also includes some mighty impressive technology.
The H2 infusion membrane means that you get even more hydrogen in your alkaline water (over 1,000 PPB), providing additional health benefits. The ORP specification is also great at -400 mV. The PH range is 4.5 to 10.5. All this is achieved using only 5 electrode plates.
The unit also includes additional filters providing clean water that tastes great. For even more value, they provide an EOS hardness/anti-scale filter with a rated 1,000 gallon capacity. The AlkaViva Ultra filtration system has been EPA tested and is certified to remove 249 toxins and contaminants.
Smart technology is used to optimize the electrode plate efficiency and performance. The AutoAdjust feature modulates the SMPS, which pulsates to provide the power needed for the most effective water ionization, whilst prolonging the lifespan of the machine. The self-cleaning DARC II system also helps keep the electrode plates in tip-top condition.
For an inexpensive water ionizer machine, the AlkaViva Melody 2 makes the grade in terms of supplying clean, pure alkaline water at the touch of a button. It utilizes advanced technology to optimize performance whilst keeping it economical by protecting vital components from harm. An all-round good value alkaline water machine.
5. Aqua-Ionizer Pro IonHealth Water Ionizer
This is another high-end product and is priced accordingly. The Aqua-Ionizer Pro ionHealth is at the top of the Aqua-Ionizer range of alkaline water machines and it’s not exactly cheap. You are getting quite a lot for your money though. It is a very stylish machine with a whopping 9 high-quality electrode plates to deliver premium alkaline water very efficiently.
Designed for great appeal, it has a gleaming stainless steel front panel with touch pad buttons and a small screen blended into the aesthetically pleasing design. Easy to use functions and warnings to change the filters make this a delightfully uncomplicated machine.
It includes high-grade filters for perfectly clean water. The filters remove 99.9% of harmful toxins and enzymes, including E.coli and salmonella. The auto-cleaning function means that you don’t have to worry about descaling the machine. This is one of the best water ionizers for hassle-free low maintenance ownership.
When it comes healthy ionized water (or low PH acidic water), the ionHealth can compete with any of the best alkaline water machines. It has a very respectable 1,600 H2 capacity and 950 mV negative ORP, with a PH range of 2.7 to 11.5. It is available as a countertop model with an under sink option also available.
With wonderfully easy intuitive control functions and uncomplicated LCD display, this thoroughly modern water ionizer is a pure delight to own. The Aqua-Ionizer Pro ionHealth water filtration and ionization system is a top-level machine with 9-electrlois plates and a limited lifetime warranty. You’d expect to pay extra for quality of this caliber, but it is most certainly worth the investment.
6. US Water Systems All American 6 Stage Alkaline Reverse Osmosis System
This proudly American made RO filtration system, includes an alkaline filter stage. The US Water systems 6 stage Alkaline Reverse Osmosis System has it all, providing healthy, pure water on tap without any countertop clutter. This is an under sink RO system with an elegant faucet included in the installation kit. The six filtration stages offer comprehensive water treatment for your home:
Reverse osmosis systems can reduce water pressure quite substantially. This is why US Water Systems offer the option of a non-electric high-pressure permeate pump to increase the water pressure.
The filters housings are fantastic, with a double O-ring design to reduce leaks. Maintenance is about as easy as it gets, and the filters are cleverly mounted for maximum ergonomics. The tank and other components definitely make the grade as being the of the highest quality standard
The US Water Systems 6 Stage Alkaline Reverse Osmosis System may not have the most impressive PH specs, most countertop water ionizers will do better. However, this system offers the whole hog. You get high-quality RO and carbon block filtration, ensuring that you have great tasing water that is free of just about all toxins and contaminants. The system is permanently installed with a dedicated faucet, so you have RO filtered alkaline water on tap 24/7.
What is Alkaline Water?
Water can be either acidic (PH below 7), Neutral (PH 7), or acidic (PH above 7). The EPA Guidelines for water PH is 6.5 to 8.5. Tap water in the US tends toward acidic. In many areas water PH can be as low as 4.3 to 5.3. In these areas, it is advisable to increase the PH of your drinking water. Even if don’t see the advantage of drinking alkaline water, too much acid in the water is definitely not a good thing. Although acidic water can be good for cleaning and slight acidity works well for making coffee.
Alkaline Water FAQ
Now it’s time to find answers to the questions people are asking about alkaline water.
Can Alkaline Water Be Bad For You?
According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, using high PH alkaline water for drinking and bathing is safe for humans and animals. While most people can safely drink alkaline water without experiencing any health related problems, some people have reported gastrointestinal irritation.
Bathing in alkaline water has caused skin and eye irritation in some people. This can also result when using acidic water for bathing, it depends on the individual. In most cases, alkaline water is good for hair and skin.
Overhydration occurs when people drink too much water, affecting the kidneys. Because alkaline water is rich in hydrogen, it can lead to over hydration. It is important to drink only the recommended amount of water (regardless of PH) recommended for your body weight. Typically, men should drink about 3.7 liters (15.5 cups) of water per day. It is recommended that women drink about 2.7 liters (11.5 cups) of water per day.
Some types of kidney disease might also be negatively affected by drinking alkaline water. However, it is generally consider to be good for most types of kidney disease. If you have kidney disease, you should consult your doctor to determine whether drinking alkaline water is good or bad for your condition.
For most people, alkaline water is a healthier alternative to regular tap or bottled water. If you have any concerns that alkaline water could be bad for you, you should seek the advice of a medical professional.
What Does Alkaline Water Taste Like?
People differ in opinion as to what alkaline water tastes like. Some say it is more bitter than ordinary tap water and also affects the taste of beverages like coffee and tea. Others say it is sweeter. I suppose the comparison will depend a lot on the quality of the water supply in your area.
Generally, ionized alkaline water has been compared to natural artesian water (supplied from an artesian well or spring). This is a natural refreshing taste that is preferred by most people who have tested it.
How Much Does a Water Ionizer Cost?
A basic portable hydrogen water ionizer can cost under $100, with high-end machines costing more than $5,000. Water ionizers often do more than produce alkaline water. They can include filters that remove toxins and contaminants from the water. These will obviously cost more.
It’s important to understand the cost of a water ionizer in relation to what you’re buying. Water ionizers function by using electrode plates. Through electrolysis, the water is altered to be more alkaline or acidic. The best quality electrode plates are made from pure titanium. Platinum is another popular metal for ionizer electrode plates. These metals are extremely expensive. Cheap water ionizers use cheaper alloys. They also use plating, instead of solid titanium or platinum.
In the end, you’re mostly paying for the quality of the electrode plates, as these are the most expensive components. Therefore, cheaper ionizers won’t last as long as the really expensive models.
Does an Ionizer Purify Water?
A water ionizer simply alters the chemical nature of the water to make it alkaline or acidic, depending on the user preference. They do not purify the water.
Though many water ionizers include sediment filters and other filters with media (like carbon block filters) to remove toxins,. Water ionizers can also be included as a stage of a reverse osmosis filtration system.
Do Alkaline Water Machines Work?
The scientific principle of using electrolysis to separate acids from alkaline in water has been proven to work. However, this does not mean that a water ionizer will work as effectively everywhere. The actual PH of the water produced will depend on the source water. In some areas, you may have better results than others.
So, while alkaline water machines definitely work, the specified PH may not be the same for everyone. It depends a lot on the minerals that are present in the water and the PH of the supply water.
Is Alkaline Water Bad for Kidneys?
There is no medical evidence to suggest that drinking alkaline water is bad for the kidneys. Early research by the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy into the effects of alkaline water on animals with renal failure and metabolic acidosis indicates that alkaline can be beneficial in the treatment of certain types of kidney disease.
Though some patients with kidney disease may be at risk by drinking alkaline water and should consult a doctor before trying it.
The effect of over hydration (drinking too much water) is not good for the kidneys. Whether you drink alkaline water or regular tap water, it’s important not to drink too much water as it can damage your kidneys and cause other problems like nausea.
How Much Alkaline Water Can I Drink a Day?
Drinking enough water every day is important for the body to remain hydrated. However, one can get too much of a bad thing. Yes, drinking too much water can be bad for you.
In terms of the amount of water that you drink, it depends on your body weight and, possibly, medical conditions that may require you to drink more (or less) water than what is generally recommended.
In terms of hydration, and the amount of water you drink, alkaline water is no different to tap or regular bottled water. Drinking 2 – 3 liters (8 – 12 glasses) of alkaline water per day will provide the maximum health benefits. At first, you may want to start off slowly, only drinking a few glasses of alkaline water and the rest regular water. This will allow the body to adjust to the higher PH water that you’re drinking.
What is the Maintenance Cost of a Water Ionizer?
A water ionizer does not require much maintenance. Your owner’s manual will advise you on what should be done to keep your machine in top condition. Some models have automatic cleaning and descaling. Others require that you do this manually at least once per year. Obviously cleaning and flushing the water ionizer costs nothing.
Many water ionizer machines have internal filter cartridges that will need to be replaced periodically. Depending on the type of filters you’re using and the amount of water you use, filters will need to be replaced every 6 – 24 months. Obviously, the filter type and the frequency with which you replace them will affect how much you spend to maintain your water ionizer. This can be anything from $60 to around $250 per year.
Which is Better: Reverse Osmosis or Alkaline Water?
A water ionizer and reverse osmosis system perform different functions, so neither is better than the other. An RO water purifier system can incorporate many stages of filtration, making this the best method of supplying clean filtered water to the home. One of these stages may include a water softener or alkaline stage. You can, therefore, have purified water that is also alkaline with the correct reverse osmosis setup.
An alkaline RO filtration stage is seldom as good as a water ionizer, which is usually a countertop machine. Water ionizer machines are designed to obtain a very accurate PH level using controlled electrolysis. This allows the user to choose exactly how alkaline they want their water to be. Electrolysis is also more effective than most alkaline filter media, allowing you to have a much greater PH range for your water.
Alkaline Water Versus Distilled Water
Distilled water is purified by heating the water into a vapor and then distilling it. This removes most impurities and kills bacteria. However, distillation of the water does not have much effect on the PH. Some minerals may be removed during distillation that could cause it become more alkaline or acidic.
Alkaline water has been filtered or treated with electrolysis to increase the PH, making it less acidic. This process does not remove impurities in the water. Though most alkaline water machines include filters to remove common toxins and contaminants.
Alkaline Water Vs Filtered Water
Filtered water is purified using several types of filtration media. This can anything from a water pitcher filter to a whole house reverse osmosis water filtration system. Water filters vary in their efficacy to remove contaminants from the water. Most will have a sediment filter that removes dirt and rust. Reverse Osmosis membranes remove very small particles, down to less than 1-micron. Carbon filters remove chemicals, like chlorine, as well as improve the color and taste of the water.
Some filters include an alkaline filter stage which will alter the PH to be above 7, making the water alkaline.
Can You Drink Alkaline Water During Pregnancy?
Alkaline water increases the body’s PH, by reducing acid. This is generally a good thing for pregnant women as higher blood PH is better for our health. Pregnancy is a common cause of osteoporosis, which improved by drinking alkaline water.
Since alkaline water can have no negative effect on a growing fetus and has many benefits for a pregnant mother, the answer has to be yes, you can drink alkaline water during pregnancy.
Alkaline Water for Kidney Stones
The kidneys are responsible for detoxifying the body. Good hydration helps maximize this process. When concentrations uric acid, calcium, or oxalate become too high, or citrate is too low, kidney stones can develop.
By controlling the body’s PH it is possible to reduce or eliminate the occurrence of kidney stones. Alkaline water helps reduce acid, which can help manage kidney stones. Consuming alkaline water is known to help with two common types of kidney stones – hyperoxaluria and hyperuricosuria.
Alkaline Water for Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is caused by high acidity in the stomach, producing symptoms like heartburn. By increasing the PH, thereby reducing acidity, alkaline water is an effective way of controlling acid buildup and providing relief form acid reflux.
Alkaline Water for Cancer
A lot of controversy has resulted from claims that alkaline water can be used to cure cancer. The idea that alkaline water can be beneficial for cancer patients (and the prevention of cancer) arose because of it’s high oxidation reduction potential (ORP). This helps reduce the occurrence of free radicals which are known to cause cancer.
While there is no medical proof that alkaline water can prevent, or even possibly cure cancer, it should help control the causes of cancer. To this end, it is definitely beneficial.
Alkaline Water for Weight Loss
Alkaline water improves digestion and can be effective as part of a controlled alkaline diet for weight loss. It’s important to know that drinking alkaline water, without adhering to a healthy diet and exercise program, will have little affect on weight, if any.
Can I Make My Own Alkaline Water?
There are many ways to make alkaline water at home. The simplest and cheapest method of making alkaline water is to add a teaspoon of baking soda to a gallon of tap water. The problem with using baking soda is that it affects the taste of the water, making it taste soapy.
You can also buy PH drops that you add to increase the PH and make the water alkaline.
The most reliable way to way to make alkaline water, that also tastes good, is to use an alkaline water machine or a filtration system that includes an alkaline water filter.
Resources:
EPA Guidelines for water PH:
https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/drinking-water-regulations-and-contaminants
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition: Effect of electrolyzed high-PH water on blood viscosity in healthy adults:
https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-016-0153-8
National Library of Medicine: Potential benefits of PH 8.8 alkaline drinking water as an adjunct in the treatment of reflux disease:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22844861/
Journal of Food and Drug Analysis: Clinical Effect and mechanism of alkaline reduced water:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286719002_Clinical_effect_and_mechanism_of_alkaline_reduced_water
Institute for Frontier Science: Studies and Observations on the health effects of drinking electrolyzed-reduced alkaline water:
https://www.witpress.com/Secure/elibrary/papers/WS11/WS11029FU1.pdf
World Health Organization (WHO) report:
https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/ph.pdf
Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/26293009_Ionized_Alkaline_Water_New_Strategy_for_Management_of_Metabolic_Acidosis_in_Experimental_Animals
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition: Effect of electrolyzed high-PH water on blood viscosity in healthy adults.
National Library of Medicine: Potential benefits of PH 8.8 alkaline drinking water as an adjunct in the treatment of reflux disease
Journal of Food and Drug Analysis: Clinical Effect and mechanism of alkaline reduced water
Institute for Frontier Science: Studies and Observations on the health effects of drinking electrolyzed-reduced alkaline water
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