Curious if can you use alkaline water to make coffee? Find out why it is gaining ground as one of the most promising types of water to infuse your cup of joe.
Whenever I hear the word “alkaline,” my mind goes straight back to one of my science classes when I was in elementary school, where we did a litmus test to determine the pH level of a substance. If you’re like me with hyperacidity but love everything about coffee, this topic will pique your interest.
In short: it’s perfectly okay to use alkaline water to brew your coffee. It will enhance your drinking experience, although it does have its downsides.
What Is Alkaline Water?
Alkaline water is a kind of water that has higher potential hydrogen than regular drinking water. The lower the hydrogen ions, the more acidic a solution is.
For scale, a regular cup of coffee has a pH level of 5, pure water has a neutral pH of 7, but often tap water falls in the 4.3 to 5.3 range. In contrast, alkaline water typically has a pH level of 8 to 9, with some even reaching 9.5.
Coffee is acidic, so your stomach feels sour after your third or fourth cup. As much as we love coffee, you might want to read a step or two on how to cut back your caffeine.
How Does It Affect My Coffee?
Alkaline water makes your coffee less acidic! Minerals found in alkaline water will blend with the coffee, which offsets the acidity and the bitter taste of the beverage.
But you don’t want your coffee to taste like bottled water, right? Two minerals found in alkaline water – magnesium and calcium – help extract the coffee’s flavor and amplify it. Of course, it’s good to know the correct ratio and temperature when brewing.
You might also be interested in learning if you can you use alkaline water to make coffee.
Benefits Of Alkaline Water In Coffee
1. Helps Curb Acid Reflux
A study published by the Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology concluded that alkaline water has an excellent acid-buffering capacity, reducing the stomach’s acidity and therapeutic benefits for patients that suffer from acid reflux. Alkaline water lowers the acidity levels of freshly-brewed coffee, so the effect is enhanced.
2. Regulates Blood Pressure
A 2001 study conducted by scientists in Shanghai found that people with high blood pressure and high blood sugar registered lower measures after three to six months of drinking alkaline water. Though this is debatable until now, these results are still promising.
No one reported adverse side effects, but moderation is key.
3. Enhances Concentration And Cognitive Function
Coffee helps people focus by increasing the dopamine levels in the brain. Alkaline water may enhance these benefits.
The Downsides Of Alkaline Coffee
There’s no conclusive evidence that alkaline water in coffee will produce adverse side effects, but too much of anything can be harmful.
Too much alkaline in the body can cause gastrointestinal issues. It might lead to metabolic alkalosis, which produces symptoms such as nausea, hand tremors, and prolonged muscle spasms, among others. Of course, we can’t set aside the effects of having too much caffeine.
More studies need to be conducted to prove the effectiveness of alkaline water and coffee. Always ensure the alkaline water you’re buying is naturally made (filtered using specific stones where it obtains its mineral content) or artificially created (processed through electrolysis). I always go for the natural one since it contains significantly more minerals than its counterpart, and artificial ones might contain contaminants.
There are artificial alkaline water products that utilize added minerals to offset the inadequacy, but this can affect the taste of your coffee as there may not be enough magnesium and calcium to enhance the flavor and aroma.
