Reviewed by Dr. Susan Brown, PhD
As you do your best to stay hydrated this summer, you might want to switch up your fluid intake by trying alkaline water, aka water with a pH above 8 that is believed to bring additional hydration benefits. Walk down the water aisle in the grocery store and you’ll see lots of pricey bottles of alkaline water. Save your money! You can make homemade alkaline water for pennies and it tastes great too.
Homemade Alkaline Water
Ingredients
1 quart water (filtered or spring water preferred)
1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt or Himalayan pink salt
Directions
Fill large glass pitcher or quart-sized glass mason jar with water. Cut lemon in half. Using a strainer to catch seeds, squeeze the juice from one half of the lemon and add to water. Cut other half of the lemon into slices, and add to water. Add sea salt. Stir until salt is dissolved. Depending on preferred drinking temperature, leave water at room temperature or refrigerate for 2-4 hours to allow lemon to infuse water.
Why are we using lemons? Lemons contain lots of citric acid and, although they taste acidic, actually have an alkalizing effect on the body. And that’s not all! Here are other benefits of drinking lemon-based alkaline water:
• Lemons are strongly antibacterial and antiviral (known for centuries as an antidote to a variety of poisons).
• Lemons are high in antioxidants such as Vitamin C and can boost immunity.
• Lemons both stimulate and detoxify the liver.
• Lemons contain “limonene” a terpene oil nutrient which is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent.
To keep this recipe fresh, add mint sprigs or even a 1/4 cup of fresh blueberry (muddle to release blueberry juice). Hydrating alkaline water has never been so easy, cheap or tasty!
