Does alkaline water actually have health benefits?

By Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD

“Alkaline water” is having its day in the sun. But is it really a good way to promotealkalinity?

Frankly, some hip health products are more about marketing than science. When youunderstand how alkalinity occurs in the body, you’ll be able to separate fact fromfiction — and be healthier in the process. Let’s start with the basics (pun intended!).

What is “alkaline water” — and how alkaline should it be?

Water is considered alkaline if it has a pH reading above 7 (7 is neutral on thepH scale). The pH of some of the best-selling alkaline water brands ranges from8 to 10.

But pH is not a case of “more is more” — we’re not after the highest pH we can get.The reason is that very high pH is unhealthy. When the pH of water reaches 8.8,there are dire effects on digestion. That’s because the higher pH inactivates thedigestive enzyme pepsin, which would lead to a decrease in HCL production — andmuch weaker digestion. That’s why the pH of municipal drinking water should be between6.5 to 8.5, according to the EPA. And the same holds true for “alkalizing water”— no matter the price.

It’s not true that a high pH makes something alkalize your body

Whether a food or liquid alkalizes the body does not depend on the pH reading ofthat particular substance. For example, lemon juice is very acidic (i.e. it hasa very low pH), yet it is very alkalizing.

What’s important is not the original pH of a substance but instead, the net effectafter it has been metabolized in the body. When acids like those from citrus aremetabolized, they produce bicarbonate —a strong agent that helps the body alkalize.But other acids, like the hippuric acid found in cranberries, both enter and leavethe body as acid, and so they are acid-forming within the body.

If it’s not pH, what makes something actually alkalize your body??

The alkaline forms of certain minerals found in a liquid can make it alkalizing.Specifically, the body uses the alkalizing forms of potassium, magnesium, calciumand sodium to buffer acids. These minerals are alkalizing because they are attachedto negatively-charged anions such as carbonate, hydrogen carbonate, and ascorbate.Waters high in alkalizing mineral forms really do help alkalize the body.

The major minerals to look for in alkalizing water are bicarbonate, calcium, magnesiumand potassium. When it comes to water, its alkalizing capacity can be describedin terms of its “total dissolved solids,” or inorganic mineral salts of organicmatter that’s present in the water.

The label of water that is truly alkalizing will say it contains a significantamount of “total dissolved solids.” It’s the metabolism of these minerals that hasan alkalizing effect, not the pH of the liquid.

So what is “natural” alkaline water?

Real healing, alkalizing waters are natural mineral waters from under the ground.And studies show that natural mineral water is effective at promoting bone and overallhealth. The best known of these are the European mineral waters originating highin the mountains. These waters pick up mineral salts from rocks and earth as theyforge their subterranean path down the mountains. The World Health Organization reports that the concentrationof total dissolved solids from natural water sources varies from fewer than 30mg/Lto as many as 6000mg/L, depending on the solubility of minerals from different geologicalregions.

According to European regulations, only water with at least 250mg/liter of mineralsmay be called “mineral water.” Water with 500mg/liter or more may also be designated“high mineral content.” Natural mineral water must be bottled at the source so itschemical properties can’t be altered. And indeed, studies show that natural mineralwater is effective at promoting bone and overall health.

Is synthetic alkaline water just as good?

Synthetic alkaline water can be divided into two groups. One is purified water withadded trace minerals. The second is produced by electrolysis and it’s even moreartificial. A machine separates the hydrogen (acid-forming) and hydroxyl (alkalizing)components of water and renders two waters, one highly acidic and the other highlyalkalizing.

The label on this kind of “alkalizing water” might say it was made by electrolysis.Such waters can have a pH of 9 or above — high enough to inactivate pepsin and decreasestomach acid production. In fact, the only medically approved use of these highpH waters is to treat acid reflux in Japan and Korea. Proponents of alkaline watermade through electrolysis make broad claims about its health effects but to date,the only official medical use is for excess stomach acid.

What to look for when assessing the alkalizing capacity of “alkaline” water

You can’t judge the effects of alkaline water by its labeled pH. Instead, look forthe amount of the minerals listed on the water’s label. It should look somethinglike this:

How can you judge the alkalizing effect of your water?

To see if your “alkalizing water” is really good for you, put it to the test. Eata fairly consistent diet and measure the pH of your first morning urine every dayfor a week. Then, without changing your diet, add your “alkaline water” for anotherweek, and then take another measurement of your first morning urine pH. If yoururine pH was below 6.5 the first week, and the subsequent consumption of the alkalinewater helped raise your first morning urine pH into the optimum 6.5 to 7.5 range,then it is alkalizing.

My Alkaline for Life pH Starter Kit makes it easy to take regularpH measurements so you can help your body alkalize. You’ll also get my book, The Acid-Alkaline Food Guide – all the information and suppliesyou need for measuring and optimizing pH.

Get the latest bone health advice with Dr. Brown’s Better Bones Blog.