4 Alternatives to Kangen Water: Drink Your Way to Health
Published October 6, 2024.
Kangen Water, derived from the Japanese word for "return to origin," is an alkaline, antioxidant-rich, and micro-clustering water promoted for its potential health benefits, a lighter taste, no odor compared to tap water, and pleasantly sweet flavor. Nowadays this kind of water is created by passing tap water through a water filtration and ionization machine to separate it into alkaline and acidic streams, applying an electrical charge to the tap water. But why is body alkalinity so important? This lies in its impact on pH levels and various physiological functions such as cellular operations, bone health, immune system support, inflammation reduction, and digestive health.
So, is Kangen Water good for you? The benefits of Kangen Water include balancing the body's pH levels, antioxidant properties, better hydration, and potentially improving overall well-being. However, a possible disadvantage of Kangen Water could be the plastic bottles it comes in since bottled water may include microplastics and potentially harmful chemicals like BPA.
4 Alternatives to Kangen Water
There are several alternatives to Kangen water, each with unique characteristics:
- Structured Water
- Mineral Water
- Spring Water
- Brita Water
While these alternatives can provide slightly alkaline water, they may not match the alkalinity level of Kangen Water produced by a water ionizer. However, they offer many other health benefits.
1. Structured Water
So what is structured water? Known as magnetized water, structured water is claimed to have a unique hexagonal cluster structure, adducing that it is healthier than regular tap or filtered water. This kind of water is presumably found naturally in untouched sources, such as mountain springs and glacier melt.
Structured water offers pure water, free of chemicals. Some other benefits of structured water include:
- Deep cellular hydration
- Helps strengthen immunity
- Easily absorbed into the body
- Increased energy
- Improved concentration and memory
- Weight management
- Better sleep
Some methods proposed to make structured water are vortexing, ultraviolet or infrared light exposure, using natural heat and energy (sunlight), and storing it in gemstone water bottles. You can also try an alternative to Brita water filters, namely Mayu Water's Mayu Swirl, an aeration carafe, which converts your tap water into pure water without hassle.
Mayu Water also offers Essential Mineral Drops filled with nutrients and minerals to boost your immune system, such as magnesium, chloride, low sodium, and organic ionic trace minerals.
2. Mineral Water
Mineral water from natural springs contains minerals such as calcium carbonate, magnesium sulfate, potassium, and sodium sulfate, as well as gases like carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. This water is usually processed through a filtration method that adds these minerals and some salts to it. Taste can vary based on these additions and the water source, resulting in either a salty or sweet flavor.
Drinking mineral water is associated with several health benefits due to the carbonation and mineral content, such as:
- Heart health
- Lowering blood pressure
- Relieving constipation symptoms
Highly carbonated mineral water can also lead to an upset stomach and excessive water intake can cause water intoxication, so it should not be consumed in extreme amounts. The mineral content in different types of mineral water varies widely. Therefore, there is no specific recommended daily amount, but guidelines exist for calcium and magnesium intake.
3. Spring Water
Spring water is often purified from a spring source, or a borehole tapping from a well underground, and plays a crucial role in aiding bodily functions. Having access to pure, naturally filtered, and mineral-rich drinking water offers exceptional health benefits compared to tap or bottled water, which may contain undesirable substances. Spring water is free of heavy metals and differs from regular drinking water due to its "spring purity."
Minerals in spring water include magnesium, sodium, potassium, and calcium, which help with:
- Heart health
- Blood pressure regulation
- Kidney activity
- Bone growth
- pH balance
» Bottled spring water vs. filtered tap water? Find out which is better
4. Brita Water
Brita water is a well-known brand of water filtration products. Their filters are designed to enhance the taste and quality of tap water by reducing impurities, such as chlorine, lead, asbestos, benzene, limescale build-up, and other contaminants.
The filtration system typically includes a pitcher or dispenser with a filter cartridge containing activated carbon and ion-exchange resin. Activated carbon absorbs chlorine and organic compounds, improving taste and odor, while ion-exchange resin helps remove heavy metals and potentially harmful substances. The cleaner water you get out of it is drinking-safe and believed to boost energy.
» Learn about the healthiest types of water to drink
Hydrate The Healthy Way
Kangen Water's alkaline-focused water, created through ionization can improve physiological functions related to body alkalinity and pH levels. While it has advantages, caution is advised regarding the consumption of mineral water from plastic bottles due to the risk of microplastics. While some opt for bottled water to avoid tap water chemicals, bottled water's quality remains uncertain because of undisclosed sources and misleading claims.
Luckily, there are a range of alternatives you can try instead, each with their own benefits. From Brita water filters to fresh, natural spring water, you have options based on your health concerns and preferences. Plus, with structured water, you can enjoy aerated water without any hassle. Mayu Water's Mayu Swirl can help you achieve this so you can quench your thirst and reap taste-enhancing and health benefits in no time.
