Water is arguably the most important part of your diet when leading a healthy life. Even when we are consuming the proper amounts of vitamins, minerals and nutrients, the majority of us are still deficient in the world’s simplest and most abundant nutrient on Earth: water. As a whole, the body is comprised of 60%. The brain is 70-75% water, and our blood consists of up to 83% water. It is used in almost every single system and function in the body from cellular reproduction to detoxification. The body needs to be consistently re-hydrated because of the amount of water lost daily through sweat, urination, etc. It is easy to see why it is so critical to keeping the body functioning at its highest capacity. What we have also learned is that it is not always as simple as filling a glass from the nearest tap. Not all sources are created equal.
If push comes to shove and the only way you can access water is through a municipal source or a tap, please do. Unfortunately, not all people have access to a clean, filtered water source and in some cases, it is better to drink water than to not. Keep in mind, there is also no replacement for water. Sodas, juices, coffee, tea or even beer do not count as a substitute. The first thing to look for when searching for water is to find a filtered source, free from contaminants found in most municipal reservoirs. Next step is to just stay hydrated! As we mentioned before, you need to consume half your body weight in ounces of water a day. This is a simple rule you can follow when trying to stay hydrated.
In a perfect world, everyone would have access to a clean source of filtered water, free from contaminants like herbicides, pesticides and in some cases, prescription drugs. Even more ideal than that would be to find a source of water with a high pH level. Although there are no peer-reviewed studies backing the benefits of high pH yet, let’s look at some of the proven science behind the benefits a high blood pH, also known as an alkaline state in the body.
Basically, pH is a measure of acidity in the body. The scale goes from 0-14, with one being highly acidic and 14 being completely alkaline or base. There are a couple different ways to test the pH level in the human body; the two most common are through blood and saliva tests. The average blood pH level in humans is between 7.36-7.44. The average saliva pH in humans ranges between 5.6-7.9. If your blood pH level is at 7.4 or above, your body is considered to be in an alkaline state. Anything under 7.4 and your body is acidic. Dr. Otto Warburg won The Nobel Prize in 1931 when he provided research proving that cancer cannot survive in an alkaline, oxygen-rich environment. On the flip-side, cancer as well as myriad diseases will run rampant in a highly acidic, low-oxygenated system. What we know beyond a reasonable doubt is that we live in a highly acidic world. Acidity exists in almost everything from our foods – like pesticides in produce or our beverages such as coffee that act as diuretics and lower our pH due to its acidic nature. Also, electronics like smart phones, which we carry in our pockets and often hold close to our brains have proven to be acidic to the body. It should be fairly obvious that if there are any possible ways to increase alkalinity in the body, we should be doing whatever we can, as it can possibly prevent poor health and disease.
The average pH for water sits right around seven, right in the middle of the pH scale. There are different types on the market currently with pH levels ranging from 7 to 9.5 and above. Brands such as Essentia, Iceland Spring and Enamors that tout higher pH levels. It is easy enough to do your own research to see if there are high pH variations available in your area. There are also several different filters and supplements on the market that will boost your water’s pH level.
If you take anything from all this to-do about water, most importantly you should drink it – and a lot of it! Remember, nothing will replace water and, in reality, it is still arguably the cheapest and most important nutrient you can put in your body. Look for filtered waters or reverse-osmosis treated waters, which help purify water to its optimal state and lastly, look for a water with a high pH. If you are curious about your body’s pH level, there are saliva strips available at most pharmacies or see your doctor and ask for a blood pH test.
Read Part One: Understanding Water And Its Role In Our Bodies
Read Part Two: The Problem With Water, What Is Inside
