From the Research
Children should generally drink regular water rather than alkaline water due to potential risks and lack of scientific evidence supporting health benefits for kids. The higher pH of alkaline water (usually 8-9) could potentially interfere with stomach acid production, which is necessary for proper digestion and nutrient absorption in developing bodies 1. Children's bodies naturally maintain appropriate pH levels, and introducing artificially alkalinized water may disrupt this balance. Alkaline water could also contain higher mineral content, particularly sodium, which might be inappropriate for children's developing kidneys. Additionally, some alkaline water products may contain additives that haven't been thoroughly studied in children.
There is a lack of scientific evidence supporting health benefits of alkaline water for children, and it's typically more expensive than regular water without proven advantages 1. Recent studies have shown that consumption of alkaline water did not show any significant difference on gut microbiota, urine pH, blood parameter, or fitness parameter compared to mineral water 1. In fact, a systematic review found that there are no additional health effects of alkaline water compared to mineral water, and demineralized water consumption in the long run was proven to lead to adverse effects 1.
Unless specifically recommended by a pediatrician for a medical condition, plain filtered tap water is the healthiest, most appropriate hydration choice for children. It is essential to encourage children to drink enough water to meet their daily hydration needs, as low water intake has been associated with adverse health outcomes, including decreased cognitive performance and increased risk of urinary tract infections 2, 3. Parents and caregivers should prioritize promoting healthy hydration habits in children, such as drinking regular water, rather than relying on alkaline water or other specialized beverages.
Key points to consider:
- Alkaline water may interfere with stomach acid production and disrupt the body's natural pH balance
- Lack of scientific evidence supporting health benefits of alkaline water for children
- Potential risks associated with higher mineral content, particularly sodium, in alkaline water
- Importance of promoting healthy hydration habits in children, such as drinking regular water
- Plain filtered tap water is the healthiest, most appropriate hydration choice for children unless recommended otherwise by a pediatrician.