The Benefits of Alkaline Water The ocean is the last place most people would go to for their drinking water. Ocean water is salty and would probably send us straight to the emergency room. Most people would also think twice about getting their water from the local lake or river because instinctively we don't fully trust it. On the other hand, the easily accessible water bottles in supermarkets and the tap water in our homes can make it easy to think that because the water is safe then it must be pure. But how pure really is your bottled water? And how pure is your tap water? Knowing can mean the difference between standard health and quality superior health. The pH scale, which ranges from 1 through 14, measures whether drinks are acidic or alkaline (it also can measure the acidity and alkalinity of food but for the sake of this article, we'll focus on drinks). The pH scale essentially measures how acidic or alkaline a drink is. pH Scale The lower the number on the pH scale, the more acidic the water is (not a good sign). The higher the number on the pH scale, the more alkaline it is (and this tends to be a good thing). Our bodies love alkaline substances! With pH levels within the neutral number 7 range, our bodies generally enjoy having neutral and alkaline substances inside of it! Why? The simple answer is that most alkaline foods tend to be healthier for us. Alkaline drinking water (water with a pH above 7) is great for digestive health because it helps food travel faster through our colons. It also neutralizes the acidity in our bodies from acid-forming foods such as processed foods and red meat. Alkaline water equips our bodies to better fight diseases and boosts our immune system. There is one caveat regarding alkaline water. If you have stomach dysfunctions like GERD or ulcers that are largely related to having too little stomach acid, long-term use of alkaline or ionized water can interfere with your body's natural digestive process by reducing the acid needed to properly break down and absorb food. This could then lead to an upset of your body's good bacteria, which can then open the door to parasitic infection, ulcers and malabsorption. So, check with your doctor before drinking alkaline water long-term. For the rest of us, the best drinking water that you can give to your body is pure alkaline water. But how can you know if your water is alkaline? Fortunately, you can test the pH levels of your drinking water by using a pH tester. Liquid pH Tester Electronic pH Tester Using either the liquid or the electronic tester, anyone can determine if the water they're drinking is acidic or alkaline. I love the liquid pH tester because you can actually see the colors of the liquid change when you add the solution. Just to give an example, adding pH tester liquid to Sprite soda will produce an orange color indicating that the drink is very acidic. Adding pH tester liquid to tap water will produce a green liquid indicating that it is clean water. And yes, alkaline water will turn out to be very blue! So if you've tested your water and found that it is not alkaline, purchasing a water filter is a great first step. Water filters connect with your tap water to filter out acidic substances and produce the purest water for your body's needs. Water filters can be expensive, but they are worth the buy. Purchasing bottled alkaline water is a less expensive alternative. There are many brands to choose from as the market for alkaline water has expanded and demand has increased. So, choose a brand based on your budget and your preference. You can find them at your local health food store. Time tested and old-fashioned, but it does the work, boiling water and letting it cool also purifies your drinking water, making it more alkaline. By making these simple changes, you will ensure a healthier you – a stronger and energetic mind and body. So here's to better health and more purity in our water!