Facts about Alkaline Water
Is alkaline water good for you? YES! ABSOLUTELY!
This article will explain why.
Let’s Start with Water
What is water? Water is a liquid substance that is colorless and odorless. Water is made up of billions of molecules. A molecule is a groups of atoms bonded together. Each water molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Its chemical compound is H2O. We will discuss atoms and molecules later in this article. Water covers 71% of the Earth’s surface. It makes up the Earth’s oceans, lakes, rivers and streams. The oceans contain 96.5% of the Earth’s water.
Water is vital for all forms of life including the human body. The body is made up between 55-78% water, depending on one’s body size. The amount of water a body contains varies according to a number of factors. Men have a greater percentage of water than women. Those who are younger have a higher percentage. As we age the percentage of body water decreases. The body of a newborn is composed of about 75% water as compared to that of an elderly person whose body is about 50% water.
The water in the body is located in various places. Two-thirds of the body’s water is located in the cells. This is referred to as intracellular fluid. The remaining one-third is located in areas outside of the cells and is referred to as extracellular fluid. Blood plasma makes up 4/5 of the body’s extracellular fluid.
The Body’s Need for Water
In order to function properly the body needs a certain amount of water each day. The amount of water you need will depend on many factors such as your health status, how active you are and where you live. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine the average man needs about 15.5 (3.7 liters) cups of water each day. The average woman needs 11.5 (2.7 liters) cups. This assumes the adult is healthy and living in a temperate climate. A good way to estimate the amount of water you need to drink is to take half of your weight. Use that number as the number of ounces of water you should drink each day. For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, you should drink 90 ounces of water daily.
Water intake comes from drinking water, itself, but also from other beverages and food. About 80% comes from drinking water. The other 20% comes from food and other drinks. The human body loses water every day through breathing, perspiration, urine and bowel movements. It needs adequate replacement on a daily basis.
Water provides a number of functions in the human body.
- The body uses water in all its cells, organs, and tissues to help regulate its temperature and maintain other bodily functions.
- Water provides a medium in which biochemical reactions involved with digesting food, producing energy and building tissue take place.
- Water keeps various tissues in the body moist. The water level in our eyes, nose and mouth needs to be maintained. Our blood, brain and bones also require an optimum level of water.
- Water helps protect our spinal cord and lubricates our joints.
- Water enables our bodies to excrete waste through perspiring, urinating and bowel movements.
- Water aids in the entire process of digestion. Digestion begins in our mouths. Our saliva is made primarily of water. The enzymes in saliva help break down food and help to dissolve minerals and other nutrients. Water helps to digest fiber that dissolves in water. This fiber helps to make well-formed, soft stools that pass easily.
What is Alkaline Water?
Substances can be measured in regard to their degree of acidity or alkalinity. The acid/alkaline measurement is called the pH. The pH is measured on a scale of 0 to 14 where 0 is the most acidic and 14 is the most alkaline. The diagram below illustrates the range of pH for various substances.
Some Basic Chemistry
Here is bit of basic chemistry to help you to understand the idea of acidity and alkalinity. It begins with an understanding of atoms. Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter. They bond together to form molecules. Atoms consist of particles called protons, electrons and neutrons. Each atom is unique because it consists of a specific number of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Parts of the atoms have differing electrical charges. Protons carry a positive electrical charge. Electrons carry a negative electrical charge. Neutrons carry no electrical charge at all. The protons and neutrons cluster together in the central part of the atom. Together they are referred to as the nucleus. The electrons orbit the nucleus.
Below are two diagrams of atoms.
Here is bit of basic chemistry to help you to understand the idea of acidity and alkalinity. It begins with an understanding of atoms. Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter. They bond together to form molecules. Atoms consist of particles called protons, electrons and neutrons. Each atom is unique because it consists of a specific number of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Parts of the atoms have differing electrical charges. Protons carry a positive electrical charge. Electrons carry a negative electrical charge. Neutrons carry no electrical charge at all. The protons and neutrons cluster together in the central part of the atom. Together they are referred to as the nucleus. The electrons orbit the nucleus.
Below are two diagrams of atoms.
If you take an oxygen atom and bind it with two hydrogen atoms you get a water molecule. The designation of a water molecule is H2O. This means it consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. An illustration of a water molecule is shown below.
Molecules are extremely tiny. It is estimated that there are a little over 8,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (eight million million million million, or eight trillion trillion, or eight heptillion) molecules in one cup of water.
Atoms are electrically neutral because they have an equal number of protons and electrons. An atom that gains or loses one or more electrons is called an ion. In this new atom the number of electrons is different from the number of protons. If the number of electrons is less than the number of protons, the particle is a positive ion, also called a cation. If the number of electrons is greater than the number of protons, the particle is a negative ion, also called an anion.
What is Ionization?
Ionization is the process by which an atom or molecule gains or loses an electron. As a result the atom or molecule acquires a positive or negative charge. Here is how it applies to water. A water molecule is made of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms. In ionization, the water molecule loses one of the hydrogen atoms. The result is one hydroxyl ion (OH-) and one hydrogen ion (H+). The molecular formula of the water shifts from H2O to H+ OH-. The diagram below illustrates the ionization process and the creation of a hydroxyl ion and a hydrogen ion from a water molecule.
Atoms are electrically neutral because they have an equal number of protons and electrons. An atom that gains or loses one or more electrons is called an ion. In this new atom the number of electrons is different from the number of protons. If the number of electrons is less than the number of protons, the particle is a positive ion, also called a cation. If the number of electrons is greater than the number of protons, the particle is a negative ion, also called an anion.
What is Ionization?
Ionization is the process by which an atom or molecule gains or loses an electron. As a result the atom or molecule acquires a positive or negative charge. Here is how it applies to water. A water molecule is made of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms. In ionization, the water molecule loses one of the hydrogen atoms. The result is one hydroxyl ion (OH-) and one hydrogen ion (H+). The molecular formula of the water shifts from H2O to H+ OH-. The diagram below illustrates the ionization process and the creation of a hydroxyl ion and a hydrogen ion from a water molecule.
Here is how these facts relate to the acidity and alkalinity of water. All natural water consists of H2O molecules with hydroxyl (OH-) and hydrogen (H+) ions in very small quantities. It is these ions that give acidity and alkalinity to water. When these ions are equal in number, the water is neutral. When the number of hydrogen ions (H+) is higher than the number of hydroxyl ions (OH-) it is more acidic. When the number of hydroxyl ions (OH-) is higher than the hydrogen ions (H+), it is more alkaline.
How a Water Ionizer Works
A water ionizer can create both acidic and alkaline water. The ionizer is connected to the kitchen faucet. Tap water enters the ionizer and goes through a filter that traps any harmful contaminants and substances in the water such as chlorine, trihalomethanes, sediment, phenols, odor and organic waste.
Next, the filtered water passes into an electrolysis chamber. This chamber consists of platinum-coated titanium “plates” or electrodes. A small electric current passes between plates that ionize or split the water molecules (H2O) into two ions, a negatively charged hydroxyl ion (OH-) and positively charged hydrogen ion (H+).
Finally, the water is separated into two streams – alkaline water (with lots of hydroxyl OH- ions) and acidic water (with lots of hydrogen H- ions). The diagram below pictures the workings of a water ionizer.
How a Water Ionizer Works
A water ionizer can create both acidic and alkaline water. The ionizer is connected to the kitchen faucet. Tap water enters the ionizer and goes through a filter that traps any harmful contaminants and substances in the water such as chlorine, trihalomethanes, sediment, phenols, odor and organic waste.
Next, the filtered water passes into an electrolysis chamber. This chamber consists of platinum-coated titanium “plates” or electrodes. A small electric current passes between plates that ionize or split the water molecules (H2O) into two ions, a negatively charged hydroxyl ion (OH-) and positively charged hydrogen ion (H+).
Finally, the water is separated into two streams – alkaline water (with lots of hydroxyl OH- ions) and acidic water (with lots of hydrogen H- ions). The diagram below pictures the workings of a water ionizer.
Health Benefits Alkaline Water
What are the health benefits of alkaline water? Alkaline water has many health benefits. Several of them are listed below.
- ANTI-AGING PROPERTIES: Liquid antioxidants are absorbed more quickly into the body.
- ALKALIZING: The pH balance is restored by reducing the body’s acidity levels.
- WEIGHT LOSS: Reduces the need for fat cells that are created to neutralize the acid from junk food.
- ANTIOXIDANT: Free radicals that can cause cellular and DNA damage are neutralized.
- OXYGEN RICH: This increases the amount of oxygen that is dissolved in the blood.
- DETOXIFYING: The water eliminates the build-up of mucus on colon walls. As a result, the body’s ability to absorb important nutrients is improved
- SUPER-HYDRATING: The smaller sized water clusters are absorbed by the body’s cells more easily.
- CLEANSING: Alkaline water helps remove acidic waste and toxins that have accumulated in the body.
- CANCER RESISTANCE: The water helps neutralize cancer cells that feed on acidic foods.
- ENERGIZING: The negatively charged hydroxyl ions contribute to increased energy, overall alertness and mental clarity.
- WEIGHT CONTROL: The water reduces the body’s need for fatty tissues which protect vital organs from acidity by storing acidic waste in less critical parts of the body.
- CLEAN WATER: The filter inside the ionizer removes chlorine and other common pollutants that are present in tap water.
- REMOVES PESTICIDES: The strong alkaline water helps to remove pesticides from fresh fruits and vegetables.
- OTHER BENEFITS: There are more health benefits of alkaline water but they are not listed here.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
Water is vital for all forms of life including the human body. Water makes up most of the body and is vital for numerous biological functions. Therefore, it is a critical aspect of health. Overall, alkaline water is a vital substance that has many health benefits. This water is available through ionizer machines that can produce alkaline water from your everyday tap water.
MORE INFORMATION
CLICK HERE Click HERE to view a video demonstration of the pH of various water, including bottled water and water that is treated by a water ionizer. |
Health Habits that Will Help You Live to 100
One of the biggest factors that determines how well you age is not your genes but how well you live. Not convinced? A study published in 2009 in the British Medical Journal of 20,000 British folks shows that you can cut your risk of having a stroke in half by doing the following four things: being active for 30 minutes a day, eating five daily servings of fruit and vegetables, and avoiding cigarettes and excess alcohol.
While those are some of the obvious steps you can take to age well, researchers have discovered that centenarians tend to share certain traits in how they eat, move about, and deal with stress—the sorts of things we can emulate to improve our own aging process. Of course, getting to age 100 is enormously more likely if your parents did. (Recent research suggests that centenarians are 20 times as likely as the average person to have at least one long-lived relative.) Still, Thomas Perls, who studies the century-plus set at Boston University School of Medicine, believes that assuming you've sidestepped genes for truly fatal diseases like Huntington's, "there's nothing stopping you from living independently well into your 90s." Heck, if your parents and grandparents were heavy smokers, they might have died prematurely without ever reaching their true potential lifespan, so go ahead and shoot for those triple digits. Follow these 11 habits and check out Perls' lifetime risk calculator to see how long you can expect to live.
1. Don't retire. "Evidence shows that in societies where people stop working abruptly, the incidence of obesity and chronic disease skyrockets after retirement," says Luigi Ferrucci, director of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. The Chianti region of Italy, which has a high percentage of centenarians, has a different take on leisure time. "After people retire from their jobs, they spend most of the day working on their little farm, cultivating grapes or vegetables," he says. "They're never really inactive." Farming isn't for you? Volunteer as a docent at your local art museum or join the Experience Corps, a program offered in 19 cities that places senior volunteers in urban public elementary schools for about 15 hours a week.
2. Floss every day. That may help keep your arteries healthy. A 2008 New York University study showed that daily flossing reduced the amount of gum-disease-causing bacteria in the mouth. This bacteria is thought to enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation in the arteries, a major risk factor for heart disease. Other research has shown that those who have high amounts of bacteria in their mouth are more likely to have thickening in their arteries, another sign of heart disease. "I really do think people should floss twice a day to get the biggest life expectancy benefits," says Perls.
3. Move around. "Exercise is the only real fountain of youth that exists," says Jay Olshansky, a professor of medicine and aging researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "It's like the oil and lube job for your car. You don't have to do it, but your car will definitely run better." Study after study has documented the benefits of exercise to improve your mood, mental acuity, balance, muscle mass, and bones. "And the benefits kick in immediately after your first workout," Olshansky adds. Don't worry if you're not a gym rat. Those who see the biggest payoffs are the ones who go from doing nothing to simply walking around the neighborhood or local mall for about 30 minutes a day. Building muscle with resistance training is also ideal, but yoga classes can give you similar strength-training effects if you're not into weight lifting.
4. Eat a fiber-rich cereal for breakfast. Getting a serving of whole-grains, especially in the morning, appears to help older folks maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day, according to a recent study conducted by Ferrucci and his colleagues. "Those who do this have a lower incidence of diabetes, a known accelerator of aging," he says.
5. Get at least six hours of shut-eye. Instead of skimping on sleep to add more hours to your day, get more to add years to your life. "Sleep is one of the most important functions that our body uses to regulate and heal cells," says Ferrucci. "We've calculated that the minimum amount of sleep that older people need to get those healing REM phases is about six hours." Those who reach the century mark make sleep a top priority.
6. Consume whole foods, not supplements. Strong evidence suggests that people who have high blood levels of certain nutrients—selenium, beta-carotene, vitamins C and E—age much better and have a slower rate of cognitive decline. Unfortunately, there's no evidence that taking pills with these nutrients provides those antiaging benefits. "There are more than 200 different carotenoids and 200 different flavonoids in a single tomato," points out Ferrucci, "and these chemicals can all have complex interactions that foster health beyond the single nutrients we know about like lycopene or vitamin C." Avoid nutrient-lacking white foods (breads, flour, sugar) and go for all those colorful fruits and vegetables and dark whole-grain breads and cereals with their host of hidden nutrients.
7. Be less neurotic. It may work for Woody Allen, who infuses his worries with a healthy dose of humor, but the rest of us neurotics may want to find a new way to deal with stress. "We have a new study coming out that shows that centenarians tend not to internalize things or dwell on their troubles," says Perls. "They are great at rolling with the punches." If this inborn trait is hard to overcome, find better ways to manage when you're stressed: Yoga, exercise, meditation, tai chi, or just deep breathing for a few moments are all good. Ruminating, eating chips in front of the TV, binge drinking? Bad, very bad.
8. Live like a Seventh Day Adventist. Americans who define themselves as Seventh Day Adventists have an average life expectancy of 89, about a decade longer than the average American. One of the basic tenets of the religion is that it's important to cherish the body that's on loan from God, which means no smoking, alcohol abuse, or overindulging in sweets. Followers typically stick to a vegetarian diet based on fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts, and get plenty of exercise. They're also very focused on family and community
9. Be a creature of habit. Centenarians tend to live by strict routines, says Olshansky, eating the same kind of diet and doing the same kinds of activities their whole lives. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day is another good habit to keep your body in the steady equilibrium that can be easily disrupted as you get on in years. "Your physiology becomes frailer when you get older," explains Ferrucci, "and it's harder for your body to bounce back if you, say, miss a few hours of sleep one night or drink too much alcohol." This can weaken immune defenses, leaving you more susceptible to circulating flu viruses or bacterial infections.
10. Stay connected. Having regular social contacts with friends and loved ones is key to avoiding depression, which can lead to premature death, something that's particularly prevalent in elderly widows and widowers. Some psychologists even think that one of the biggest benefits elderly folks get from exercise the strong social interactions that come from walking with a buddy or taking a group exercise class. Having a daily connection with a close friend or family member gives older folks the added benefit of having someone watch their back. "They'll tell you if they think your memory is going or if you seem more withdrawn," says Perls, "and they might push you to see a doctor before you recognize that you need to see one yourself."
11. Be conscientious. The strongest personality predictor of a long life is conscientiousness—that is, being prudent, persistent, and well organized, according to The Longevity Project, coauthored by Howard Friedman and Leslie Martin. The book describes a study that followed 1,500 children for eight decades, collecting exhaustive details about their personal histories, health, activities, beliefs, attitudes, and families. The children who were prudent and dependable lived the longest, Friedman says, likely because conscientious types are more inclined to follow doctors' orders, take the right medicines at the right doses, and undergo routine checkups. They're also likelier to report happier marriages and more satisfying work lives than their less conscientious peers.
While those are some of the obvious steps you can take to age well, researchers have discovered that centenarians tend to share certain traits in how they eat, move about, and deal with stress—the sorts of things we can emulate to improve our own aging process. Of course, getting to age 100 is enormously more likely if your parents did. (Recent research suggests that centenarians are 20 times as likely as the average person to have at least one long-lived relative.) Still, Thomas Perls, who studies the century-plus set at Boston University School of Medicine, believes that assuming you've sidestepped genes for truly fatal diseases like Huntington's, "there's nothing stopping you from living independently well into your 90s." Heck, if your parents and grandparents were heavy smokers, they might have died prematurely without ever reaching their true potential lifespan, so go ahead and shoot for those triple digits. Follow these 11 habits and check out Perls' lifetime risk calculator to see how long you can expect to live.
1. Don't retire. "Evidence shows that in societies where people stop working abruptly, the incidence of obesity and chronic disease skyrockets after retirement," says Luigi Ferrucci, director of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. The Chianti region of Italy, which has a high percentage of centenarians, has a different take on leisure time. "After people retire from their jobs, they spend most of the day working on their little farm, cultivating grapes or vegetables," he says. "They're never really inactive." Farming isn't for you? Volunteer as a docent at your local art museum or join the Experience Corps, a program offered in 19 cities that places senior volunteers in urban public elementary schools for about 15 hours a week.
2. Floss every day. That may help keep your arteries healthy. A 2008 New York University study showed that daily flossing reduced the amount of gum-disease-causing bacteria in the mouth. This bacteria is thought to enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation in the arteries, a major risk factor for heart disease. Other research has shown that those who have high amounts of bacteria in their mouth are more likely to have thickening in their arteries, another sign of heart disease. "I really do think people should floss twice a day to get the biggest life expectancy benefits," says Perls.
3. Move around. "Exercise is the only real fountain of youth that exists," says Jay Olshansky, a professor of medicine and aging researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago. "It's like the oil and lube job for your car. You don't have to do it, but your car will definitely run better." Study after study has documented the benefits of exercise to improve your mood, mental acuity, balance, muscle mass, and bones. "And the benefits kick in immediately after your first workout," Olshansky adds. Don't worry if you're not a gym rat. Those who see the biggest payoffs are the ones who go from doing nothing to simply walking around the neighborhood or local mall for about 30 minutes a day. Building muscle with resistance training is also ideal, but yoga classes can give you similar strength-training effects if you're not into weight lifting.
4. Eat a fiber-rich cereal for breakfast. Getting a serving of whole-grains, especially in the morning, appears to help older folks maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day, according to a recent study conducted by Ferrucci and his colleagues. "Those who do this have a lower incidence of diabetes, a known accelerator of aging," he says.
5. Get at least six hours of shut-eye. Instead of skimping on sleep to add more hours to your day, get more to add years to your life. "Sleep is one of the most important functions that our body uses to regulate and heal cells," says Ferrucci. "We've calculated that the minimum amount of sleep that older people need to get those healing REM phases is about six hours." Those who reach the century mark make sleep a top priority.
6. Consume whole foods, not supplements. Strong evidence suggests that people who have high blood levels of certain nutrients—selenium, beta-carotene, vitamins C and E—age much better and have a slower rate of cognitive decline. Unfortunately, there's no evidence that taking pills with these nutrients provides those antiaging benefits. "There are more than 200 different carotenoids and 200 different flavonoids in a single tomato," points out Ferrucci, "and these chemicals can all have complex interactions that foster health beyond the single nutrients we know about like lycopene or vitamin C." Avoid nutrient-lacking white foods (breads, flour, sugar) and go for all those colorful fruits and vegetables and dark whole-grain breads and cereals with their host of hidden nutrients.
7. Be less neurotic. It may work for Woody Allen, who infuses his worries with a healthy dose of humor, but the rest of us neurotics may want to find a new way to deal with stress. "We have a new study coming out that shows that centenarians tend not to internalize things or dwell on their troubles," says Perls. "They are great at rolling with the punches." If this inborn trait is hard to overcome, find better ways to manage when you're stressed: Yoga, exercise, meditation, tai chi, or just deep breathing for a few moments are all good. Ruminating, eating chips in front of the TV, binge drinking? Bad, very bad.
8. Live like a Seventh Day Adventist. Americans who define themselves as Seventh Day Adventists have an average life expectancy of 89, about a decade longer than the average American. One of the basic tenets of the religion is that it's important to cherish the body that's on loan from God, which means no smoking, alcohol abuse, or overindulging in sweets. Followers typically stick to a vegetarian diet based on fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts, and get plenty of exercise. They're also very focused on family and community
9. Be a creature of habit. Centenarians tend to live by strict routines, says Olshansky, eating the same kind of diet and doing the same kinds of activities their whole lives. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day is another good habit to keep your body in the steady equilibrium that can be easily disrupted as you get on in years. "Your physiology becomes frailer when you get older," explains Ferrucci, "and it's harder for your body to bounce back if you, say, miss a few hours of sleep one night or drink too much alcohol." This can weaken immune defenses, leaving you more susceptible to circulating flu viruses or bacterial infections.
10. Stay connected. Having regular social contacts with friends and loved ones is key to avoiding depression, which can lead to premature death, something that's particularly prevalent in elderly widows and widowers. Some psychologists even think that one of the biggest benefits elderly folks get from exercise the strong social interactions that come from walking with a buddy or taking a group exercise class. Having a daily connection with a close friend or family member gives older folks the added benefit of having someone watch their back. "They'll tell you if they think your memory is going or if you seem more withdrawn," says Perls, "and they might push you to see a doctor before you recognize that you need to see one yourself."
11. Be conscientious. The strongest personality predictor of a long life is conscientiousness—that is, being prudent, persistent, and well organized, according to The Longevity Project, coauthored by Howard Friedman and Leslie Martin. The book describes a study that followed 1,500 children for eight decades, collecting exhaustive details about their personal histories, health, activities, beliefs, attitudes, and families. The children who were prudent and dependable lived the longest, Friedman says, likely because conscientious types are more inclined to follow doctors' orders, take the right medicines at the right doses, and undergo routine checkups. They're also likelier to report happier marriages and more satisfying work lives than their less conscientious peers.