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IS ALKALINE WATER A SCAM OR SNAKE OIL ON TAP?
There have been websites and articles posted on the internet which said that alkaline water is a scam or snakeoil on tap or quackery. This is to be expected as alkaline water is getting popular and has become the drinking water of choice for many people. We believe these websites/ articles are put up or financed by corporations to discredit alkaline water. For example the author of one article which claims alkaline water as a scam is a spokesperson for Wellness Filter System from Australia. Her article ends with a statement “ And Wellness water should be the purified water of choice” speaks for itself.
Another website “Snakeoil on Tap” which claims it does not sell anything constantly maintain top ranking for hotly contested keywords like alkaline water and water ionizers in all major search engines, is obviously backed by party with financial interest in seeing the awareness of the benefits of alkaline water suppressed.
Nevertheless there are some statements and claims raised in these articles/ websites that need clarifications. The most glaring misconception is that alkaline water will be neutralized by the stomach acid and hence has no effect on the body. One needs some understanding of biochemistry and stomach cells physiology to appreciate how alkaline water works in our body. When alkaline water enters the stomach it will dilute the stomach acid, the stomach cells automatically and instantaneously produce more hydrochloric acid (stomach acid) to maintain the gastric juices pH and in the process produces bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate) which goes into our blood stream. The chemical equation is as flws:-
NaCl2 +CO2 +H2O ===> HCL(hydrochoric acid) + NaHCO3 (sodium bicarbonate)
The net effect of drinking alkaline water is to increase your alkaline buffer ( bicarbonate) in the blood. The body uses the alkaline buffers in the blood to neutralize our body acidity.
Pls read article written by a scientist in our website (under product>>health articles>>alkaline water and stomach acid) which discusses how bicarbonate is produced when you drink alkaline water. This article includes a scientific research done by the Dr Lynda Frassetto of University of California and it shows that one looses bicarbonate as one ages. So it is also incorrect for the author to say that there is no research to support the statement that acid wastes hasten the aging process. Loosing bicarbonates ( lowering alkaline buffers) is due to our body increased in acidity as we age and Japanese doctors have long believe that if we are able to reduce acid wastes in our body it will slow down our biological aging.
Another misconception is that pure water cannot be acidic or alkaline nor can it be made by electrolysis. Although the statement is correct it is however, irrelevant. Chemically pure H2O does not exist in nature except in lab. Even when u make distilled water it soon absorbed atmospheric gases and its pH becomes acidic immediately. Hence the statement is misleading. Try telling an electrician that tap water does not conduct electricity so you can pour it onto electric power sockets.
There are alkaline water consumers and medical practitioners’ blogs that directly address these so called quackery websites. Among them is Rob Thomas who created his blog (http://www.waterfyi.com/about/) to share his knowledge and experience with alkaline ionized water. The water changed his life by eliminating his acid reflux and osteo-arthritis in 2008. The blog morphed into something far greater than it was ever intended, as others began to share their experiences. And he has this to say http://www.waterfyi.com/alkaline-water/exposing-the-quack-behind-the-alkaline-water-quackwatchers/
Another blog by Dr Robert Young, a reknown biochemist gave a blow-by-blow explanation to points raised by the “quackery” website. He states “I guess ignorance is bliss. The article makes statements but has NO scientific evidence to back up his false and misleading statements.” Read his blog at http://articlesofhealth.blogspot.com/2010/04/non-scientific-statements-of-dr-andrew.html
For those interested in a detailed reply to retired chemist, Stephen Lower’s claims in his website Snakeoil on Tap you can refer to this link http://glowing-health.com/science-and-myths/snake-oil-part1.html
I think at the end of the day the proof is in the pudding as the saying goes. The testimonies (available also on our website) and referrals that we get from our customers are strong indication that the water has helped and played a positive role in their health. My final caution to our customers and prospects is that alkaline water should not be used as a cure but part of preventative healthcare program to rebuild our body immune system.
Some 20% of Japanese households use ionized water. Alkaline water is available in hospitals and clinics throughout Japan and Korea and is registered as a medical device by the Governments of both these countries. The water has been consumed by the Japanese and Koreans for over 40 years and we all know that these two countries has the longest lifespan in the world.
As a nutritionist I look at health holistically and believe that our body is intelligent to repair, recover and maintain itself, and diseases and health challenges can only be overcome if you have a good immune system (not drugs). As human is over 75% water by body mass, drinking the right water is central to our health.