Alkaline Water for Health and Wellness
There is no scientific evidence supporting health benefits of alkaline water for overall health and wellness compared to regular water. 1
Scientific Evidence on Alkaline Water
Recent systematic review evidence shows that compared to mineral water consumption, alkaline water consumption does not demonstrate any significant differences in:
- Gut microbiota
- Urine pH
- Blood parameters
- Fitness parameters 1
Claimed Benefits vs. Reality
While proponents of alkaline water (typically with pH 8-10) claim various health benefits, scientific investigation has not supported these claims:
A 2024 study analyzing commercially available alkaline water brands found that their alkaline content was minimal (below 1 mEq/L) and provides no added benefit over tap water, even for conditions where alkaline therapy might be beneficial, such as uric acid and cystine urolithiasis 2
The physiologic alkali content in commercial alkaline water is negligible compared to medical treatments like potassium citrate or even certain organic beverages 2
Conflicting Evidence
One cross-sectional study among postmenopausal women reported some potentially favorable outcomes associated with alkaline water consumption:
- Lower fasting plasma glucose
- Improved triglyceride/HDL ratio
- Lower diastolic blood pressure
- Reduced waist circumference
- Improved sleep duration
- Better handgrip strength 3
However, this was an observational study with potential confounding factors, and the findings have not been replicated in controlled trials.
Potential Risks
Some concerns have been raised regarding unrestricted consumption of alkaline water:
- Electrode degradation in electrolysis devices may release platinum nanoparticles with unknown toxicity 4
- Long-term consumption of demineralized water (which some alkaline water products may be) can lead to lower quality nutrient intake 1
Mechanism of Action
Research has demonstrated that any potential benefits observed from electrolyzed-reduced water (a type of alkaline water) are likely due to dissolved molecular hydrogen (H₂) rather than the alkaline pH or other claimed properties such as:
- Altered water structure
- Microclusters
- Free electrons
- "Active hydrogen" 5
Practical Implications
- Regular hydration with plain water is sufficient for most healthy individuals
- For specific medical conditions requiring urinary alkalinization (e.g., certain kidney stones):
- Medical-grade treatments like potassium citrate are more effective
- Alkaline water is not a suitable substitute for prescribed treatments 2
Bottom Line
The current scientific consensus indicates that alkaline water provides no proven health benefits beyond regular water for healthy individuals. Money spent on alkaline water would be better directed toward other evidence-based health interventions or simply ensuring adequate hydration with regular water.