Water. We all know we need it to survive. And that we probably aren’t drinking enough of it. That means we should make the amount we do drink count for more than just hydration. Nowadays, there are modified water forms with extra added benefits. Some even say health miracles. In this blog, we will compare hydrogen water vs. alkaline water to see which one comes out on top.
Let’s dive in…
What Is Alkaline Water?
Drinking water has a neutral pH factor of seven. Anything below that number is considered acidic. Anything above is considered alkaline.
Alkaline water must have a pH of at least eight. But it needs more than that to be beneficial for us to drink. To be considered alkaline water, it must have specific minerals and a negative oxidation-reduction potential (ORP). The negative ORP is an antioxidant that increases as it becomes more negative.
In theory, alkaline water neutralizes acids in the blood.
How Is Alkaline Water Made?
Alkaline water is made through a process called electrolysis. It separates the molecules by sending electric currents through water using two plates—one sends positive electric currents, and the other sends negative currents.
This process siphons out some of the acidic molecules and leaves more of the alkaline ones.
However, true alkaline water also has calcium and magnesium hydroxide, which are added before the electrolysis process begins.
What Are the Benefits of Drinking Alkaline Water
When the body is too acidic, it may increase your risk for health concerns. A lot of diseases love an acidic environment and thrive there. So, drinking alkaline water neutralizes acids in the blood.
However, there is acid in your body for a reason. It breaks down food and bacteria in your body, and it rids the body of waste. If there isn’t enough, you’re impeding your body’s incredible ability to kill bacteria and pathogens before they enter your bloodstream.
Some other benefits of drinking alkaline water are:
- It’s a powerful antioxidant
- Washes away toxins
- It assists the immune system
- Weight loss
- More energy
- Better muscle recovery
- It helps reduce acid reflux because it destroys pepsin
- Slows down aging
There haven’t been years and years of extensive scientific studies on alkaline water (or hydrogen water, for that matter). But some small studies have shown that drinking it helps prevent diabetes and also fights against cancer.
What Does Excessive Alkalinity Do To Your Body?
Our bodies should have a pH range between 7.35 and 7.45. A minor shift either way can cause major health implications. But what can cause such a shift?
- Too much caffeine
- Too much alcohol
- Too much red meat
- Too many processed foods
- Too much refined sugar
- Too much soda
- Smoking
- Obesity
As you can see, moderation could be the key to keeping your pH in check.
If your body becomes too alkaline, it can cause health issues.
Things like:
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Hand tremors
- Headaches
- Numbness
- Confusion
- Skin irritation
What Does Excessive Acidity Do To Your Body?
Too much acid isn’t a good thing, either.
If your body’s pH swings to the low side, here are a few signs:
- Acid reflux
- Low energy
- Leg cramps
- Dry skin
- Digestive problems
- Sensitive teeth and gums
So, as you can see, there needs to be a balance.
Does alkaline water really make a difference? Studies show that it certainly can. And it’s unlikely you’ll drink enough alkaline water to swing your body’s pH so far to cause excessive alkalinity. But keeping your body neutral is essential for your health. So, as with anything, if you want to try drinking it, add it slowly into your daily water intake and monitor how your body reacts.
What Is Hydrogen Water?
Regular water is two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. That’s why it’s called H2O. The two elements are chemically bound, so the natural hydrogen in regular water doesn’t do much other than keep you hydrated.
Hydrogen water contains extra hydrogen gas along with a bit of magnesium. It’s no longer H2O. Magnesium is essential because it reacts with water molecules to create hydrogen gas.
Drinking water infused with hydrogen can produce all sorts of benefits (more on that below).
But first…
How Is Hydrogen Water Made?
There are a few different ways to make hydrogen water:
- Add hydrogen tablets into the water
- Use an ionizer to perform electrolysis on the water, just as you would with alkaline water.
- Use a hydrogen gas generator to infuse the water with molecular hydrogen.
What Does Hydrogen Water Do To Your Body?
Think of hydrogen water as a super-boosted antioxidant that destroys free radicals. These unstable atoms damage cells and cause illness and aging.
Hydrogen is lipid, or fat, soluble, meaning it can penetrate through cell membranes. No other antioxidant can do that. So, hydrogen can literally enter every cell of your body to search for and destroy the excess free radicals.
But that’s not all this super nutrient can do. Once the hydrogen gas is used, it turns into water. Many other antioxidants turn into damaging free radicals when they are used. But not hydrogen.
Hydrogen water is also a potent anti-inflammatory. It actually increases the body’s production of anti-inflammatory mediators while decreasing pro-inflammatory mediators.
Other benefits of hydrogen water include:
- Decreases muscle fatigue
- Aids in weight loss
- Improves glycemic control
- Boosts mitochondrial function
- Protects the kidneys, heart, lungs and most major organs
- Boosts energy naturally
- Slows down the aging process
Difference Between Alkaline And Hydrogen Water
There are a few major differences, but the most significant is how they react in the body.
Alkaline water tackles issues and illnesses in the body by attempting to increase its pH. If you are too acidic, drinking alkaline water could raise your pH levels.
On the other hand, hydrogen water addresses illness at the root—inflammation and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants. Too many free radicals start to do damage to your cells, fatty tissues, and DNA.
Oxidation leads to the production of excess free radicals in the body. And simply put, they are the contributor or the cause of many diseases. Everything from pain and inflammation to chronic illness is linked to free radicals.
Studies have shown that molecular hydrogen defends the body against oxidation stress.
Now you know some hydrogen water pros, what about the cons? Does hydrogen water have negative side effects? Nope. That’s the beauty of it.
So, What Is Better Alkaline Water Or Hydrogen Water?
It’s clear hydrogen water is better for you and has more positive benefits than alkaline water. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t drink alkaline water as well. Both have their benefits.
In fact, some ionizers make hydrogen and alkaline water, so you are doubling your health benefits at once. But aside from buying your own ionizer, adding hydrogen tablets to your water a couple times a day is the way to go.
And since there are no negative side effects, why not give it a go?
If you are interested in giving it a try, we recommend Drink HRW products. Listen to the podcast episode with the CEO of Drink HRW, Alex Tarnava.
