You might have heard that ‘No Disease can Exist in Alkaline Environment,’ but do you really know what Alkalinity is??
The world’s renowned celebrities are promising that the Alkaline diet and Alkaline water are beneficial for us. But before trying it out ourselves, we should be aware of what it is and how it affects our health.
Here we’ll learn all about the Alkalinity of water, so without further ado, let’s dive right in.
What is Alkalinity?
Alkalinity is not the chemical component present in the water, but instead, it is the water’s capability to resist acidification. This ability of acid-neutralizing is also known as water’s buffering capacity.
A buffer is a solution where a certain amount of acid is be added without changing the concentration of Hydrogen ions, it will absorb the excessive H+ ions. And that will protect the water from fluctuations in ph.
The Alkalinity of water is due to the presence of certain chemicals like- bicarbonates, carbonates, carbon dioxide, and hydroxide ions.
In simpler terms, the water’s capacity of maintaining a fairly stable pH level is Alkalinity. Water with a high Alkalinity will protect the water from sudden shifts in water, and it has high levels of calcium carbonate, CaCO3, that helps in decreasing the water’s acidity.
Although there is a very thin line between pH and Alkalinity, they are totally different. While pH indicates whether a solution is acidic or basic, Alkalinity indicates how much acid the solution can absorb without changing the pH level.
What is Ideal Alkalinity in Drinking Water?
Generally, the Alkalinity of water is not taken into consideration under primary or secondary Drinking water standards of India. However, the Alkalinity level of water is considered during the coagulation and flocculation stage.
A high level of Alkalinity is good to have in our drinking water as it keeps the water safe and will keep the water’s pH stabilized. The ideal amount of Alkalinity in our drinking water should be 20-200 mg/L.
What Affects Alkalinity?
The Alkalinity of water is affected by environmental factors like acid, rain, plastic, and the Alkalinity of natural water is determined by the soil and bedrock through which it passes.
The Alkalinity in the water comes from the calcium carbonate that is obtained from the rocks and soil through which it passes. And if the rocks are broken down for any reason, this process is enhanced. Limestones contain a high level of calcium carbonate, and so the water with limestone and sedimentary rocks are high in Alkalinity. And the water with igneous rocks such as granites are low in Alkalinity.
As pH and Alkalinity are closely related, the change in pH also affects the Alkalinity level. Acid mining waste and urbanization also contribute to influencing the Alkalinity of water.
We can also say that Alkalinity is water hardness as they both have higher mineral content.
Is Alkaline Water Really Good for Health?
Alkaline water has been a controversial topic for quite some time now, but it is safe to say that Alkaline water is good for health.
Many experts believe that there are not enough claims to prove that Alkaline water is best for us but a study done in 2012 states that drinking naturally carbonated Alkaline water with a pH level of 8.8 may deactivate pepsin. It is the main enzyme that causes gastrointestinal problems.
Learn how Alkaline water helps with several gastrointestinal problems.
Moreover, the researcher also observed positive benefits to people who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes.
learn more about the health benefits of Alkaline water.
The Best Source of Alkaline Water
You can get bottled Alkaline water in the stores, but we would advise you to install an Alkaline water ionizer. It will make your job easier, and it is also a more sustainable option.
Check out Alkaline water ionizers by Fujiiryoki. They are the best in the market that eliminates all the hazardous substances. We have two models, and we are sure you will find one which will suit your requirements.
We hope that this blog helped you in clearing all your doubts about the Alkalinity.