Alkaline water is water with a pH value greater than 7. It contains alkaline minerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, and potassium. On the other hand, mineral water is water containing naturally occurring minerals. The FDA requires mineral water to contain at least 250 ppm of dissolved minerals and should originate from an underground source. So, are alkaline water and mineral water the same?
The answer is alkaline water is similar to mineral water, considering its composition because both contain essential minerals. The only difference is that alkaline water can be created artificially from tap or RO-purified water, whereas mineral water must originate from underground, natural sources.
How can you create alkaline water artificially?
Both alkaline water and mineral water are available in grocery stores. However, you can make alkaline water at home by adding alkaline drops to regular tap water. Alkaline drops comprise essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and others. But alkaline drops must be handled carefully because they can cause third-degree burns if they spill onto your skin.
Water purifier manufacturers like Kent, Pureit offer alkaline boosters in their latest RO water purifiers that add essential minerals to RO-purified water and increase its pH to over 7. The alkaline booster contains mineral pods or granules that leech these essential minerals to RO-purified water as it passes through the cartridge.
Other water purifier manufacturers like HUL Pureit offer mineralizer cartridges that work similarly to add essential minerals to RO-purified water. This process is necessary because RO water purification removes essential minerals from the source. As a result, RO-purified water does not taste good. The addition of essential minerals improves its taste and nutrient value. So, in many ways, this water is also alkaline.
How is alkaline water different from mineral water?
The only difference between alkaline and mineral water is that alkaline water is created by adjusting pH values through chemical reactions, whereas mineral water is available naturally. But bottled mineral water is also created artificially by adding essential minerals to purified water.
Mineral water contains essential minerals but is not as alkaline as alkaline water. The pH level of mineral water is closer to neutral than alkaline, but it contains minerals essential and beneficial to our body.
Mineral water has a refreshing taste because it is naturally endowed with minerals. On the other hand, alkaline water can taste bitter or sweet because of its alkaline properties. Alkaline water has a higher pH level than mineral water.
Is alkaline water beneficial to health?
Since alkaline water contains essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc, it is suitable for health, especially for people suffering from acidity problems. Our diet consists of naturally acidic spices. Besides, the mild acids in our stomach secretions add to the acidity and cause acid reflux. Consuming alkaline foods or water can neutralize the acids present in the stomach and relieve acid reflux. Hence, alkaline water is a regular prescription medicine for treating laryngopharyngeal reflux.
Does consuming alkaline water have any side effects?
Studies show that consuming alkaline water can lead to side effects like nausea and vomiting. There are instances of people drinking a particular brand of alkaline water suffering from liver disease. The symptoms include nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, jaundice, confusion, and lethargy.
Conclusion
Alkaline water contains essential minerals and has a pH level higher than 7. However, mineral water does not necessarily qualify as alkaline water because its pH level is closer to 7. However, it also contains minerals beneficial to our health. So, mineral water is mildly alkaline, whereas alkaline water is more alkaline.
