Alkaline water is the latest go-to supplement for athletes and health-conscious individuals seeking an edge to perform at optimal levels. Although research on the topic is new and ongoing, alkaline water — water having a pH level above 7, opposed to a range of between 6 and 8 for normal tap water — is touted for its ability to help treat acne, reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, reduce acid reflux, and even diabetes.
Pro athletes and celebrities have been quick to hop on the alkaline water train. Mark Wahlberg, Rick Ross, Tom Brady, LeBron James, and UFC star Miranda Maverick (pictured above) have all weaved alkaline water into their health regimens.
These high-profile endorsements have helped boost projections for the functional water market to grow past an estimated $18 billion by 2025, as major brands such as Northern Chill, a title sponsor of this year’s Joe Weider’s Olympia and Fitness Weekend in December, have seen a spike in numbers due to its increasing popularity.
Critics have cited the need for more research to prove alkaline water’s efficiency or to aid or prevent illness, but there already exists numerous studies that come to the same conclusion — it’s a great tool to add to your fitness arsenal.
A 2018 study in the journal PLoS One, for example, gives credit to alkaline water’s effectiveness as a hydration tool for anaerobic-type athletics such as MMA athletes. The study concluded that consuming alkalized water — it recommended 3 to 4 liters daily — will improve hydration, acid-base balance, and high-intensity anaerobic exercise performance, especially among combat athletes.
More importantly, alkalized water will help to reduce the buildup of lactic acid into the bloodstream. Lactic acid buildup results in exercise-induced acidosis, or muscle soreness, because the blood has become too acidic. By drinking an alkaline substance, you balance the pH of your blood and put a stop to muscle soreness.
While there maybe plenty of alkaline waters on the market, most are ionized — meaning they achieve an alkalized state through a process called “electrolysis,” which separates the water into acidic and alkaline components. Northern Chill, on the other hand, is naturally alkaline because it’s sourced from an alkaline mineral spring in Polar, WI.
We all know that there’s no such thing as a miracle product that will have an immediate impact on your overall fitness or snuff out your bad habits. That being said, using proven supplements consistently and as part of a calculated plan to aid or overhaul your health and hydration efforts can produce positive results, and that’s exactly what Northern Chill can do for you.
