Although drinking alkaline water is considered safe, too much water and too much alkaline could have severe health implications. Drinking too much water, particularly over a short period, can lead to water intoxication or water poisoning. Additionally, consuming high volumes of alkaline water can be corrosive and can lead to skin irritation, gastrointestinal issues, as well as metabolic alkalosis.
The recommended daily amount of water for the average person is just under 1 gallon a day. The amount of water you need may vary depending on how active you are or your health circumstances. Still, your body lets you know when it’s time to hydrate. It’s called thirst. Exceeding the amount of water your body needs (regardless of its pH) may have more adverse effects.
What Would Happen If You Drank A 5-gallon Bottle Every Day For A Month?
There is little to no research to show what would happen if you drank 5 gallons of alkaline water a day. There’s also not enough scientific research to support claims that drinking alkaline water has more health benefits than regular water.
Although one laboratory study showed that alkaline water at pH 8.8 might inhibit an enzyme responsible for heartburn, it’s only useful if you suffer from acid reflux. Also, the dangers of over-hydrating outweigh any possible benefits you could gain from alkaline water.
Sodium plays a vital role in balancing the fluids in and around your cells. A drastic increase in water intake can dilute electrolytes in the blood, such as sodium. If sodium levels drop below 135 millimoles per, people develop hyponatremia. When there’s too much water in the bloodstream, the cells absorb the fluids around them and swell. You may feel listless, confused, and exhausted. Severe cases of hyponatremia may lead to vomiting, muscle cramps, and even seizures.
Hyponatremia can be fatal if the cells in your brain start to swell. A 2013 study showed that individuals could present with hyponatremia symptoms after drinking 0.8 and 1 gallon of water.
Even though an adult with healthy kidneys can eliminate 5 gallons of water in 24 hours, the kidneys can only excrete around 0.2 to 0.3 gallons an hour.
What Is The Fastest Time Someone Has Chugged An Entire 5-gallon Water Bottle?
There isn’t an official record for drinking 5-gallons of water, with good reason. Speed drinking is hazardous. Exceeding 0.6 gallons per hour or drinking more than 2 gallons within a few hours could result in water intoxication and even death.
The Benefits Of Drinking An Entire 5-gallon Water Bottle Of Alkaline Water
Enthusiasts of the alkaline water trend may boast about its health benefits. However, no observable evidence suggests that consuming 5-gallons of alkaline water has any health benefits at all.
A study involving 100 participants found that participants who drank alkaline water after a vigorous workout had a 6.3% reduction in viscosity, indicating more efficient blood flow. Participants who drank standard water had a 3.36% reduction. More research with larger sample groups is necessary, though, to corroborate these and other findings.
A Japanese study noted that participants showed decreases in blood pressure, glucose levels, and blood lipids three to six months after alkaline water intake. However, these benefits are not linked to large amounts of alkaline water.
The Dangers Of Drinking 5-gallons Of Alkaline Water Each Day
Too much alkaline could cause skin irritations and may even lead to a coma. By lowering your stomach’s natural acidity, it can also cause gastrointestinal problems. Acidity isn’t a bad thing. The stomach juices are made up of enzymes and hydrochloric acid necessary for digestion and killing bacteria. An increase in your body’s alkaline levels could lead to further complications such as metabolic alkalosis. The symptoms of metabolic alkalosis include:
- Vomiting,
- Nausea,
- Hand tremors,
- Muscle spasms,
- Muscle twitching,
- Numbness, and
- Confusion.
In severe cases, or if the alkalosis isn’t treated, it could lead to dizziness, difficulty breathing, stupor, shock, and coma.
Metabolic alkalosis can also be caused by a significant loss of sodium or potassium in a short period of time – something that happens when you’re drinking too much water. The kidneys are responsible for flushing out water and other toxins, and it uses sodium in this process. So, the more water you drink, the more sodium is flushed out of your system, which is hazardous and potentially fatal.
Should You Reuse The Same 5-gallon Alkaline Water Bottle Each Day?
An alkaline water bottle turns normal tap water into alkaline water. Some use filter sticks, others use cartridges, and some, like the Alkaline Blue personal water purification bottle, use electrolysis. Most alkaline water bottles are reusable and should be cleaned before use. The manufacturer will let you know how many times you can refill the bottle before the filter needs to be replaced – if it needs to be replaced at all.
The cleaning process will differ based on the type of filter or diffuser used. It’s always best to consult the user manual for the brand you have. Some bottles or pitchers will; have a removable filter. If that’s the case, remove the filter and clean it.
The filter contains the minerals and beads used to iodize the water, making it more alkali. Rinse the cartridge with running water. You can wash the bottle or pitcher with warm soapy water or as instructed by the manufacturer. Pay close attention to any components that aren’t dishwasher safe. Once you place the filter back into the bottle, fill it with water, and wait for your water to alkalize.
If you have a pitcher, cleaning instructions may differ. Some pitchers require filling the pitcher with water until the filter is submerged. Dispose of the water and repeat the process. This cycle is generally repeated at least twice.
Drinking more than one gallon of water (of any pH) a day isn’t recommended. So, why not start with 500ml? Try the Alkaline Blue personal water filtration bottle and see if alkaline water is truly worth the hype.
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