Alkaline Water Is it Beneficial for Health or Harmful?

The pH (power of hydrogen) scale measures how acidic or basic a solution is. It runs from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral. Any solution that has a pH of less than 7 is acidic. A solution that has a pH higher than 7 is alkaline (or basic).

Pure water has a normal pH of 7, while alkaline water has a pH of 8 or higher. In nature, water in springs or wells passes over rocks that contain minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These minerals make the water alkaline. Most health experts agree that naturally alkaline water has health benefits.

However, most bottled alkaline water that people buy at any grocery store is artificial. Companies use electrolysis to alter water’s pH, making it more basic.

During this process, water is subjected to a direct electric current. Since water cannot conduct electricity, it is passed over platinum or titanium plates. The metal plates allow the current to separate the water molecules, causing the water to become more alkaline.

Some experts argue that drinking alkaline water, even if it is artificial, has many benefits. They claim it can treat various diseases.

However, other doctors maintain artificially alkalinized water does not have any health benefits and cannot treat chronic illnesses.

What Do Different Health Experts Think of Alkaline Water for Health?

Opinion 1: Alkaline Water is Beneficial and Can Prevent Diseases

Some doctors claim that alkaline water has the potential to treat or prevent various diseases. It can treat illnesses like cancer, diabetes, and arthritis because alkaline water decreases the level of acidity in the body, which helps prevent disease.

Dr. Beverly Rubik, PhD, the founder and director of the Institute for Frontier Science, believes that alkaline water has many benefits. She maintains that alkaline water’s ability to counteract free radicals in the body can reduce the risk of cancer and inflammation, which is the precursor to disease.

Dr. Rubik also argues that alkaline water can treat diabetes. Her research on alkaline water indicates that it is beneficial and can treat diabetes and even cardiovascular diseases.

Some studies do support her claims. One study conducted in 2001 in Shanghai, China, examined the effect of alkaline water on patients with diabetes and those with high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

After the participants drank alkaline water for 3 to 6 months, they had lower blood sugar and blood lipid levels. Their blood pressure levels also decreased.

The study showed that alkaline water “has therapeutic potential” for diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol levels.

Dr. Michael Greger is another physician who believes that alkaline water may treat illnesses. He points to several studies indicating that alkaline water is beneficial for cardiovascular disease.

One study published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that alkaline water containing sodium bicarbonate lowered participants’ total cholesterol levels by 6.3%. It’s authors concluded that nutritionists can use alkaline water as a “dietary intervention to reduce cardiovascular risk.”

Opinion 2: Alkaline Water is Harmful and Does Not Prevent Diseases

Most scientists and doctors believe that alkaline water does not prevent chronic illnesses like gout, cancer, or diabetes. They do not advise people to drink artificial alkaline water.

Doctors argue artificially alkaline water may interfere with normal bodily functions. It affects the stomach, intestines, heart, and kidneys and may damage cells in the body. Contrary to popular belief, alkaline water does not significantly alter blood pH and cure diseases.

Dr. Eric Berg, a chiropractor and Keto diet expert, suggests) that alkaline water harms the body. The stomach is naturally acidic with a pH of 1-2. He argues that drinking alkaline water with a pH of 8.5 or above can neutralize stomach acid. It impairs digestion and decreases the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food.

Dr. Berg also says that alkaline water disrupts the balance of electrolytes (salts) in the body. It places stress on the heart because its muscles need certain electrolytes to pump blood to the body. Alkaline water also stresses the kidneys. They have to work harder to regulate the balance of salts and fluids in the body and maintain its function.

Olivia Gordon, the host of the YouTube science channel SciShow, points out that there is little scientific evidence to prove that alkaline water prevents diseases. Most research backs up her claim.

In 2016, a review published in the medical journal BMJ Open examined studies or abstracts that discuss the link between alkaline water and the outcome of cancer treatment. It found one small study that looked at the association between drinking alkaline water and cancer treatment.

However, the study showed “no association” between drinking alkaline water and cancer progression. It declared “a lack of evidence both for and against alkaline water… for the treatment of cancer.”

The authors of the review concluded that “the promotion of alkaline diet and alkaline water to the public for cancer prevention or treatment is not justified.”

Do You Think Alkaline Water is Beneficial or can Harm Health?

Share your thoughts on this topic in the forum below.

Vote “YES” if you think alkaline water is beneficial and prevents diseases like diabetes, arthritis, gout, or heart disease. “NO” if you think it is harmful or doesn’t provide health benefits.