Alkaline Water vs Milk: Which is better for you?

Alkaline Water and Milk both contain Essential Minerals

Mainstream medical experts commonly recommend milk as a source of essential dietary minerals, especially to women over 30 that are at risk for osteoporosis. Despite this recommendation, the US currently has the highest rate of osteoporosis in the world. Compare this statistic with Japan, which enjoys one of the lowest rates of osteoporosis in the world. What are the Japanese doing right? Besides eating better than Americans, they also drink alkaline water. Alkaline water and milk both contain essential minerals needed to maintain healthy bones, but which one is the better source of those nutrients?

What are the Advantages of Drinking Milk?

One cup of 1% milk supplies approximately 300mg of calcium, 27mg of magnesium, 8g of protein and just over 100 calories. The average adult needs about 1000 mg or more per day of calcium, and about 350 mg of magnesium. Milk also contains vitamin D, which helps with calcium absorption. These nutrient levels are why mainstream medical experts recommend drinking milk for healthy bones.

What are the Disadvantages of Drinking Milk?

Unfortunately milk has a few problems, some people are lactose-intolerant, and so they may not be able to use milk as a source of nutrients. Others choose not to drink milk because of some of its other not-so-healthy ingredients:

• Added Hormones – Can affect human hormones
• Pesticide Contamination – Pesticides used on cattle feed find their way into milk
• Lactose – A highly acidic sugar that interferes with our ability to absorb calcium and magnesium
• Additives/Preservatives – Added to milk to keep it fresh

A hormone used on Holstein cows to keep them in a constant state of lactation is called histidine, which some studies suggest may contribute to higher chances of cardiovascular problems and other diseases. Pesticides used on cattle feed are routinely being found in humans where they build up in the body’s tissues. Lactose may be the biggest problem milk has, because it is acidic, it binds to calcium and magnesium in the stomach. This binding effect can reduce the amount of calcium and magnesium you get from milk. There are the additives and preservatives that are used in milk which many people on healthy diets wish to avoid.

Lastly, it is worth mentioning that the milking process used by large industrial farms is cruel. Milking machines are not gentle on cows. Many people, such as vegans, choose not to drink milk because of the inhumane methods used to extract it. The production of milk also has a significant impact on the planet.

What are the Advantages of Alkaline Water?

There are no known allergies to alkaline water, as a matter of fact, you can’t survive without it! Alkaline water contains calcium and magnesium, as well as other essential dietary minerals. Studies show that those minerals are 30% easier absorbed by the body than food-based minerals, alkaline water can even help people whose bodies have a harder time absorbing minerals due to health conditions. There are no added hormones, preservatives, or other chemicals. The process used to make alkaline water – called electrodialysis – concentrates healthy minerals in water and rejects unhealthy ones, so every glass of water you drink has the minerals you need in your daily diet.

Best of all, alkaline water is cruelty-free! Drinking alkaline water from your own machine reduces the demand for plastic bottles and uses very little energy. Alkaline water is probably the most eco-friendly way for you to add minerals to your diet!

What are the Disadvantages of Alkaline Water?

A glass of alkaline water will have smaller quantities of minerals in it than a glass of milk, but this may actually be an advantage of alkaline water! The body only absorbs small quantities of minerals at a time, so you may not be getting all of the minerals in a glass of milk anyways. Studies show that the body does get useful amounts of minerals from alkaline water. Alkaline water doesn’t have any vitamin D in it, so you will have to get that elsewhere.

And the Winner is …

Alkaline water! Here is a summary of the reasons alkaline water beats milk as a source of minerals:

• Chemical and hormone free!
• Minerals are absorbed easier in the body
• Lactose free – Very important if you’re lactose intolerant
• Cruelty free – No cows are harmed in the making of this water put a cow with a smile here
• Better for the environment – Much smaller footprint than milk

The fact that alkaline water is chemical free is great, but it gets even better… Alkaline water can actually help the body detoxify and rid itself of the toxins put there by foods like milk!

Why are minerals in alkaline water more easily absorbed? There are a couple of explanations: When alkaline water is ionized, it is easier to absorb at the cellular level, this improves mineral uptake and hydration. This increased absorption also facilitates the detoxification process, helping the body rid itself of all water soluble toxins.

Find out more about alkaline water and ionizers by calling us today at 877-959-7977. Cows everywhere will thank you!

Has the FDA compared alkaline water to milk?

Not yet. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  The preceding information and/or products are for educational purposes only and are not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or treat illness. Please consult your doctor before making any changes or before starting ANY exercise or nutritional supplement program or before using this information or any product during pregnancy or if you have a serious medical condition.

References

Marangella, M, and et al. “Effects of mineral composition of drinking water on risk for stone formation and bone metabolism in idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis.” Renal Stone and Nuclear Medicine Laboratories, Ospedale Mauriziano Umberto I, Torino, Italy. Web. 8 Jul 2013.

Wynn, E, M.A. Krieg, J.M. Aeschlimann, and P Burckhardt. “Alkaline mineral water lowers bone resorption even in calcium sufficiency: alkaline mineral water and bone metabolism.” Bone. Elsevier, 27 Oct 2008. Web. 8 Jul 2013. <http://www.thebonejournal.com/article/S8756-3282(08)00781-3/abstract>.

“What I need to know about Lactose Intolerance.” National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse. N.p., 10 May 2012. Web. 9 Jul 2013. <http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/lactoseintolerance_ez/>.