When you pick up a bottle of water the labels can be confusing. One bottle says it has a pH of 9.5. Another one lists minerals like calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate. They both sound healthy, but understanding the difference between mineral and alkaline water is essential before deciding which option is right for you.
The thing is, alkaline water and mineral water are not two separate types of water. Some mineral water is naturally alkaline because it has minerals in it.. Some alkaline water is just purified water that has had minerals added to it or has been run through a special machine.
A single bottle can sometimes qualify as both alkaline water vs mineral water, depending on its mineral composition and pH level. You cannot just look at the label. Say which one is healthier.
What Do These Names Really Mean?
Alkaline water has a pH that’s higher than 7. The US Environmental Protection Agency says that pH is measured from 0 to 14 and 7 is neutral. If the pH is 9 that means it is ten times alkaline than water with a pH of 8.
Having a high pH does not mean the water is clean. It just means it is not acidic. Whether the water is clean. Not is a separate question.
Understanding the difference between alkaline water vs mineral water. Starts with knowing that mineral water is defined by its natural mineral content, while alkaline water is defined primarily by its pH. One of the key mineral water benefits is that it naturally contains minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate, although the levels vary by source. The amount of these minerals can be very different from one brand to another.
In India there are rules for what can be called mineral water. The Bureau of Indian Standards has a list of tests that mineral water has to pass. These tests check for things like bacteria, pH and the amount of minerals in the water.
So the main difference between mineral water and alkaline water is that mineral water is about where it comes from and what is in it and alkaline water’s about its pH. But these two types of water can overlap, which is why the labels can be confusing.
What Do Minerals Do for You?
Your body needs minerals like calcium and magnesium. You usually get these minerals from the food you eat. Water can also have some of them.
The World Health Organization has studied how calcium and magnesium in water can affect your body. Among the recognized mineral water benefits is that it may contribute small amounts of essential minerals to the diet, particularly for people whose dietary intake is low.
You have to check the label to see what minerals are in the water. Some mineral water has a lot of calcium while other water has little. It depends on where the water comes from and how it is treated.
Having minerals is not always better. If you have to limit your sodium intake you should not drink water that has a lot of sodium in it.. If you have kidney disease or heart problems you should talk to your doctor before choosing a type of water.
Mineral water is not a substitute for a diet. Drinking water with calcium in it can be good for you. It is not a replacement for eating vegetables, fruits and other healthy foods.
What the Alkaline Water Claims Do Not Tell You
Many claims about alkaline water benefits, such as detoxification or changing the body’s overall pH, are not supported by strong scientific evidence. But that is not how your body works.
Your stomach is naturally acidic which helps you digest food and keeps you from getting sick. Your blood pH is controlled by your lungs and kidneys. Drinking alkaline water may change the pH of your stomach for a while but it does not affect your whole body.
While some advertised alkaline water benefits continue to be studied, current evidence does not show that alkaline water is healthier than safe drinking water for most people. They have studied it. Found that it does not have any special health benefits.
One study compared alkaline water to mineral water. Found that there was no difference between the two. It did not prove that alkaline water is bad for you. It did show that the claims about its health benefits are not supported by science. Drinking alkaline water every day for a month can also provide a practical perspective on what happens when alkaline water becomes part of a daily routine.
The Label Is More Important Than the Type of Water
If you want to choose the water you should look at the label. You want to make sure the water is clean, safe and suitable for your needs.
Here are some things you should look for on the label:
- Where the water comes from
- What minerals are in it
- The The amount of minerals in it
- If it has been Certified by a reputable organization
- How it was Stored
If you have an ionizer at home you need to make sure the water you put in it is clean. The ionizer can make the water more alkaline. It does not remove all the impurities.
When comparing alkaline water vs mineral water, both can be suitable choices if they are clean, safe, and appropriate for your individual needs. Mineral water can provide minerals like calcium and magnesium and alkaline water may taste better to some people. The most important thing is to choose water that is good for your health and that you will drink regularly.
Ultimately, which water is healthiest depends less on marketing claims and more on its safety, quality, mineral content, and whether it meets your hydration needs. Sometimes the best choice is the one that is clean and safe.
