By: Cat Ebeling, RN, MSN-PHN, co-author of the best-sellers:  The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix

Water, water, everywhere!

The water aisle at the grocery store has grown bigger and bigger. Now you have to make choices between natural spring water, volcanic water, sparkling mineral water, alkaline water, flavored water, ‘smart’ water, or just your basic reverse osmosis purified water. It’s mind boggling, really. Who would have thought it would be so hard to just get a healthy drink of water! Not to mention the prices—some of these bottles of water can cost a fortune! But, are they worth it?

Sure, there’s good ‘ole tap water, but depending on where you live, may not be all that healthy, (unless you have well water) and is often full of harmful chemicals like fluoride and chlorine, as well as toxic leftover medications, glyphosate, and potential pathogens. But what about bottled water?

Let’s take a more in-depth look at some of bottled water choices that appear on your grocery store shelves, so that next time you are faced with that wall of water choices, you will know just what to reach for.

Alkaline water

“Alkaline” water has to do with its pH level. The pH level tells you how acidic or alkaline something is from 0-14, with the lower numbers being more acidic and the higher numbers alkaline.

Alkaline water is thought to neutralize the body. The pH of the human body lies in a tight range between 7.35-7.45, and any minor alterations from this range can cause severe health issues.

It is considered that disease states begin when the human body becomes too acidic, so drinking alkaline water helps to push the body back into the alkaline range.

Whether alkaline water is good for you or not has to do with how it’s made. When water is naturally alkaline, it picks up minerals from coming in contact with rocks which makes it alkaline. So you get minerals and alkalinity, naturally.

Alkaline water seems to be the big new ‘thing’. Alkaline water means that it’s pH is higher and more alkaline. Our body’s own pH generally falls around 7.4. It’s thought that diet and lifestyle factors can make our bodies more acidic, which then makes one more susceptible to disease. The selling factor of this water is if you drink alkaline water, your body will become less acidic and therefore healthier.

Natural vs Artificially Created Alkaline Water

Natural alkaline water comes from springs or wells where there is a lot of minerals. The minerals in the water are what make it more alkaline. This water can be quite healthy and contain magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium, making it not only thirst-quenching but full of electrolytes and minerals.

Artificially created alkaline water comes from a chemical process called electrolysis, which raises the pH in the water with an ionizer. When the acidic and alkaline water molecules are separated, the acidic water is removed and what remains is alkaline. Ionized alkaline water can have pH values as high as 9.5 or higher.

Bottom line: Alkaline water is good for you, but don’t believe all the health claims–they are not scientifically proven. Natural alkaline water comes from minerals which is a healthier version to drink. Use caution with artificially-made alkaline water; it usually has less beneficial minerals in it, and may also contain contaminants, depending on the source and whether the water is purified prior to the alkalization process. Drinking too much artificial alkaline water can actually minerals out of the body and be detrimental to your health.

Examples: Naturally alkaline water includes Icelandic Glacial Spring water and Rocky Mountain Spring water. Artificially ionized alkaline water includes Glaceau Alkaline Smartwater, Essentia ionized water, Talkingrain Essentials, and Alkaline 88.

Mineral Water

Mineral water naturally contains minerals and is often a type of natural spring water. When rainwater filters down deep through rocks, it not only is purified, but it picks up minerals which are good your health. Mineral water, which contains magnesium and calcium can help lower blood pressure, reduce heart disease, and benefit bone health.

There is a wide range of quality when it comes to mineral water, based on the source. Mineral water can also come from different types of rock like bedrock, or volcanic rock—and it makes a great difference in the quality, taste and purity of the water. Some mineral waters have a higher mineral content than others, depending on where they come from.

Mineral water is usually high in essential minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and sodium. This makes mineral water an ideal source to replenish not only fluids, but vital electrolytes in the body. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that to be classified as ‘mineral water’, it must have at least 250 parts per million (ppm) of dissolved solids from its source. This includes minerals and trace elements. It is not permissible to add minerals during bottling. Gerolsteiner, a well-known mineral water has over 2,500 ppm minerals including calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, potassium, sodium, chloride, and “other minerals”.

Some mineral water has natural carbonation which is fine, if you like the extra fizziness. Carbonation comes from the CO2 in the water. For many, it’s just a matter of personal taste. Sparkling mineral water can also have the carbonation added during bottling. Mineral waters like Perrier, Pellegrino or Gerolsteiner waters are naturally carbonated.

While sparkling water may be slightly more acidic due to the reaction of carbon dioxide and H2O, it is not enough to be significant. Carbon dioxide and water react to produce carbonic acid, a weak acid that’s known to stimulate a burning, prickly sensation that can be enjoyable to some people.

Note, however, that drinking carbonated water does not actually make your body more acidic. It’s really just a matter of taste preference, “still or sparkling?” as waiters often ask.

Bottom Line: Mineral water can one of the healthiest types of water to drink. It replaces essential minerals and electrolytes and is often alkaline as well. Always check the water source on the back of the label.

Examples: Gerolsteiner, Topo Chico, Perrier, Pellegrino and Calistoga.

Spring Water

‘Spring’ water can be a fairly generic term and there is a huge amount of diversity for spring water, its purity and where it comes from. Spring water is water that is filtered through rocks and comes up to the surface.

Like mineral water, spring water also generally comes from an underground source and is usually bottled at the source. It contains minerals, electrolytes and other essential dissolved solids. Spring water comes to the surface, while artesian well water is similar to spring water, but it must be accessed underground by a well.

However, spring water requirements are not as tight as mineral water. While it can have minerals in it, it is not required to contain a certain amount. It’s only held to the same standards that apply to tap water, and there’s no official recognition needed to label your water “spring water”, nor does its composition need to be consistent every time. So that makes spring water ‘iffy’ as far as purity, toxins, dissolved minerals, etc.

Artesian well water is another type of similar water classification by the Food and Drug Administration. Underground water that doesn’t rise to the surface is considered artesian well water. It’s also fancy name for your basic well water that many households have. Again, a wide variation of the content of the water as far as minerals and dissolved solids go—and potential toxins in the water. It all depends on the source of the water.

A good, deep well that has a water source that has been filtered through layers of hard rock will be full of minerals and quite pure. So even well water at your home can have the potential of being as good or better than what you pay top dollar for in a store.

Author’s note: I live up in the Rocky Mountains near a small town in Colorado. We just recently had a well put in that is over 300ft. deep through solid granite and quartz. It is pure, delicious and full of healthy minerals from the rock and quartz.

Bottom Line: Because spring water and artesian well water can contain varying levels of minerals and electrolytes, this type of water can be good for your health and quench your thirst. Again, check the source and whether the water has been tested for any toxins.

Examples: Icelandic Glacial Spring Water, Mountain Valley, Evian, Acqua Panna, Ice Mountain, Rocky Mountain Spring Water, Poland Spring, JUST Water. Artesian water examples include Voss, Fiji, Whistler Glacial, Kopu, and Hawaiian Springs.

Purified Drinking Water

Purified drinking water can come from a variety of water sources; it is just purified through a process called ‘reverse osmosis’. Purified water can even be your basic tap water run through the RO process.

Reverse Osmosis works by using a high pressure pump to force the water across the semi-permeable RO membrane, removing approximately 95-99% of the dissolved salts, particles, colloids, organics, bacteria and other pathogens. It’s important to note, however that an RO system should not be relied upon to remove 100% of bacteria or viruses—especially since viruses are very small.

RO removes magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium as well, so unless those important electrolytes and minerals are added back in during the bottling process, drinking RO water on a regular basis can actually leach a small amount of minerals from the body. RO water is also slightly acidic. Prolonged consumption of reverse osmosis water can have adverse health effects such as increasing the risk of kidney disorders and gastrointestinal troubles.

Many bottled water companies using RO method will re-mineralize the water, adding back in magnesium, potassium, and salt.

Bottom Line: Bottled purified water is fine to drink, especially if it has added minerals and electrolytes, but keep in mind, it’s usually nothing fancy and can come from just your basic municipal tap water source.

Examples: Dasani, Aquafina, and Nestle Pure Life, Poland Spring water.

Distilled Water

Distilled water is one of the purest forms of water. Water is boiled and turned into a steam then converted into water again. Once the water converts from a liquid into a gas, the heavier minerals and other solids are left behind. The water particles are condensed back into a pure, clean liquid state with nothing else in it.

Because there is nothing else in it, distilled water has a very flat taste and does not provide you with any healthy minerals or electrolytes. Distilled water is very pure, but since it does not contain minerals, it can actually pull small amounts from your body like your bones and teeth, if you drink it frequently. However, if you are eating a healthy diet, full of vitamins and minerals, drinking distilled water won’t really affect your health negatively.

Keep in mind, distilled water will have a tendency to leach chemicals or minerals from any container it is in, so if you are drinking distilled water from a plastic jug, it’s highly likely it has absorbed some of the chemicals from the plastic container.

Some bottled water companies distill their water and then replenish the minerals and electrolytes during the bottling process.

Depending on the tap water where you live, however, distilled water could be better for you than tap water which may contain chemicals, lead, mercury, pesticides and even tiny pathogens.

Distilled water works well for things like steam irons, your car’s cooling system, your fish tank, and certain medical devices like CPAP machines that can get clogged up with minerals from tap water and other types of water.

Bottom Line: Distilled water is not a great choice of water to drink, but may be better than some tap waters which can include contaminants like fluoride, chlorine and may contain other chemicals and toxic substances. Some distilled drinking water has some of the minerals and electrolytes put back in, making it healthier to drink than plain distilled water.

Examples: Glaceau Purfied Smartwater, Arrowhead Distilled Water, Nestle Distilled Water, Arrowhead Springs Distilled Water, Eldorado Distilled Water, Poland Springs, Ozarka

That’s a summary of the most popular water types. New ones come out every day—like probiotic water, antioxidant water, protein water, caffeinated water, and flavored waters. All of these may come from a variety of sources and purifying methods.

As in everything else that you put in your body—read the label and find out how your water is processed. It’s important to always check the source of your bottled water as well.

Consider too, the type of container it comes in. Since water is actually a solvent, water from plastic water bottles is probably leaching some of those not so healthy chemicals from the plastic—chemicals which can be xenoestrogens and disrupt your endocrine system. Choose glass if you can and if it’s practical.

And remember, it’s not necessary to pay top dollar for H20. Just because it comes from a fancy, far-away source, doesn’t make it better. Your tap water that comes out of your well may be just as good.

Skol!

References
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/alkaline-water/faq-20058029
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/the-alkaline-diet-myth#what-it-is
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/mineral-water-benefits#drawbacks
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/carbonated-water-good-or-bad
https://www.absopure.com/blog/difference-between-spring-water-and-purified-water/
https://puretecwater.com/reverse-osmosis/what-is-reverse-osmosis

The post Water: Alkaline Water vs. Mineral Water vs. Spring Water vs. Distilled Water appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

By: Cat Ebeling, RN, MSN-PHN, co-author of the best-sellers:  The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix

Most people would be surprised to hear that oral health is very closely tied to overall health. But it’s absolutely true. Research shows that oral health has a far greater impact on many serious health conditions than you may realize. Making sure your teeth and gums are healthy will actually go a long ways towards helping you prevent diseases like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and dementia. If you neglect your mouth, you can be setting yourself up for major health issues that can actually shorten your life.

The Mouth Has its Own Microbiome

Much has been said about the digestive system’s microbiome. But guess what? The digestive system begins in our mouths. And our mouths also contain hundreds—if not thousands—of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and other small critters. While the health of your gut flora has been proven to play a very important role in your health, it has become increasingly apparent the health of your mouth flora is also vital to your health.

In people with a healthy oral cavity, the tiny bacteria and other micro-organisms in the mouth actually play a role in the digestion of food. These little micro-organisms also play a role in the immune function, warding off dangerous pathogens that could invade your body. The oral microbiome also helps to protect the teeth from those invaders that can cause cavities and gum disease.

When oral care is lacking, and diet is off, the bad bacteria in the mouth can quickly multiply to combine with any sugars or starches and attack the teeth. This can result in cavities, gum disease, tooth decay, periodontitis and other infections. These infections can easily spread to other parts of the body.

While Americans seem to prize big, white, dazzling smiles, our actual dental health is pretty bad. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that 91% of adults had cavities. Almost a third of all adult Americans have some type of tooth or gum issue going untreated. A whopping 64.7 million American adults have periodontal disease, an inflammatory bacterial disease of the gums, and for Americans who are 65+ years old, the number of them who have tooth and gum issues is 65%.

Why is our oral health so bad? It’s actually pretty simple—it’s diet. Diets high in sugar, processed grains and carbohydrates, combined with acidic, sugary drinks just eat away at our teeth and ruin our oral health. Even vegan diets high in carbs, fruit and grains can cause serious oral health issues.

Certain inflammatory digestive problems like gluten intolerance has been shown to cause serious damage to the teeth and gums as well. One study on this shows a direct correlation between celiac disease in children and enamel degradation, along with increased incidence of cavities. It’s hard to say whether this is due to the problems with malabsorption of minerals, or the increased inflammation that goes with gluten intolerance. My guess is that it is probably both. Likewise, a similar effect can be expected for those suffering from other inflammatory gut diseases and disorders, including IBS, Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.

So, it’s not only WHAT we put in our mouths that comes into contact with our teeth, but the food and nutrients that we put into our bodies that also affects the health of our teeth, gums and oral cavity.

Let’s take a look at some of the more common and serious health problems caused by bad oral health:

Heart Disease and Strokes

Most people would never make the connection, but poor oral health increases the risk for heart disease and strokes. Bacteria that causes gum disease can get into the bloodstream, along with plaque from the teeth and cause inflammation, blood clots and narrowed blood vessels. The damaging effect on the blood vessels can also lead to hypertension and strokes. In addition, colonies of bacteria can attack and infect the inner lining of the heart causing a serious condition called “endocarditis”.

Diabetes

Diabetics generally have a much higher risk of developing sores and infections. This includes the gums and teeth. With the addition of gum disease, symptoms of diabetes can worsen and it can become increasingly difficult to manage blood sugar levels. It becomes especially important for diabetics to take exceptionally good care of their teeth and gum. In addition, because gum disease leads to higher than normal blood sugar levels, a person with poor oral health is at an increased risk of developing diabetes.

Erectile Dysfunction

Yes, really! Poor oral hygiene, gum disease and cavities all put men at increased risk for ED. Chronic gum disease is actually known to have a direct tie to problems with ED. When bacteria from diseased gums get into the bloodstream it inflames blood vessels. When inflammation is present it can block blood flow to essential areas, including the genitals, making erections difficult or impossible.

Cancer

Tooth and gum disease increase the risk of a variety of cancers including, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, and cancers of the blood. Evidence shows chronic infection and inflammation are associated with increased risk of cancer development. There is also a strong connection between bacterial and viral infections and cancer cell growth.

Obviously, poor oral health practices such as smoking or using tobacco products can lead to oral and throat cancers, but other types of cancer have also been linked to gum disease as well.

Respiratory Infections and Lowered Immune Function

When bacteria and harmful pathogens residing in the mouth are inhaled into the lungs, or travel there through the bloodstream, there is definite elevated risk of respiratory infections, including severe Covid-19, pneumonia, acute bronchitis, and even COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). What’s more, infection and inflammation in the mouth lowers immune function even more, making it even harder to fight off these serious respiratory infections, making them potentially deadly.

Dementia

Poor oral health can have very negative effects on the brain. Substances released from inflamed gums can actually kill brain cells and lead to memory loss. Dementia and possibly even Alzheimer’s disease can result from the inflammation and infection from gum disease, when bacteria in the mouth is absorbed into the bloodstream.

In addition to the above serious health issues and diseases, poor oral health can also lead to:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Infertility
• Pregnancy problems
• Kidney disease
• Fibromyalgia
• Asthma
• Autoimmune disease

How to Protect Your Oral Health

First off, be sure to visit a dentist a minimum of once a year for a regular checkup and cleaning. They can inspect your gums and slow down any potential for gum disease or tooth decay. Be sure to brush often and floss daily.

Change your diet. Studies have shown a definite connection between a highly processed, high sugar diet and oral disease. Sugar and starches stick to the teeth and raise the acidity in the mouth, creating a perfect place for bad bacteria to multiply and do their damage.

A low carb, Paleo or ketogenic diet helps to lower carbs, reduce any sugars in the mouth, and protect the gums and teeth from infection. In addition, a healthy, balanced diet full of antioxidant rich vegetables, naturally raised meats and absent of starchy grains and sugar, is healthy for the whole body.

Protecting your oral health is exactly the same as looking after your overall health and wellbeing.
Eat well, get plenty of sleep, get outside and get lots of sunshine and vitamin D, exercise, and reduce stress.

Did you know that this…

60-Sec bedtime ritual rebuilds your teeth and gums overnight (Users say it’s better than implants)

Doctors still can’t believe their eyes…

Every person who did this 60-second trick before going to bed, experienced a dramatic rejuvenation of their gums, rebuilt their teeth…

And even got rid of bad breath and ugly spots…

No matter how advanced their tooth decay was…

And all they had to do is mix 2 dirt-cheap ingredients.

Some of them even claim they’ll never have to go to the dentist again after this…

See here the breakthrough method that’s making dental implants absolutely useless.

References:
https://www.marksdailyapple.com/how-your-oral-biome-influences-your-overall-health/
https://www.marksdailyapple.com/oral-health-what-you-eat-and-dont-eat-counts/
https://www.123dentist.com/how-your-oral-health-can-impact-your-overall-health/
https://www.absolutedental.com/blog/10-health-issues-caused-by-bad-oral-health/

The post Oral Health Linked to Heart Attacks, Strokes, Dementia and Cancer appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

Today’s blog is republished from my friends at TheAlternativeDaily, a leading publisher of daily alternative health tips that I personally read every day…

Many of you may have been using baking soda around your home for years without ever even knowing what it is. We did a little digging to uncover the mystery.

It turns out that sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) is a chemical salt that, in its natural form, is the mineral nahcolite. Baking soda can react as both an acid and a base, although in an aqueous solution it is a bit on the alkaline side.

Pure nahcolite is found in abundance in the Green River Basin, which cuts through several states in the central part of our country.

Sodium bicarbonate helps to regulate pH and keep it steady – a process known as buffering. It keeps substances from being too acidic or too alkaline. Its ability to neutralize the pH of any substance it comes in contact with makes it highly effective for so many things.

Now, you may know about all the amazing ways you can use baking soda around your home such as:

– Cleaning coffee makers
– Cleaning drains
– Ridding hair of buildup
– Polishing silver
– Septic care
– Making toothpaste
– Making deodorant
– Cleaning brushes and combs
– Refreshing your fridge
– Easing itching and swelling
– Putting out a grease fire
– Breaking down ice on a sidewalk or driveway

But… did you know that drinking baking soda can be very healthy for you? Yes, it’s true, drinking something as simple as baking soda can drastically improve your health. What is even more amazing is that when you combine baking soda with other powerful ingredients, the healing powers are supercharged.

The only caution we have is that you stick to an aluminum-free brand of baking soda whenever possible.

Here are three of our favorite healthy baking soda tonics:

Ultimate energy booster and electrolyte replacer

Do you know that nagging, dragging feeling you get when you are about halfway through your 5-run, or partway through that spin class? The feeling like you can’t push your body one bit more?

Well, we have great news for you: this ultimate energy booster tonic will not only help motivate you to get moving, it will also help you go harder for longer no matter what physical activity you are doing.

This is because strenuous exercise leads to a buildup of lactic acid – which can cause muscle pain and fatigue. Baking soda has been found to boost performance in athletes due to its ability to neutralize lactic acid buildup.

Ingredients:

– ½ teaspoon unprocessed sea salt
– ¼ teaspoon baking soda
– 7 cups coconut water
– ½ cup lemon juice
– ¼ cup raw honey

Instructions:

1. Heat the coconut water on low and mix in baking soda until it is dissolved.
2. Add other ingredients and pour mixture into glass jar.
3. Shake well before use.
4. This will keep for a week in the refrigerator.

Coconut water: Although coconut water has a deceptively light consistency, it has higher levels of minerals such as iron, magnesium, manganese, calcium and zinc than many fruits, including the famously healthy orange. Additionally, coconut water has high amounts of B-vitamins, such as niacin, thiamin, riboflavin and pyridoxine.

One of the best benefits of coconut water is that it is extremely high in potassium. As your body sweats during exercise or vigorous physical activity, your level of potassium drops. Coconut water has approximately 250 milligrams of potassium and 105 milligrams of sodium in every 100 milliliter serving.

Raw honey: One of the substantial benefits of choosing raw organic honey from your area is that it contains immune stimulating properties from the area where the bees collected pollen. This means that it can actually help to desensitize you to local allergens, potentially lessening your allergy symptoms.

The supercharged acid reflux reliever

Because acid reflux typically results from having too little acid in your stomach, you can help improve this by mixing 2 tablespoons of raw, unfiltered, apple cider vinegar into a 6 to 8 ounce glass of water.

Adding ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to this mixture will further help neutralize your internal fire. Be prepared, however: this mixture will foam – so wait for it to slow down before you drink it.

Green tea and baking soda metabolism booster

A recent study out of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences found that drinking green tea regularly can boost the effects of exercise to aid weight loss efforts. The study was conducted on mice that were fed a diet with high amounts of fat, exercised regularly, and given green tea extract. The mice showed an average body mass reduction of 27.1 percent and an average abdominal mass reduction of 36.6 percent.

There are three compounds in green tea that are thought to help promote weight loss: catechins, theanine and caffeine. These substances work together to block enzymes that are responsible for fat storage in the body.

When you combine the super-metabolizing powers of green tea with baking soda, you rev up your fat burning power while encouraging optimal pH ( 7.2) in the body. This is necessary for balance.

A pH factor that is not optimal will cause excess acid to be stored in fat cells. An acidic person can’t burn fat well, because doing so would release the acid that is stored in body fat – and this would throw the blood pH out of whack. If your pH is not balanced, you may also feel fatigued and ill.

Choose organic green tea and add ¼ teaspoon of baking soda to an 8 ounce cup before drinking. Enjoy daily.

Speaking of baking soda…

My friend Susan Patterson wrote an entire book called The Baking Soda Secret, and she wants to ship it to you for FREE!

* How to use Baking Soda as a natural replacement for many products currently in your home like deodorant, toothpaste and even cleaning products.

* The exact recipe she uses to make healthy, energy-filled meals.

* How to soothe skin irritated by eczema, bug bites, bee stings and more.

* A powerful flu-fighting tonic that can help banish symptoms in hours.

* Countless beauty hacks including a hair rinse, face mask, and dark spot remover.

All of this and so much more!

But, like I said, you have to hurry because she only has a handful of these left and if you don’t confirm your address your book will be sent to another lucky individual who will immediately start improving their physical, mental and home health with Baking Soda!

Click here to Claim your FREE Book Now (need shipping address)

The post 3 Ways to Drink Baking Soda for Better Health appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

Today’s blog is republished from my friends at TheAlternativeDaily, a leading publisher of daily alternative health tips that I personally read every day…

By Katherine Marko, TheAlternativeDaily.com

Even the best “high quality” dark roasts can make an acidic cup of coffee, though cheaper blends are notorious for being overly acidic. And acid can be hard on a sensitive stomach, particularly if you enjoy more than one cup of coffee a day. So how does baking soda improve an acidic cup of Joe?

Even the best coffee beans produce acid

Beyond using it as a natural cleaning agent to remove stains for your coffee pot, some believe that baking soda can actually improve the taste of coffee. It’s no secret that coffee can be a tad acidic. But for many, giving up their morning cup of coffee is not an option. And truthfully, with science continuing to study coffee and the many benefits it provides, it’s easy to see why coffee lovers would never want to give up their morning cup of brew. Yet, if drinking coffee is contributing to excess stomach acid and causing you digestive upset, then you’re probably thinking you’d be better off without. Think again.

According to Harvard Health, coffee drinking is associated with a lower risk of depression among women, a lower risk of fatal prostate cancer among men, and a lower risk of stroke among both men and women. Human and animal studies show some protection against Alzheimer’s disease and a lower risk for some cancers like estrogen-negative breast cancer.

Coffee is fairly acidic on a pH scale

Acidity is something that’s measured on the pH scale, which uses 7.0 as an indicator of neutrality. So, numbers under seven as are naturally more acidic than numbers above seven. For instance, according to Science Buddies, battery acid is zero. Clearly, that’s highly acidic. Lemon juice registers at about two, and black coffee registers at a pH of about five. But rather than kicking your “acidic” coffee habit — and there are clearly good reasons to keep drinking coffee — why not neutralize the acid in your brew?

Helps neutralize an acidic cup of coffee

In water, baking soda is mildly alkaline and can be used to neutralize acid. That’s why, when it dissolves in water, it works well as a natural antacid remedy. Its alkalinity is also why it makes a great deodorizer — by countering slightly acidic scent molecules. On the pH scale baking soda registers as a nine.

That means by simply adding a little baking soda to your coffee you could neutralize the acid to avoid stomach upset. There’s two way you can do that. You can add about a quarter teaspoon to your coffee beans for a pot of coffee, or you can add just a pinch (small pinch) to your cup of coffee.

Helps acid reflux or GERD

Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee exacerbate gastroesophageal reflux according to a German study. However, coffee creates more reflux than simply caffeine added to water. This suggests that other components of coffee contribute to acid reflux. A small pinch of baking soda can help counteract acid reflux.

May help relieve gout

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation. It develops in some people who have high levels of uric acid in the blood. The acid can form painful needle-like crystals in a joint and cause severe episodes of pain, tenderness, redness, warmth and swelling.

Due to baking soda’s pH neutralizing effects, it may help lower uric acid levels. According to GoutDiet.org baking soda introduced to the blood alkalinizes it, causing the uric acid structures to break up. Then, they can easily filter out the kidneys and expel through the urine. Add a pinch to your coffee or more as needed.

If you suffer from ulcers, baking soda can help

Since baking soda neutralizes stomach acid, it can help make coffee drinking more bearable if you suffer from a stomach ulcer. Add a quarter to a half teaspoon to your coffee grounds.

Let’s break down baking soda

While most of us often keep a box baking soda in the house for baking, as a deodorizer for the fridge, or as a natural cleaning alternative (and now for neutralizing acidic coffee), some still aren’t sure what exactly baking soda is. So, let’s break it down.

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a chemical salt that occurs naturally as the mineral nahcolite. This is a soft, colorless or white carbonate mineral. Nahcolite was first described in 1928 when it was found in a lava tunnel at Mount Vesuvius, Italy. NaHCO3, as it’s known chemically, contains sodium (NA), hydrogen (H) and carbonate (CO).

Baking soda in North America

So, where does America get its baking soda from? Well, most baking soda in the U.S. comes from Green River, Wyoming. According to Arm & Hammer, the baking soda from Green River is mined from trona ore. Trona deposits were molded over four million years ago after the evaporation of great salt lakes in Wyoming. Trona also comes from Kenya, Egypt, Venezuela and the deserts of Central Asia. After it’s mined, it’s heated to make soda ash, which is then dissolved in water. When carbon dioxide bubbles under pressure through the solution, sodium bicarbonate is formed.

Side effects of baking soda

Now that you know all about baking soda, let’s talk about how to use it properly. Although larger quantities of baking soda have been used to remedy indigestion, in much the same way antacids are used, you can still go overboard and risk side effects. Drinking baking soda is like drinking salt water. It’s extremely high in sodium and will raise your blood pressure. And too much sodium is linked to kidney and heart issues in healthy people.

And of course, too much baking soda in your coffee can leave you with a less than tasty cup that leaves you with a soapy taste in your mouth. Generally, to reduce the acidic nature of coffee, just a small pinch is all you need. Enjoy!

Speaking of baking soda…

My friend Susan Patterson wrote an entire book called The Baking Soda Secret, and she wants to ship it to you for FREE!

* How to use Baking Soda as a natural replacement for many products currently in your home like deodorant, toothpaste and even cleaning products.

* The exact recipe she uses to make healthy, energy-filled meals.

* How to soothe skin irritated by eczema, bug bites, bee stings and more.

* A powerful flu-fighting tonic that can help banish symptoms in hours.

* Countless beauty hacks including a hair rinse, face mask, and dark spot remover.

All of this and so much more!

But, like I said, you have to hurry because she only has a handful of these left and if you don’t confirm your address your book will be sent to another lucky individual who will immediately start improving their physical, mental and home health with Baking Soda!

Click here to Claim your FREE Book Now (need shipping address)

The Death of Black Coffee:

Latest studies have found that 1 tiny tweak to your morning coffee puts your body into fat-burn ing mode for the rest of the day.

This coffee trick takes less than 10 seconds…

Yet, it instantly ignites your metabolism and boosts your health, energy and well-being at the same time!

Here’s to an amazing start to your day 🙂

====> Try This 10 Sec Fat-Burning Coffee Trick!

The post 4 Benefits Of Adding Baking Soda To Your Coffee appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.