Now, heres where the alkaline water proponents come in: If you drink water that is acidic, youll create too much acid in your blood and pave the way for all sorts of health issues ranging from cancer to osteoporosis.
But can alkaline water be counted on to do so much for your health? And what exactly is it? Alkaline water is essentially water containing added compounds such ascalcium chloride, magnesium sulfate, potassium and/or sodium bicarbonate. Its pH is around 8 or 9, said Dr Look.
Tap water can range from 6.5 to 8.5, or even slightly acidic, depending on the country you are drinking it from, he said. In Singapore, the tap water has an average pH of 8.2, which makes it alkaline to begin with.
There are many claims that alkaline water can neutralise acid in your bloodstream and, in turn, prevent heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer, said Dr Look. So far, these claims have not been backed by scientific evidence.
