Alkaline Water: Benefits and
Risks
What is alkaline water?
You may have heard various health claims about alkaline water.
Some claim it can help slow the ageing process, regulate your body's pH level,
and prevent chronic diseases like cancer. But what exactly is alkaline water,
and why all the hype?
The term "alkaline" refers to the pH level of alkaline
water. A pH level is a number that measures how acidic or alkaline a substance
is on a scale of 0 to 14. For example, something with a pH of 1 would be very
acidic, and something with a 13 would be very alkaline.
The pH level of alkaline water is higher than that of regular
drinking water. As a result, some people in favour of alkaline water believe it
can help to neutralize the acid in the body.
The pH of regular drinking water is usually around 7. The pH of
alkaline water is generally between 8 and 9. However, pH alone isn't enough to
give water substantial alkalinity.
Alkaline water must also contain alkaline minerals and negative
oxidation-reduction potential (ORP). ORP refers to water's ability to act as a
pro- or antioxidant. The more negative the ORP value, the more anti-oxidizing
it is.
Does it work?
Alkaline water is somewhat controversial. Many health
professionals believe there is inadequate evidence to back up the multiple
health claims made by users and sellers. The types of alkaline water studies
may explain the differences in research findings.
Regular water is best for most people, according to the Mayo
Clinic. They claim that there isn't enough scientific proof to back up
supporters of alkaline water's claims.
However, a few studies suggest that alkaline water may be helpful
for specific conditions.
For example, a 2012 study found that drinking naturally carbonated
artesian-well alkaline water with a pH of 8.8 may help deactivate pepsin, the
primary enzyme that causes acid reflux.
Another study found that persons with high blood pressure,
diabetes, and high cholesterol may benefit from drinking alkaline ionized
water.
A more recent study of 100 people found a significant difference
in whole blood viscosity after consuming high-pH water compared to regular
water after a strenuous workout. The direct measurement of how efficiently
blood flows through arteries is viscosity.
Those who consumed high-pH water reduced viscosity by 6.3 per cent
compared to 3.36 per cent with standard purified drinking water. This suggests
that alkaline water helped blood flow more efficiently. This can improve oxygen
delivery throughout the body.
Beyond these small studies, however, further research is required.
In particular, research is needed to answer other claims made by alkaline water
supporters.
Despite the lack of proven scientific research, proponents of
alkaline water still believe in its proposed health benefits. These include:
- anti-ageing properties (through liquid antioxidants that penetrate the human body more quickly)
- colon-cleansing properties
- immune system support
- Other detoxifying characteristics include hydration, skin health, and other detoxifying capabilities.
- weight loss
- cancer resistance
They also argue that soft drinks, which are notoriously acidic,
have very positive ORPs leading to many health problems, while adequately
ionized and alkalinized waters have highly damaging ORPs. Green tea is rich in
antioxidants and has a slightly negative ORP.
Possible side effects and risks of alkaline water
Although alkaline drinking water is thought to be harmless, it can
have negative consequences.
Lowering natural stomach acidity, which helps kill bacteria and
expel other undesirable pathogens from entering your bloodstream, is one
example of a negative side effect.
An excess of alkalinity in the body can also create
gastrointestinal problems and skin irritations. Too much alkalinity can upset
the body's natural pH, leading to metabolic alkalosis, which can cause the
following symptoms:
- nausea
- vomiting
- hand tremors
- muscle twitching
- tingling in the extremities or face
- confusion
Alkalosis can also lead to a decrease in free calcium in the body,
which can impact bone health. The most common cause of hypocalcemia is an
underactive parathyroid gland, which is caused by drinking alkaline water.
Natural or artificial?
Naturally, alkaline water occurs when water passes over rocks —
like springs — picks up minerals, increasing its alkaline level.
Many people who drink alkaline water, on the other hand, buy
alkaline water that has gone through a chemical process called electrolysis.
This technique uses a product called an ionizer to raise the pH of
regular water. Makers of ionizers say that electricity is used to separate
molecules in the water that are more acidic or more alkaline. The acidic water
is then funnelled out.
Still, some doctors and researchers say these claims aren't backed
by quality research. Before ionization, the water quality of the source is
critical for ensuring that contaminants are not present in the drinking water.
Some scientists advise using reverse osmosis to adequately purify
water before connecting an alkaline ionizer, raising pH and adding minerals.
According to research published by the World Health Organization,
regularly drinking water with low mineral content (created by reverse osmosis,
distillation, and other methods without additional mineralization) isn't
advised.
Where do you get it?
Alkaline water is available in a variety of grocery and health
food stores. It's also available online.
Water ionizers are sold in many large chain stores as well.
You can make your own at home as well. Another way to make water
more alkaline is to add pH drops or baking soda.
Suppose water is adequately filtered to remove contaminants,
ionized and re-mineralized, or purchased from a quality source. In that case,
there's no evidence to suggest a limitation on how much alkaline water can be
consumed daily.
Is it safe?
The issue with alkaline water for many health professionals isn't
its safety but rather the health claims.
There isn't enough scientific evidence to support alkaline water
as a treatment for any health condition. Medical experts warn against believing
all the marketing claims.
Drinking natural alkaline water is generally considered safe since
it contains natural minerals.
However, it would help if you use caution with artificial alkaline water, which likely contains fewer good minerals than its high pH would have you believe and may contain contaminants. Also, keep in mind, drinking too much alkaline water may leave you deficient in minerals.