Before you drink up, read up.
Here are a few facts: 1. In longevity villages of the world such as Lourdes, France; Okinawa, Japan; and Sang Sa, Korea, the water source is free from harmful contaminants, and rich in alkaline ionized minerals.
2. The most addicting and tastiest foods like fast-food, beans, nuts, anchovies, meats, shellfish, cheese and chocolates, as well as drinks like coffee, soda and alcohol, are highly acidic.
3. Ninety percent of us won’t give up at least three items in No. 2.
Alkaline water is characterized by its pH (potential hydrogen, which is the measurement of acidity and alkalinity of a substance) of eight or greater. Drinking this water brings down excess acidity that causes various sicknesses.
The active hydrogen in alkaline water helps destroy free radicals, which causes premature aging, as well as combats obesity due to its ability to flush out the acids that cause excess fatty deposits.
According to KYK Water ionizer developer Dr. Kim Young-Kwi, “Our bodies produce acid during the digestive process which is excreted via sweat and urine. However, due to poor lifestyle choices, such as drinking carbonated drinks, we get excess acid in our body, which leads to poor health. Drinking alkaline water restores the body back to a neutral pH balance of 7.”
Not all water has the same properties. During a test of several local bottled water brands at the opening of H2O Life Source Phils., it was shown that most of them registered at pH 6, which is in the acidic range. This can lead to health woes such as digestive problems, constipation, uric acid, gout, high cholesterol, diabetes, osteoporosis, tooth decay and the complications that come with it.
Beauty wise, it can include weight gain, acne, dull and lax skin, thinning hair, and body odor. Fortunately these are reversible and preventable by just drinking alkaline water and eating more alkaline-rich food like pears, apples and leafy green vegetables.
What alkaline ionizer to choose: I decided to feature KYK Alkaline Water Ionizer as it is backed by 33 years of research and is a recipient of various science and technology awards in Korea. I was also provided information from Korea’s FDA (Food and Drug Administration) that KYK is approved as a medical device. Clause 9 of the document states: “The medical device produces medical substance known as alkaline water with a pH of 8.5-10 and has positive effects on digestion, chronic diarrhea, excess stomach acid and abnormal fermentation in the intestines.” It helps that their ionizers are very sleek and look like cool gadgets instead of bulky rustic eyesores.
Reality check: The portable ionizer ranges from P84,000 to P160,000 for the platinum range. Certain clients, whose families have a history of diabetes, high blood, arthritis and gout, have gone the whole nine yards and have had an entire Alkaline Water Station installed for over P500,000. It actually looks very sleek and only needs 15 square meters.
One man’s trash
Do not throw the acid water in the filter. Although it should not be ingested, it does wonders for cleaning the skin as the acid boosts light exfoliation, making the skintone more even. It also removes dry, wrinkly skin, and eliminates acne-causing bacteria as well.
Used as a final rinse, it smoothes out hair cuticles and makes hair shinier. It strips off dandruff when rubbed onto scalp. Moms also use it to wash vegetables and fruits, and bathe pets to kill off certain parasites and bacteria.
If you want to test your favorite drinks, water at home, or your preferred bottle brands for pH range identification, bring samples to their showroom for a water wellness demonstration at G/F, Unit 11, East of Galleria Bldg., Topaz Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City; tel. 9420779, 0917-5057722; visit www.h2olifesource.com.ph