Alkaline water has been trending in my life these last few weeks. I first looked into it because it was a crucial ingredient in creating the golden skin of homemade mooncakes. This launched a whole discussion between DH and I over why alkaline water is such a big deal and why some people choose to drink it over just regular tap water.

Later on that evening, we went to check out a new Japanese ramen restaurant, from a popular chain in Japan, that serves complimentary alkaline water to customers and cooks its ramen broth with alkaline water.  DH claimed that he felt the broth had a “cleaner” taste from the alkaline water cooking method.

Then I was contacted and offered a few complimentary bottles of Evamor’s natural alkaline water to taste and play with. I was pretty happy with the offer, especially since it came with a giveaway for my readers to try it too.

Based on my internet research, Alkaline water goes through an ionization process. It has a higher pH level than plain water.  There are a lot of claims and studies about the health benefits of alkaline water. For example, it is believed that the high pH level neutralizes the acid in your bloodstream, boosts your metabolisms, increases oxygen, hydrates the body better, prevents many diseases, etc.  It’s one of those things though, where the claims are by independent studies, so you do have to try it for yourself and find out your own results.

Evamor’s water has a pH level of 8.8. One thing I found most intriguing from the product information I received was their studies that it prevents acid reflux and alleviates heart burn. I suffered from acid reflux for quite a few years and wish I had been able to try this solution back then to test it out.

I thought I’d have some fun with the water. First, a blind taste test of Evamor versus regular filtered water. DH and I both played.

I’d never had a problem with filtered tap water, but tasting it side by side with the alkaline water and you could definitely taste a difference. The alkaline water tasted cleaner and more pure and the filtered tap water suddenly became hard to swallow.

I tried again with a bottled spring water versus Alkaline. While the bottled water tasted better than the filtered tap water, it still didn’t taste nearly as clean as the alkaline water and we were both able to distinguish which was which.

Next, I cooked with both, making a light chicken broth soup. Again, the alkaline water broth had a much cleaner taste.

While I haven’t been drinking alkaline water long enough to decide for myself whether any of the health claims are true, it’s been fun being introduced into the world of alkaline water.

Now onto the giveaway. One lucky reader will receive a case of Evamor alkaline water to try. The winner will also receive a copy of Dropping Acid: The Reflux Diet Cookbook & Cure by Dr. Koufman which contains 75 recipes, specifically geared for those who suffer from acid reflux.  Please note, this giveaway is only open to U.S. Residents. I will use random.org to choose the winning number. Contest ends November 3, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST.

To enter:

1. Leave a comment at the end of this post, telling me what you’ll be doing with the alkaline water (i.e., hydrating from a workout, just for fun, cooking, baking).

2. For an additional entry, tweet the following message “Win Evamor Alkaline water @kirbiecravings https://bit.ly/QPmCyf” Then leave a separate comment at the end of this post, telling me you’ve done so. Make sure it is a separate entry so that it is counted separately. If it’s not easy to tell who you are from your Twitter profile, please provide information in the comment that will let me be able to connect your entry with your tweet.

3. For an additional entry, Like this post on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment at the end of this post telling me you’ve done so. Make sure it is a separate entry so that it is counted separately. If it’s not easy to tell who you are from your Facebook profile, please provide information in the comment that will let me be able to connect your entry with your “Like.”

Good luck!