In Japan, purified water is sacred—used in tea ceremonies and served at temples. In Los Angeles, alkaline water is practically a status symbol, carried in glass bottles by yoga instructors and tech founders.
Your own kitchen tap likely holds purified water if you have a reverse osmosis filter under the sink. That’s the most eco-friendly option, saving you from single-use plastic and giving you control.
Little known fact: The pH of bottled water varies wildly. One study found “purified” brands ranging from 5.5 to 7.5. So unless you test it, your “neutral” water might be slightly acidic.
If you’re sensitive to taste, try a blindfold test at home. Pour purified and alkaline water into identical cups. You might be shocked at which one you prefer—or realize you can’t tell the difference at all.