You know, I remember a time when none of us thought anything about drinking a big glass of water straight from the tap in the kitchen.  Those of us with relatives living in the country were even used to drinking water straight from a spring.  Then came the chlorinating and fluoridating — and eventually many of us got on the bottled water band wagon. 

Then, of course, we learned that some of those bottled waters were no different from the water coming from the tap in the kitchen… and all the while we hear about the importance of drinking water to maintain our health.

I am bringing this to your attention because of a recent study reported in the Journal of Nutrition. As this study reports, there have been several studies in the past half century linking cardiovascular disease to the hardness — meaning calcium and magnesium content — of drinking water.1

The discussion of water in this article was just one component of the bigger issue it covered — our body’s acid/base balance or pH.  This is an important health issue that many people are not at all aware of.  Water is one of many factors that is making our bodies too acidic,2 a condition called metabolic acidosis. 

While the authors point out that the acidosis being seen is low grade, it is still enough to contribute to significant health problems such as lowered bone density, compromised immunity, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

There are many factors that contribute to an unhealthy acid load including environment, stress, diet, and drinking water — and don’t forget the amount of coffee we Americans drink.  An imbalance in the body’s pH will result in metabolic imbalances that can contribute to fatigue, increased  production of the stress hormone cortisol, insulin resistance, and lowered immunity. 

Neutralizing or alkalizing your body’s acid load can help reverse these effects.3 This is important because your bone density, heart, and even your energy levels and endurance are dependent upon keeping a healthy acid/base balance.

So what can you do?  Well, to start, cut down on those foods that are acidic such as sweets, refined grains, milk, and cheese.  Slow down on the coffee consumption and make one small change to the water you drink regardless of the source — add a teaspoon of lime or lemon juice (preferably fresh) to your 8-ounce glass of water.   

Lemon and lime juice will reduce the acid load in your body creating a more alkaline state. This in turn will help to keep your bones and your heart healthy, improve your immunity, and give you energy to spare. 

The quality of the water you drink is important to your overall health and well-being so don’t let this ongoing debate confuse you.  Remember to drink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of purified, quality water daily (reverse osmosis purification is the best) — and add a twist!

References

1. Rylander R. J Nutr. 2008 Feb;138(2):423S-425S.
2. Frassetto L Eur J Nutr. 2001 Oct;40(5):200-13.
3. Maurer M. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2003.

[Ed. Note: Jim LaValle is an educator, clinician and industry consultant in the field of integrative healthcare. He is a licensed pharmacist, board certified clinical nutritionist and doctor of naturopathic medicine with more than 20 years clinical practice experience in the field of natural therapeutics and functional medicine. Named one of the "50 Most Influential Druggists" by American Druggist for his work in natural medicine, LaValle has authored 13 books, including his latest, Cracking the Metabolic Code. For more information, click here.]

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