We all know the drill: drink plenty of water on the daily. The health of our bodies and minds depend on steady hydration in order to run efficiently. In the wellness world, the hype of hydration has started to hit new levels — all the way from A...to pH. Yep, we're talking about alkaline water. 

What is alkaline water?
Alkaline refers to water's pH level, which is the measure of its acidity. The pH scale runs from 0-14, with 7 as the mid-point. Liquids with a pH of 1 are very acidic, whereas liquids with a pH of 13 are very alkaline. Normal drinking water has pH of 7, while alkaline water typically has a pH of 8 or 9.

Why drink high alkaline water?
The blood that runs through healthy humans has a pH of about 7.4, which means it is slightly alkaline to begin with. However, some factors, such as the standard American diet and pollution, can cause toxins to accumulate in our bodies. This can make them more acidic and cause health problems. Those who support drinking alkaline water believe it can neutralize the acid in the body.

Potential health benefits of drinking alkaline water include:
• slowing down of the aging process
• prevention of chronic diseases (including cancer)
• immune support
• skin health
• weight loss

What are some risks of drinking too much alkaline water?
It's important for some of our organs to have high acidity. For instance, our stomachs are highly acidic, which is necessary for digestion. Therefore, some alkaline water nay-sayers believe that too much alkalinity could agitate the body's normal pH and cause some negative health side effects. 

How does alkaline water relate to yoga?
For those of us who like to get our sweat on, consuming high pH water reduces the body's blood viscosity after a strenuous workout. This means that blood flows more efficiently with alkaline, so an increase of oxygen (and therefore energy) is delivered throughout the body. 

Heck Yes to H2O
Whether or not you want to amp up your water's alkaline levels, opting for agua is key! Do so on-the-go with a reusable water bottle.

If the taste of plain water isn't your cup of tea, we have a sweet solution for you. Stay hydrated with this simple, flavorful, refreshing recipe:
• 4 cups purified water
• 1 pink grapefruit, cut into thin slices
• ½ lemon, cut into thin slices
• 5-6 crushed rosemary leaves

Do you have your own tricks for staying hydrated? We'd love to hear them! Share your tips with us in the comments below!