There are plenty of food trends and habits that claim you will be healthier if you practice them regularly, including the water you are drinking. Sadly, in many parts of the world, tap water is not appropriate for drinking because it contains minerals our body can’t handle, or it may be too acidy. Many people choose to drink bottled water, because they find the tap water too heavy for digestion, even though it’s just water.
Alkaline food is a popular topic, since the acids in the ingredients can make our body sick, and every now and then we should do a detox with alkaline food and water. If you check here, you will see that alkaline water can regulate the pH levels in your body, slow down the aging process, and prevent many diseases. But, many people think it’s the same with electrolyte water – and it’s not. Here we are to tell you the differences between them:
Alkaline water
The pH level of this product is around 8 or 9, which means it’s above the neutral balance of acids and alkaline in the products we take. The purpose is to neutralize the acids in your body, in order to treat some diseases. According to many studies, cancer cells need an acidic environment so they can grow and develop, and the alkaline products will prevent that, so they can be easily treated. Many doctors find the usage of this water controversial because people can overdo it, thinking they are doing something good for their health if they drink more of it. But, at the same time, there are some proofs that show it can give great results in treating different diseases because the alkaline environment stops the infection to spread over the body.
People who have acid reflux issues may have the benefits of drinking naturally carbonated water that contains alkaline minerals. Some independent users, who take it without recommendation, claim their blood is better after a few weeks of active use. But, keep in mind that it’s not healthy to keep your body over the recommended neutral pH value for a long time because there can be side effects too.
Those who use it, claim they feel more energized, younger, hydrated, they easily lose weight, their overall health condition is better than ever, and they can easily focus on what they do. It’s worth giving it a try, but don’t use it as a replacement for regular water, because you can do some damage and ruin your health.
But, don’t forget there can be side effects too, especially if you drink too much of it, including nausea, tingling, muscle twitching, and you can lead your body to a state of alkalosis, which is a lack of calcium. And, as you know, calcium is directly related to bone health, and you don’t want to ruin it, just because you followed some recommendations on the Internet.
You can choose between bottled alkaline water, natural water, or you can buy a machine to produce it at home. But, make sure you really need it, because if a completely healthy person drinks it as prevention, it may result in ruining it, and causing some problems you really don’t need.
Electrolyte water
The minerals in our body are known as electrolytes, and they are helping the whole system to run properly. And while the alkaline water is mostly ionized (naturally or mechanically), the electrolytes are simply added to the drinks to create something that can keep the mineral balance in the body. It contains sodium, magnesium, calcium, and many other important minerals for us that help to maintain the levels of water in the body, the neutral pH level, and removing the waste from the cells. It also regulates the functions of every organ in our body, helping us to recover after we are sick. The electrolyte drinks are mostly used by athletes because they sweat more than the people who don’t practice sports.
It’s infused with minerals, and people very often are confused when we talk about alkaline water, but the difference is in the purposes. Electrolyte water is keeping the healthy pH balance in your body at its neutral levels, and the purpose of the other one is to create an alkaline environment, “killing” the acidity.
Electrolytes are made to hydrate the body, and we highly recommend avoiding sports drinks, especially if you are pretty passive during the day, because they may contain a lot of sugar.
Usually, you should take after dehydration, because your body needs a lot of water taken slowly, rich in electrolytes because their imbalance can lead to fatigue, muscle and joint pains, cramps, confusion, tiredness, and even lead to anxiety and sleeping all day. It’s important to stay hydrated, especially after sickness, or exercising when you are losing a lot of water. This product will make you feel “alive” after you were sick or ill, bringing back the electrolyte balance. That means, your brain and nerves will work properly again, and also every other system in your body. Try to choose products that are rich in sodium, magnesium, and potassium, especially if you are on a restrictive diet that lacks many nutritional ingredients.
Conclusion
As you can see, even though they are pretty similar, their purpose is different. Alkaline water is used to create an environment with high pH, that will prevent some disease of further development. Electrolyte water is keeping the neutral pH balance in your body, and we use it after we lost liquids due to exercising, sickness, or any other health condition. You shouldn’t take any of it without consulting your doctor first, especially if you already have some conditions diagnosed.
Keep in mind that this article has an only informational purpose, and every piece of advice here should be followed by a doctor’s recommendation. We don’t know about your particular health condition, and we highly recommend visiting your doctor, so they can estimate if you really need these beverages taken regularly. Most of the time, they are used as a step in treatment, and their role is far from preventive.
