When it comes to the state of your health, you often have quite many solutions that generate a big impact on your quality of life. It is common knowledge that drinking a lot of water is good for your body. But the quality of that water can also make a difference. As you already know, alkaline water has been found to have higher quality over other varieties.
While it can seem like a specialty item, alkaline water is actually very easy to make – even in the absence of a water ionizer. So let’s see today how to make alkaline water at home with the help of common natural ingredients you find in the pantry or kitchen!
Once you learn how to prepare a glass of alkaline water at home, you will be able to drink as much as you like and is necessary for a healthy life. Check out the easy recipes below to find out how!
1. How to make alkaline water with apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar comes with a very long list of benefits for your health, beauty, and household care. If you find the flavor to be somewhat pungent, you will be happy to know that only a small amount is needed to turn a glass of water from neutral to alkaline!
What you need
- 16 ounces of water
- ½ teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
What to do
All you need to do here is stir the vinegar into the water. You can then drink it as fast or as slow as you would like.
If you are new to apple cider vinegar, you may notice that there are several different types available on the market. The organic option is of higher quality but the cheaper version will also work well for this drink.
2. How to make alkaline water with cucumber
Cucumbers are known to be one of the most hydrating fruits available. Eating them on their own is sure to add some steady hydration to your body. Adding cucumber to water is a practice that is used often in health spas and healthy living retreats. It is no wonder why – adding cucumbers to water makes it delicious and nourishing!
Moreover, we highly recommend you drink cucumber alkaline water as part of your daily 2-glasses-of-water-in-the-morning routine. Try it for at least two weeks and let us know how you felt and what positive changes you experienced during this time!
What you need
- 16 ounces of water
- 3-4 slices of peeled cucumber
What to do
This formula is easy to combine. The key here is to make it in advance to ensure ample time for the cucumbers to seep into the water. About an hour is all that you need. Make this before you go to bed to ensure that you will have a glass of cucumber alkaline water ready to drink in the morning.
3. How to make alkaline water with baking soda
Baking soda is one of the most affordable items that you can purchase in the supermarket. Because of this, adding baking soda to water is likely to be the cheapest alkaline water available! While baking soda is known to have a strong taste of sodium, using a small amount will not make it taste salty.
Baking soda has a pH of 9, being thus one of the fastest ways to make your water alkaline every time you need a healthy drink. A word of advice, however: if you are on a strict low-sodium diet, use the other alkaline water making recipes to protect your health.
What you need
- 16 ounces of water
- 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda.
What to do
Mix the two ingredients and stir well. This mixture is best combined using lukewarm water. That will allow the baking soda to dissolve completely. Another piece of advice here is to use purified water for your baking soda mix. You can use your water filter pitcher for fresh-tasting water or the water coming from your water distiller.
4. How to make alkaline water with lemon juice
Although lemons are an acidic fruit, the citric acid in the juice transforms into alkaline compounds when they are metabolized in the body. Fresh lime juice can also be used for this purpose. The science behind the alkalinity of lemons and their juice still needs some fine-tuning, but it is clear this ingredient has many health benefits. After all, drinking lemon water is healthy in and out of itself, contributing to your wellness and beauty as well.
What you need
- 16 ounces of water
- 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice
What to do
The temperature does not matter because lemon juice will disperse in warm or cold water. Resist the urge to add sugar to this mixture. Lemonade may taste good but added sugar will change the health benefits of this beverage. Lemon water is an excellent choice for an everyday healthy lifestyle, so make sure you have a batch of fresh lemons at the ready!
What Else Should You Know About Making Alkaline Water?
Try all four of the above recipes and see which one you like the best! These simple formulas can be easily doubled, or even tripled, according to your needs.
- Keep in mind that a glass or metal vessel is an ideal container for this quality drink.
Now that you know some of the best ways to make alkaline water at home, you may be tempted to make a large quantity at one time. However, keep in mind that it may lose its alkalinity after a while. For that reason, it is wise to make a fresh batch every day (not exceeding 2 days).
What is Alkaline Water?
What separates alkaline water from regular water is that the former has a higher PH level. It means that it has the ability to neutralize excess acid that is in the body. Having less acid in your body makes it possible for a greater capacity of oxygen to be present in your organs and bloodstream. We all know that we need oxygen to sustain us. Having increased amounts in your body can give you more energy and clarity of mind. Here are some things you need to know about alkaline water and its advantages:
Alkaline water has a higher pH level than regular drinking water. Because of this, some advocates of alkaline water believe it can neutralize the acid in your body. Normal drinking water generally has a neutral pH of 7. Alkaline water typically has a pH of 8 or 9. However, pH alone isn’t enough to impart substantial alkalinity to water. Alkaline water must also contain alkaline minerals and negative oxidation-reduction potential (ORP). ORP is the ability of water to act as a pro- or antioxidant. The more negative the ORP value, the more anti-oxidizing it is.
Does Alkaline Water Work as Advertised?
While the jury is still out regarding the true benefits of alkaline water, some studies here and there – albeit small scale and needing replication and better variables’ control – show that alkaline water does work in some particular cases.
There are two well-known research papers emphasizing the benefits of alkaline water. The 2012 study by Koufman and Johnston reveals that alkaline water might have a positive impact on the reduction of acid reflux and in the treatment of reflux disease.
Newer research, from 2016, published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition shows that alkaline water has a positive impact on the reduction of viscosity after exercise. Those who do not know what blood viscosity is, the explanation is simple. It represents the blood’s thickness and stickiness, often associated with stroke and cardiovascular diseases.
Science needs to take some steps further to prove and establish the benefits of drinking alkaline water. However, it is safe to assume it is far more advantageous than neutral or acidic water in the long term.
Alkaline Water Benefits – Summary
Given the fact that the human body is mostly water, it is easy to see the benefits that come from staying hydrated. Those benefits are amplified further when we drink water that is of high quality. Alkaline water offers a wide range of other benefits as well that are sure to appeal to many different types of people. Some of those benefits are:
- Increased blood flow
- Healthy skin
- A strengthened immune system
- Increased hydration
- Fewer acid reflux issues
Studies say that no diseases can develop in a body that is in an alkaline state. Drinking alkaline water on a regular basis will help your body to achieve and maintain its alkalinity.
What Other Solutions do We Have to Enjoy Alkaline Water at Home?
With so many benefits that come with drinking alkaline water, it is no surprise that you will want to have a ready supply in your home. So let’s see other means to enjoy the benefits of alkaline water with the help of modern technology and water filtration systems!
1. Water Ionizers
Alkaline water machines are water dispensers that turn regular water into alkaline water using a process called electrolysis.
These machines are very handy because they make it effortless to drink alkaline water throughout the day. However, they do come with a downside sometimes – the cost.
Ionizing machines, while without a doubt an excellent healthy choice for all families, can take some bucks out of your pocket. The more affordable option is to make alkaline water yourself until you get the chance to buy suck an alkalizing machine. Once you learn how to get alkaline water in the comfort of your home, you will find yourself drinking it more often.
Nevertheless, the main advantage of alkalizing devices is that they have excellent rates of return when it comes to the money you invest in them. The best water ionizer on the market is capable of providing you with alkaline water at all times and also improves the taste of your food and beverages, the health of your skin, hair, and nails, and contribute to the alleviation of acid reflux symptoms.
Check Out the Best Water Ionizers on the Market!
2. Alkaline Water Filter Pitchers
Water filter pitchers are by far the most popular types of water filters. Small, portable, compact, and capable of filtering out chlorine, heavy metals, and other common water contaminants, water filter pitchers make the ideal solution for any household. If you want to give up plastic water bottles and drink safe uncontaminated water, affordable water pitchers are the way to go.
However, among the best water filter pitchers on the market, you will also find some that make water alkaline besides cleaning it of impurities and toxins. People who want to drink clean water with a high pH and also protect the environment, can bring an alkaline water filter pitcher in the home and reap all these devices’ benefits.
Check Out the Best Filtered Water Pitchers on the Market!
Keep in mind that in some pitchers, alkalinization is a by-product and by-process of water filtering, so search well for a water pitcher that also turns your water alkaline.
3. Reverse Osmosis Water Filters
Home water filters are able to clean your water from impurities and contaminants and work well against some of the most common water issues. However, some of the best osmosis water filters – mostly the under-sink types – can also make your water more alkaline. Through the remineralization process, these filters enrich your water with minerals that increase the water pH. Just like water filter pitchers, alkalinization in RO filters is a consequence and not their main purpose. Before you get one, make sure the product you want to buy also comes with an alkalinization stage.
Check Out the Best Under-Sink Water Filters on the Market!
Is Bottled Alkaline Water Worth It?
Sometimes, alkaline water is sold in stores among the other choices of bottled water. While it may be true that the water had a different pH when it was put into the bottle, it is unlikely to still be alkaline when you purchase it. That is because water loses its alkalinity after several days.
In nature, alkaline water is commonly found in artesian wells and springs. However, such a valuable natural resource is not easily available to most people. Fortunately, it is possible to make it right in your own kitchen using ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
Bottom Line
Now it’s time for you to tell us if you ever tried one of the recipes above! And if so, which one is your favorite? Do you have other mixes you’d like to share with us?