By Rehan Iqbal
By now, it is apparent that drinking alkaline water is not just a passing fad. Medical research has proven the skeptics wrong. There are several well-documented benefits of drinking alkaline water. In Japan, it is even used as a medical treatment for acid reflux and other conditions associated with too much acid in the body.
As more people begin to realize that alkaline water is the perfect way to drink your way toward a healthier you, many questions have arisen. I’ve been researching all there is to know about alkaline water (and the alkaline diet) for quite a while. This has led to a series of articles which intend to provide you with all the answers to your alkaline water questions.
Today’s frequently asked question is: “Can I drink alkaline water every day?”
The quick answer to this important question is most definitely yes. With only a few exceptions that I’ll be explaining through the course of this article.
For most people, switching from regular tap or filtered water to alkaline water is simply a matter of replacing the old with the new. Just start drinking as much alkaline water as you would have any other type of water.
Drinking around 2-liters (8 cups) of alkaline water every day will improve your health in many ways. You should feel energized, less bloated, and generally more healthy.
Okay, that’s the quick and simple answer. If you’re planning to make the change to a healthier lifestyle by drinking alkaline water every day, there are a few things you should be aware of.
Possible Health Risks and Side Effects of Drinking Alkaline Water
While most people will feel immediately invigorated soon after embarking on the switch from regular tap water to alkaline water, some may feel a few mild side effects initially. There are also health implications for certain types of kidney conditions.
Let’s start wit the most serious alkaline water warning. The water we drink has an impact on our kidneys. Good hydration helps the kidneys function properly and flush out all those nasty toxins that we ingest. The kidneys also regulate the PH of our bodies. It goes without saying then, that the relationship between kidney disease and alkaline water should be taken very seriously.
If our kidneys are unable to properly regulate the PH of our blood, it can result in two different health conditions. Acidosis is a condition resulting from too much acid in the blood. Alkalosis is the opposite condition – too much alkaline in the blood.
Medical research has proven that alkaline water is highly beneficial for people with acidosis. It helps reduce the acid in our body, assisting the kidneys to perform this vital function. However, for alkalosis, alkaline water can be dangerous as it increases the alkalinity in our blood. If you suffer from any type of kidney condition, consult a doctor before switching to alkaline water.
For the rest of us though, it’s all good news. Drinking 8 cups of alkaline water (or more) is perfectly safe and incredibly healthy. There is a lot of information available on the benefits of drinking alkaline water. In fact, I’ve written quite extensively on the pros and cons of alkaline water myself. If you don’t know what all these benefits are, I suggest you read up on the benefits of drinking alkaline water.
Although the prognosis for drinking alkaline water every day bodes well for most of us, some have experienced a few side effects at first. These might include:
If you recognize any of these symptoms when transitioning to alkaline water, don’t be alarmed. Very few people experience these side effects but has been a cause of concern for some.
Generally, people who have not been drinking enough water daily, will take a little time to adapt to the increased hydration. A lot of this has to do with the detox process. So these symptoms are actually a good thing. It’s just that your body is reacting to the changes that occur as you wash away the toxins and acid that has accumulated in your body tissue over many years of incorrect eating and drinking habits.
It only takes a few days before you begin to feel the positive effects of drinking enough healthy alkaline water every day.
Make a Slow Transition
Any initial side effects that result from changing your water drinking habits from regular to alkaline water can be mitigated, possibly even avoided, by taking it slowly. This would be most relevant for people who have not been drinking enough water to begin with. Increasing the amount of water that you drink every day, should be done gradually. This way, your body can adapt and probably avoid any uncomfortable side effects.
Start with about two glasses of alkaline water per day. Then increase it by one glass every subsequent day until you’ve reached goal of your ideal daily water consumption. There is no precise rule as to exactly how much water you should drink per day. A lot will depend on your body mass. Besides, we are all different and we should assess what feels good for us.
The guideline of around 2-liters of alkaline water per day is merely indicative. The general recommendation is 5 to 6 cups per day for women and 8 to 12 cups per day for men. You should aim for a number that is close to this.
Conclusion
Unless you suffer from alkalosis, drinking alkaline water should be a wonderful thing for your entire body and mind. You may feel some side effects in the beginning, especially if you are not accustomed to drinking around 2-liters of water per day.
Don’t be alarmed by these initial discomforts, they should pass in a few days. Taking it slow and stepping up your daily water intake gradually is the best way to avoid any nasty complications. Giving your body a little time to adjust to your new, healthier water habits will make the transition easier.
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