The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

Drinking sufficient amounts of water helps to flush out toxins, keep your kidneys healthy, boost your immune system, and even keeps your skin looking healthy and radiant. Of course, the hotter the climate and the more you sweat, the more important drinking water becomes.

After conducting a feasibility study through the Department of Statistics and discovering that there was an enormous amount of water being imported into the country on a yearly basis, a group of Bahamians came up with the idea of launching their own water bottling company called Bahama Blu.

The company focuses on alkaline water, which has a higher pH level than regular drinking water. The pH level is a number that measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is on a scale of 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic.

In bottling this water, Bahama Blu executives claim they supersede all of the current industry standards and adhere to the highest sanitary conditions.

"Our thoughts are that we produce a healthier water product that fosters the sustainability of the Bahamas' most precious resource, our Bahamian people. It is our goal to make sure that Bahama Blu alkaline water is in each and every household, as we are proudly making it available and affordable to everyone. Should this happen, we will be well on our way to becoming a healthier population for generations to come. This would be the most valuable achievement for us as a company," said Raquel Knowles, an associate of Bahama Blu.

While alkaline water is a somewhat controversial topic amongst health professionals, some studies claim it has benefits for people with high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol. One study found drinking alkaline water can potentially make a person's blood flow more efficiently, increasing oxygen delivery throughout out the body. However, more research is needed.

"Thus far we have received excellent reviews from the Bahamian people with regards to our quality product, pricing and services. We have people drive from all the way out East to our location in the Airport Industrial Park to buy water," said Ms Knowles. "Most people would like to have it available in the more prominent food stores and restaurants. As such, we are working diligently as a company to provide this service."

Ms Knowles believes introducing a product like Bahama Blu water shows how diverse the Bahamian economy can be, and it reminds people that there are even more industries to tap into apart from tourism and banking. She said their product also highlight the fact that premium products can be manufactured and enjoyed right here in the Bahamas without the need for imports and exorbitant prices.

"Whether it's through export or persons returning with souvenirs, given the name of our product, that in itself serves as advertisement and promotion for the Bahamas. Finally, about 55 per cent to 60 per cent of the human body is water, so why not provide a premium water product that is high in quality and healthy to drink," said Ms Knowles.

"We spent all of 2017 and the first couple months of 2018 putting together a modern and sanitary water manufacturing plant. After months of testing and ironing out of most of the challenges we finally opened to the public in March...Let's promote a healthier Bahamian population."