Many foods are known as super foods, because they have more positive characteristics than usual, that is, they are healthier, richer in vitamins and minerals. These superfoods help prevent diseases, in short, they are wonderful food hacks. We can mention some of them as Brussel Sprouts, Spinach, Broccoli, Avocado, Tomatoes, among others. 

But, have you heard that there is a super liquid? The water. Although, in fact, the correct thing is to classify water as a nutrient, it is the main present in our body. However, not all water can be considered a superfood. 3 different glasses of water seen with the naked eye may look exactly the same, but be completely different, depending on their purity, chemical composition and grouping of water molecules. 

So, is there super water? Yes! Super water can make all the difference in health, since the body is made up of 70% water, we are almost like walking aquariums, drinking super water decisively changes a person's health and aesthetics. 

As we already said, there are several types of water, but one has been standing out more and more in the medical and nutrition scenario, alkaline water. We always speak of it here as the best water in the world, we even taught you how to make it at home. 

What many do not know is that it is not simply enough to be alkaline, in fact this is just a small characteristic of perfect water, after all, even chlorine can make water alkaline and that is no way beneficial for our body. 

Alkalinity is fundamental, but to be perfect it must be accompanied by characteristics such as: 

Mineral richness: Water needs to have high doses of alkaline minerals essential for life such as calcium, potassium and magnesium, which is known as the mineral of life.

Antioxidation: Having reduced ORP, which is the indicator of antioxidation, causes water to slow down the aging process and fight degenerative diseases.

Purity: Perfect water is free of any contaminants, bacteria, viruses, heavy metals and chlorine. It only keeps what does us good.

Hydration: The ideal water has a unique characteristic, while ordinary waters have H2O molecules that are grouped in groups of 15 to 50 elements, which makes the water more "heavy". Already ionized alkaline groups its molecules into groups of 6, which makes it lighter and more hydrating, as it reaches places where ordinary water never reaches. 

Today we are going to focus on a special item, the biggest difference between a common water, a common alkaline water and the best water in the world: The NEGATIVE PRAL. Our challenge is to try to explain this concept that is relatively new and that brings a lot of scientific solidity to this surface, since all published studies on an alkalizing diet (with negative PRAL) elucidate and mention PRAL. 

It was possible, for example, to verify that an alkalizing diet prevents and even treats diseases like Diabetes. So it is not enough to drink water with alkaline PH, it is necessary to drink water with negative PRAL, that is, alkalinizing. Seems confused right? That way we need to understand what is alkalizing power or PRAL.

PRAL

Pral is an English acronym that in translation means Potential Renal Acid Load, it is a mathematical calculation that, in short, tells us whether food has an alkalizing power or not. 

In 1995, researchers Remer and Manz were able, in an unprecedented way until then, to calculate the acid or alkaline charge of a food, which means that for the first time in the world it was possible to define precisely whether that food had the power to acidify or alkalinize our body to improve or make your body sick. 

Then comes the first question that many have: “Isn't that easy? Isn't it enough that I just measure the pH of the substance? ” The answer is NO to both questions. Lemon, for example, is extremely acidic (citric acid), but when it is absorbed by the body it has a phenomenal alkalinizing potential, that is, even though it is acidic it alkalizes us. The reverse can also occur. 

As we already said, chlorine is an alkaline substance, but we do not recommend that you drink a full glass with it (yet we do everyday without knowing). Chlorine-treated water is important to get to your tap, but it sucks to drink because it acidifies your body.

How is PRAL measured?

PRAL is basically calculated through the presence of alkaline and acidic components in a given substance. For the diagnosis to be given about how food is influencing your body, the calculation is done through urine. Let's make it easier, if after the complete digestive process of your food, your urine has higher levels of phosphorus and sulfur it will have a positive PRAL, which indicates that your body is acidified, which means it is trying to eliminate excess acid. On the other hand, if the measurement of your urine indicates the presence of minerals such as magnesium, calcium or potassium, PRAL is negative, which shows us that your body does not have many acid wastes to be eliminated. 

The result of this difference between the amount of acids and alkalis is PRAL, where a negative result is good and a positive result is bad.

How important is PRAL for your health?

Well, it has long been known that the kidneys (which are responsible for “filtering” the substances in our body) do not have an unlimited capacity to eliminate acids. So, the more acidic a diet is the more stressed the kidneys are and the more acidic the urine is. 

Several degenerative diseases manifest in an acidic environment, maintaining an alkaline diet and, consequently, assisting your body in the production of alkaline charges is the best way to prevent and / or combat these diseases ranging from a simple cold to more serious diseases such as alzheimer's. 

And PRAL in short is that, it helps you to make sure that what you are consuming, which seems alkaline, will actually be alkaline to your body. It’s kinda like as if PRAL was your personal security guard to ensure the good of your body. 

A simple way to understand how PRAL works is to imagine two glasses of alkaline water, one with negative PRAL and the other with positive PRAL. If we put a little vinegar (which is a powerful acid) in the two glasses, the water with positive PRAL will become acidic at the same time, while the water with negative PRAL will remain alkaline. That is, the vinegar acidifies the water with positive PRAL, but water with negative PRAL has the power to virtually alkalize the vinegar that was placed in the glass.

Beware of alkaline recipes

Having said all that, beware of recipes for producing alkaline water at home, as alkaline water without a negative PRAL is basically the same as ordinary water. Now you know, in addition to asking yourself if what you are eating / drinking is alkaline, ask: “And is PRAL negative?” You will be surprised with some answers. 

Finally, it is worth mentioning that in addition to looking for super foods like the ones mentioned, you can get, very simply, the main superfood the super liquid in your home. There are already ways to treat and turn ordinary tap water into super water. Research on water ionizing filters that will provide you with alkalizing water (with Negative PRAL) and with the other necessary characteristics. Similar to organic food that we know is better for us, it would be the organic water. A functional water that will change decisively to improve your health.