Alkaline water: Better than plain water?

Answer Section

For most people, alkaline water is not better than plain water.

Bottled water that's sold as alkaline water may have minerals such as calcium and magnesium added to it. The minerals help the water achieve an alkaline pH. The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline substances are. The scale goes from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral. A pH greater than 7 is alkaline, while a pH less than 7 is acidic.

Alkaline water has a higher pH than that of plain tap water. So proponents say that alkaline water can neutralize acid in the body. Some say that alkaline water can help prevent disease, such as cancer and stroke. But more research is needed to prove these claims.

Some studies also suggest that alkaline water may help slow bone loss. It's not clear whether the added calcium in the water may improve some bones. More research is needed to find out if alkaline water plays a role in bone strength and if that benefit continues over the long term. Some studies also suggest that alkaline water and a plant-based Mediterranean style diet may help relieve acid reflux. Again, there's not enough research to say for sure.

Use of alkaline water has been linked to some safety concerns, especially if the water's pH is higher than 9.8. The safety concerns include getting high levels of potassium in the blood, also called hyperkalemia. This condition is especially risky for people who have kidney disease.