Overview of Alkaline Water, and Where to Get It

There are numerous assertions about alkaline water, including claims that it can ward off chronic illnesses and ease menopause symptoms. Yet, many of these purported advantages lack robust scientific backing.

Alkaline water is marginally less acidic than ordinary tap or bottled water and contains minerals that raise its alkalinity. Proponents claim it can balance your pH, slow aging, and even prevent chronic conditions such as cancer.

It’s important to recognize that you cannot substantially alter your blood pH through diet or by drinking alkaline water. Your lungs and kidneys tightly regulate blood pH within a narrow window—about 7.35 to 7.45—which is essential for normal bodily function.

So, is drinking alkaline water advisable, and do the other suggested benefits have scientific support? Continue reading.

What exactly is alkaline water?

The term “alkaline” in alkaline water refers to its pH value. pH is a measurement indicating how acidic or alkaline a substance is on an approximate scale from 0 to 14. For instance, a pH of 1 is highly acidic, while a pH of 13 is very alkaline.

The presence of alkaline minerals—like calcium, potassium, magnesium, or iron—affects the pH of alkaline water.

Alkaline water compared to regular water

Alkaline water has a higher pH than typical drinking water. Supporters argue it can neutralize bodily acidity, but that assertion isn’t supported by solid evidence.

Ordinary drinking water usually sits near a neutral pH of 7. Alkaline water often registers around pH 8 or 9. However, pH on its own doesn’t tell the whole story about a liquid’s alkalinity.

To be considered truly alkaline, water also should contain alkaline minerals and exhibit a negative oxidation-reduction potential (ORP). ORP reflects water’s capacity to act as an oxidizer or an antioxidant: more negative ORP values indicate greater antioxidant potential.

Is alkaline water beneficial to health?

Alkaline water is a contentious topic. Many clinicians and researchers maintain there’s insufficient evidence to substantiate the broad health claims made by its advocates and sellers. Variability in study outcomes may stem from differences in the types of alkaline water and research designs.

Some smaller studies have suggested potential benefits of alkaline water in specific contexts:

• An animal study on mice reported that daily consumption of alkaline water improved markers of DNA aging.
• A study in Japan involving 60 participants indicated that alkaline electrolyzed water modestly improved stool consistency.
• Research hints it could aid bone density in postmenopausal individuals with osteoporosis.

Larger, higher-quality human trials are required to confirm and expand on these preliminary observations.

Are there side effects from alkaline water?

Alkaline drinking water is generally regarded as safe, and there is no clear evidence of widespread adverse effects.

Even though alkaline water has a higher pH than regular water, your body will still make physiological adjustments—such as continuing to produce stomach acid—to maintain proper stomach pH and overall internal balance (homeostasis).

Is alkaline water natural or man-made?

Natural alkaline water forms when water flows over mineral-rich rocks—such as in springs—and dissolves minerals that raise its alkalinity.

However, a sizable portion of alkaline water on the market is produced artificially through a process called electrolysis.

This method uses an ionizer to increase the pH of ordinary water. Manufacturers claim that electrical currents separate the water into more acidic and more alkaline fractions, with the acidic portion being discarded.

Still, some clinicians and scientists argue these assertions lack rigorous supporting research. The quality of the source water before ionization matters greatly to ensure contaminants are not present.

Certain experts recommend using reverse osmosis to purify water thoroughly before applying an alkaline ionizer, which can then boost pH and add minerals back.

There are safety considerations with ionized alkaline water. Regular consumption may raise the risk of developing hyperkalemia, especially if the water’s pH exceeds about 9.8.

Other potential issues noted include impaired growth, depletion of some minerals and vitamins, interference with nutrient absorption, damage to the mucosal lining, and increased thirst.

Where can you obtain alkaline water?

Alkaline water is widely available at grocery stores and health food retailers, and it can also be purchased online. Ionizing machines are sold through many major retailers as well.

You can make higher-pH water at home by adding pH drops or small amounts of baking soda.

If water is adequately filtered to remove contaminants, then ionized and re-mineralized, or if it comes from a reputable source, there’s no current evidence limiting how much alkaline water you can safely drink each day.

Frequently asked questions

Is alkaline water truly healthy?

Alkaline water is slightly less acidic than normal drinking water and includes alkalizing minerals. It’s generally safe to drink, but research has not conclusively proven the wide-ranging health benefits often claimed.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of alkaline water?

Drinking alkaline water can increase intake of certain minerals and may offer benefits for particular health issues.

However, there isn’t enough definitive evidence to support all the claimed advantages, and long-term consumption could carry some risks.

Who should avoid alkaline water?

Individuals with kidney disease or impaired renal function should avoid drinking alkaline water—especially ionized varieties—without medical supervision.

The bottom line

The core concern many health professionals have is not that alkaline water is inherently dangerous, but that the promotional claims about its wide therapeutic effects are overstated.

Although limited research exists, it is insufficient to endorse alkaline water as a treatment for any medical condition. Health authorities caution against accepting marketing claims at face value.

Natural alkaline water with naturally occurring minerals is typically considered safe.

Exercise caution with artificially alkalized water: it may contain fewer beneficial minerals than its pH suggests and could harbor contaminants. Further research is necessary to clarify any real health advantages.