Cannot decide about hydrogen water vs alkaline water to give to your family? We know it’s frustrating to choose between these two drinking water types. However, knowing their differences and benefits can help you make a better-informed decision.
One of these drinking water types is perfect for its antioxidant properties, while the other is best for ensuring stronger and healthier bones. Why pick only one when some products can provide you with the best of both alkaline and hydrogen water?
Table of Contents
Differentiating Hydrogen Water And Alkaline Water
Hydrogen water is nothing more than the ordinary water you drink or use in cooking your favorite dishes. The only difference is that it has more hydrogen ions than your conventional water.
On the other hand, alkaline water always relates to water’s pH level. The Water Research Center says that water should have a pH of 7.0 for it to be neutral. If the pH drops below 7.0, it is acidic. Conversely, a pH above 7.0 makes the water alkaline.
Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency says tap water should have a pH of 6.5 to 8.5 to be safe for consumption.
As such, we can say that alkaline water has a pH of more than 7.0. Water alkalizing systems can raise water pH to 8.5 or higher by adding alkaline minerals into the water. Unfortunately, most American households have a tap water pH between 4.3 and 5.3.
You might wonder if the additional hydrogen ions in hydrogen water will also impact the water’s pH. While it can increase water pH, hydrogen ions alone cannot raise the pH beyond 7.5. Moreover, the free hydrogen ions interact with and neutralize free radicals.
One advantage of hydrogen water over alkaline water is it closely resembles human blood pH, the normal of which is 7.35 to 7.45. Given that hydrogen water can elevate water pH between 7.0 and 7.5, we can assume it is safer than alkaline water.
Benefits of Hydrogen Water
Hydrogen water is popular for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can be excellent for ensuring and maintaining optimum health. The following are three of its most recognized benefits.
Antioxidant Benefits
Extra hydrogen ions in water neutralize free radicals that are the main cause of oxidative stress. It protects the cells against damage and premature aging by regulating inflammatory gene expression.
A study on liver cancer patients showed that drinking hydrogen water could reduce hydroperoxide levels while also improving their antioxidant activities. Hydroperoxide is one of the indicators of oxidative stress. It also improved the patients’ quality of life.
Helps People with Metabolic Syndrome
The Mayo Clinic defines metabolic syndrome as a group of health conditions that can increase diabetes type 2, heart disease, and stroke risk. The conditions include high blood sugar, high blood pressure, abnormal lipid levels, and excess midsection body fat.
A study published in the Journal of Lipid Research revealed that hydrogen-rich water could increase good cholesterol levels and decrease bad cholesterol levels in patients with metabolic syndrome.
The same patients also showed a reduction in their tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) levels, an inflammatory marker. It is proof of hydrogen-rich water’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities.
Combats Muscle Fatigue
Athletes, sports enthusiasts, and extreme outdoor adventurers always drink hydrogen water, and for a good reason.
We already know that hydrogen-rich water has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. What many of us fail to realize is that hydrogen water can also slow down lactate accumulation.
Your body produces lactate and converts it into energy to fuel the muscles when there is not enough oxygen around. Unfortunately, too much lactate or lactic acid can lead to muscle cramps, weakness, and muscle soreness.
Hydrogen-rich water helps to reduce blood lactate levels, leading to reduced muscle fatigue. It also improves muscle power output, a benefit for sprinters.
Benefits of Alkaline Water
Alkaline water also has its benefits, although not as extensively studied as hydrogen water.
Improves Bone Health
A study showed that alkaline water could improve mineral bone density and reduce bone resorption, which is how bone cells destroy old bone tissues and form new ones. It results in stronger and denser bones and minimizes osteoporosis development.
Can Help People with Acid Reflux Disease
Acid reflux is an uncomfortable and painful condition whereby stomach contents get pushed back up into the esophagus or the food pipe. The stomach content’s acidic nature irritates the esophageal lining, causing pain and serious cell damage.
The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, & Laryngology published a study showing that drinking water with a pH of 8.8 can inhibit enzymatic activity that causes ARD. Unfortunately, the study was on laboratory animals, not humans.
Other potential benefits of alkaline water that do not have concrete empirical evidence include the following.
- Reduces high blood pressure risk
- Reduces blood lipid levels
- Lowers diabetes risk
- Cancer protection
Should You Get Alkaline Water or Hydrogen Water?
The only real benefit of hydrogen-rich water is its ability to fight oxidative stress. You should know that many food products have excellent antioxidant properties. These antioxidant superfoods are grapes, blueberries, dark chocolate, spinach, and beans.
As far as alkaline water goes, its main benefit is its bone loss prevention capabilities. You can also get the same effect by drinking more milk and eating calcium and phosphate-rich food products.
Technically, if you lead a healthy lifestyle and do not have any serious medical condition, you do not need to drink hydrogen-rich water or alkaline water. Clean, safe, and pure water is sufficient.
However, if you insist on getting either hydrogen water or alkaline water for your family, I strongly suggest giving them both.
The BIO CERA 003 is one of the best examples of an alkaline water filter pitcher with ionizing properties. Its ionizing capabilities replace hydrogen-rich water in eliminating free radicals, making it the next best thing to a hydrogen water-alkaline water combo.
Conclusion
The hydrogen water vs alkaline water debate is a mainstay in many health buff circles. Hydrogen water is perfect for people who want to control their oxidative stress. While people with a high osteoporosis risk should do well with alkaline water. I make sure that water pollution always is a concern of people; that’s why we’ve researched and put together a number of effective water filtration products that will work best for you, such as the most trusted the NSF certified water filters, sediment filters for well water and the whole house water filter.
Our recommendation is to enjoy both alkaline and hydrogen water. You can do this by getting a device that alkalinizes and ionizes water, like the BIO CERA 003. If you are healthy and strong, pure and clean drinking water is enough.
Hi, I am Ronald, founder of Saveourh2o. With this website, we aim to solve all the problems related to your water filters, softeners, and heaters. I have five years working in water equipment sales & service. I hope to bring the knowledge gathered from my daily work to help you to achieve comfort and safety in your home!