Alkaline Water Pros and Cons
Posted by Kenton Jones on Sep 3rd 2024
Alkaline drinking water has been one of the rising trends in health and fitness in recent years. Supporters state that regularly drinking water with higher pH levels can help cure numerous ailments. They have lauded the drink as a potential cure-all for issues ranging from poor hydration and bone loss to cancer and diabetes. As a result, many have jumped on the trend, resulting in a boom in alkaline water products hitting the market.
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Is alkaline water really so powerful? Does drinking high-pH water really do so much for your health? Before you decide for yourself, it's worth your time to learn more. We've compiled a summary of the research surrounding the water and the pros and cons of alkaline water.
Exploring Potential Benefits and RisksPros of Alkaline Water
What To Do If Your Water's PH Level Is High
Benefits of Using A Water Filtration System
What Is Alkaline Water?
Alkaline is another word for basic, which in chemistry refers to a substance's pH level, measured on a scale of 0 to 14. Lower numbers indicate something is more acidic, while higher numbers indicate something is more basic or alkaline.
Most drinking water has a pH of 7, which is considered neutral on the pH scale. Alkaline water is more basic, typically ranging from 8 to 10 on the pH scale. For comparison, wine and beer are somewhat acidic, with an average pH of 4.0, while many household cleaners are typically more alkaline, with a pH of 13 or more.
However, it's more than a higher pH level that makes alkaline water more basic. This water also contains particles of alkaline minerals that further increase the pH. Additionally, it possesses negative oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) — water's ability to act as a pro-oxidant or antioxidant. Negative ORP makes a substance more antioxidizing.
Where Does It Come From?
Alkaline water is either natural or manufactured. Spring water that passes over rocks and picks up particles of alkaline minerals creates naturally alkaline water. However, most people who drink alkaline water receive the manufactured version.
Electrolysis, a chemical process, produces manufactured alkaline water. In this process, an ionizer uses electricity to separate acidic and alkaline molecules. It then separates out the acidic water. However, alkaline water is not filtered, and any contaminants in tap water are not removed in the process. Some scientists suggest using a filter along with the alkaline machine.
The average consumer can find alkaline water in many grocery and health food stores as well as online. Several brands specifically make alkaline water or carry it as part of their broader lineup. Consumers can also make their own alkaline water at home, either by purchasing a water ionizer or by adding a pinch of baking sodato a glass of tap water.
Exploring Potential Alkaline Water Benefits and Risks
Alkaline water is a controversial topic, primarily because the research doesn't always support the claims. According to proponents, its main advantage is that it reduces acidity in the bloodstream, but scientific research has not backed up this claim about blood pH.
Many alkaline water promoters also point to the health benefits of green tea versus soft drinks. Soft drinks are notorious for their adverse health effects, and alkaline water supporters point to their positive ORP as a cause. Green tea, on the other hand, has a somewhat negative ORP and is associated with many health benefits. However, these claims are largely unsupported by science.
The following are also mentioned as alkaline water benefits:
- Enhanced hydration
- Detoxification
- Weight loss
- Colon-cleansing attributes
- Bone loss prevention
- Immune system upkeep
- Cancer protection
There is no scientific evidence that completely verifies the claims made by alkaline water's supporters. While some research lends credence to some claims, most of the studies popularly cited by users and sellers were either paid for by alkaline water companies or are yet to be verified by peer review. Additionally, much of the research on alkaline water has been animal-based, meaning the possible effects on humans are not yet supported by science. In short, there may not be enough evidence out there yet.
Potential Side Effects
While claims of alkaline water benefits and side effects are not currently backed by science, some believe drinking it could pose the following risks:
- Altered blood pH: Water with a pH higher than tap water could slightly alter the body's pH balance when consumed in large quantities. However, this is unlikely to happen because the kidneys and lungs can maintain proper pH levels on their own.
- Interference with medication absorption: When consumed in large quantities, alkaline water could interfere with the body's ability to absorb certain medications due to its effect on the stomach's pH. When your stomach contents are too alkaline, it can speed up the absorption of acidic drugs, causing the medicine to enter the bloodstream too quickly. At the same time, an alkaline stomach pH could slow the absorption of alkaline medications. Comparable effects are demonstrated with medications used to treat heartburn, as they also increase the stomach's pH levels.
- Kidney disease complications: There may be risks associated with drinking alkaline water for those with kidney issues, especially if the disease is caused by high blood pressure or heart disease, since excess fluid could be harmful. For this reason, medical professionals recommend not drinking alkaline water without supervision if you have kidney disease or another type of impaired kidney function. However, it's important to note that this risk exists with all forms of water — not just alkaline water.
- Digestive issues: Though unlikely, some experts believe drinking a large amount of alkaline water could lead to digestive issues like nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
Pros of Alkaline Water
While many of the claims about alkaline water are largely unsubstantiated, some are supported by current research. Although most of these studies require further examination or peer review to verify, they do pose interesting questions about alkaline water's benefits. Below are some of the most supported alkaline drinking water health benefits:
Improved Hydration
Many studies suggest alkaline water can provide a better level of hydration than standard drinking water. A study published in Biology of Sport in 2017 found that athletes hydrated with alkaline, low-mineralized water experienced better hydration status and more efficient lactate utilization following high-intensity interval exercise compared to those who drank regular water.
A 2022 scientific literature review found some small studies showing beneficial effects, though the evidence wasn't strong enough to recommend alkaline water as a health product.
Antioxidative Properties
Alkaline water has negative ORP levels, making it an antioxidant. This suggests alkaline water works well against free radicals, which are oxidizing agents that can negatively affect long-term health.
Soothes Acid Reflux
Alkaline water consumption can help reduce acid reflux, commonly known as heartburn. However, experts say this would only be a temporary benefit. According to a 2018 study, drinking alkaline water and adopting a plant-based diet can also work, as well as medications to reduce laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms — a severe form of acid reflux in which stomach acid travels all the way up to the throat.
Prevents Bone Loss
Alkaline water may potentially decelerate bone loss. However, this research is small in scale and requires further investigation. Peer reviews are necessary to verify the results, and further research is required to determine whether alkaline water can influence bone mineral's overall density and if the body maintains this benefit long-term.
A 2021 study demonstrated that of 100 postmenopausal women, those who drank alkaline water had enhanced bone density markers, suggesting further studies on the efficacy of using alkaline water to treat osteoporosis.
Diabetes Management
Drinking alkaline water cannot permanently change body pH. However, some studies suggest potential benefits for particular body metrics. A 2022 study, for example, found that regular alkaline water drinkers had significantly lower body weight and body fat percentage. While promising, all of these studies require significant further study to substantiate and determine whether alkaline water or another source caused these results.
Cons of Alkaline Water
Little evidence suggests any real detriments to drinking alkaline water. Alkaline water's primary issue is the sheer lack of proof for many claims. Any natural remedy needs evidence to show it works, and this proof simply doesn't exist for most claims made by alkaline water supporters. Most troubling of these is the claim that alkaline water can treat or prevent cancer, which has no basis in any scientific study.
Although alkaline drinking water is generally considered safe to drink, it still poses significant cons. Some of the problems with alkaline water include:
Decreased Stomach Acidity
Stomach acid helps regulate the pH of substances that enter the body, preventing highly basic or highly acidic substances from affecting the body. Excessive alkaline water intake can temporarily reduce natural stomach acidity. Widespread problems can result, including disease and gastrointestinal distress.
In extreme cases, excessive alkalinity may cause metabolic alkalosis, which can cause symptoms including nausea, vomiting, tremors, numbness and confusion. Fortunately, this condition is more often caused by an underactive parathyroid gland rather than one's diet. In most cases, the stomach's pH level will return to somewhere between 1.5 and 3.5 rapidly, and the water's effects will be temporary.
Like stomach acid, the human body effectively regulates blood pH, keeping it around 7.35. Since alkaline water does not affect blood pH, many claims that alkaline water will "even out" the body's acidity are unfounded.
Mineral Deficiencies
Most of the problems with alkaline water pertain to the lack of supporting evidence surrounding it. However, consumers should consider one major health concern when drinking this water. Artificial alkaline water often contains fewer beneficial minerals than advertised, and drinking too much of it may leave drinkers deficient in minerals. Additionally, many manufacturers don't decontaminate the water to the same level they would regular drinking water, which can leave pathogenic contaminants behind.
High Cost
Alkaline water is less affordable than most drinking water. Bottles are typically more expensive at the grocery store due to the extra processing that goes into each bottle. Home ionizers are also expensive, making them impractical for most people. Considering the largely marginal health benefits, most non-athletes do not find the cost worth it.
Doesn't Treat Contaminants
Alkaline water is a promising natural remedy for some specific ailments, but it's not the cure-all some companies would have you believe. The most important thing is that your water is clean of contaminants like forever chemicals, lead and microplastics.
Whether or not you use an alkaline system, Multipure can offer you water that reduces numerous contaminants, giving your family the healthiest water possible. Note that alkaline water does nothing to treat the contaminants in the water — it merely changes the pH.
What to Do if Your Water's pH Level Is High
If you are among the 13 million households in the United States that use private wells for their drinking water, you know how important water safety is. Since the EPA does not regulate private wells or provide reports for the standards of your well, you're responsible for your water's safety. Part of this responsibility involves testing for pH levels, which you should perform at least once a year.
You can do the testing yourself or have professional water testing done. The test will likely also give you critical information about contaminant levels in your well water.
What Are Safe pH Levels?
If your home water is naturally alkaline and falls within a pH range of 8 to 9, you don't need to worry about altering your water unless you want to. Naturally basic water that falls within certain parameters is largely harmless. Your most important considerations are whether your water contains contaminants and whether it contains sufficient minerals for your health.
Additionally, particularly high-pH water, called hard water, can lead to mineral buildup in your water pipes. This buildup can negatively impact the quality of your laundry and lead to soap scum buildup. Hard water generally responds well to treatment with a water softener, which uses an ion exchange resin to remove calcium and magnesium ions and replace them with sodium ions. It prevents the minerals from entering your home and causing buildup. However, a water softener does not change the pH level of your home's water directly.
The most problematic issue is that hard water can contribute to bacterial growth. In these cases, you need a high-quality filtration system to minimize the negative effects and prevent pathogens from contaminating your drinking water.
Benefits of Using a Water Filtration System
In many cases, regardless of your water's pH, you need a high-quality filtration system to prevent pathogens from contaminating your drinking water. If you need a high-quality filtration system for your home water, turn to Multipure. Our home drinking water systems reduce an array of contaminants to ensure clean, healthy, pH-balanced water for your family.
Our innovative water filtration uses our proprietary solid carbon block technologyto deliver numerous benefits, including:
- Greater chemical adsorption and mechanical filtration enable our products to address a broad spectrum of contaminants, such as asbestos and cysts.
- Longer water contact time to adsorb problematic pesticides, herbicides, pathogens, and heavy metals like lead and mercury.
- Filtering out contaminants without removing healthful minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
- It treats forever chemicals, like PFAS, and microplastics.
Multipure also provides various home essentials. Multipure's Bath and Garden products allow you to modify water for specific areas of your home — for example, filtration systems specifically designed for your shower, bath, and yard. Our products also include emergency water filtration systems that can deliver clean water when municipal water is not available. We even have reusable stainless steel portable water bottles so you can filter your water on the go.
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Learn More From Multipure
Multipure is the premier manufacturer of high-quality drinking water systems, filters, and purifiers for homes across the United States. We provide a variety of water purification devices designed to promote better water, health, and overall well-being.
For almost 50 years, we've completed extensive research to develop and manufacture some of the best drinking water treatment devices in the industry.
If you're interested in improving the water quality in your home, you can trust Multipure and our extensive product line to achieve the results you want.
Contact Multipure today to answer your questions about how to improve water quality in your home