We all have heard the importance of drinking water for body health. However, not all water is the same. Our bodies produces acids in a variety of ways on a daily basis. Things like air pollution, poor diet, and excessive stress raise your internal acidity level and can make you sick. Drinking alkaline water with a pH of 7 and above could balance out your body’s acidity level and improve your overall health. Researchers have shown that alkaline water provides other extra great benefits that regular tap or bottled water lack.

At Vascular Care Specialists of Los Angeles, Dr. Mathew Cheung and Dr. Peter Lin discuss the difference of many types of alkaline water. In this post, they also discuss potential benefits of drinking alkaline water as well as its side effect.

Alkaline water has a pH above 7 and contains calcium, potassium, magnesium, and other naturally occurring minerals. Naturally occurring alkaline water is also known as “mineral water” and is regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA requires mineral water to come from an underground source, and the water must contain at least 250 parts per million of dissolved minerals and trace elements. While mineral water originates from underground, alkaline water can be created artificially from tap water or other water sources by adjusting the pH through chemical reactions.

Alkaline water can be purchased in grocery stores, and can also be produced through an electrochemical reaction. Alkaline drops, which are available for purchase online, can be added to regular tap water to create an alkaline product. However, these drops can be dangerous when spilled or not used correctly.

Before we go over the benefits of alkaline water, it is important to understand the difference between natural and artificial alkaline water.

1. Artificial Alkaline Water – Artificial alkaline water goes through a chemical process called electrolysis. This method uses an ionizer to increase the pH of plain water. Ionizers use electricity to filter out the acidic water molecules. Artificially alkaline water may also be enhanced with alkaline compounds like minerals and salts. Some claim that ionization doesn’t do a good job at removing contaminants in the water. Also, many argue that processed alkaline water isn’t beneficial at all.
2. Natural Alkaline Filtered Water – Natural mineral alkaline water doesn’t go through a chemical process like artificial alkaline water.  Instead, it’s produced using a natural alkaline mineral filter. This method infuses water with minerals without the use of chemicals. Some brands of alkaline water also undergo a reverse osmosis purification process. This process removes contaminants like heavy metals, fluoride, and microplastics.

The idea that alkaline water is medicinal, curative, and able to bring about optimal health seems to be based on the belief that acidic properties in the body and blood are the cause of ill health and disease and need to be neutralized. Therefore, a more alkaline body will lead to better health. Alkaline water contains four major minerals that contribute to its remarkable health benefits:

1. Calcium: Important for bone health, as well as heart, muscle, and nerve function.
2. Magnesium: Helps turn food into energy and is necessary for over 300 biochemical reactions in the body.
3. Sodium: Regulates blood pressure and volume, and supports nerve/muscle function.
4. Potassium: A type of electrolyte that is essential for muscle function and promotes healthy digestion.

There are many claims when it comes to the benefits of drinking alkaline water, including immune system support, weight loss, and cancer resistance. Although these claims are notable, they lack proven scientific research. However, there are several incredible health benefits to drinking alkaline water that have been scientifically proven and we are here to share them with you.

Some research has been done on the effects of alkaline intake on bones. A study published in the scientific journal Bone found a positive effect on bone resorption with people who consumed alkaline water rich in bicarbonate. Bone resorption is the process where old bone cells are broken down and replaced by new ones. Less bone resorption and more mineral density result in better bone strength. The authors of the study concluded that “a bicarbonate- and calcium-rich alkali mineral water decreased bone resorption more than a calcium-rich acidic mineral water.”

A clinical study found that drinking alkaline water at pH 8.8 can help soothe acid reflux because the higher pH level kills pepsin, an enzyme involved in breaking down food proteins and a main cause for acid reflux. Acid reflux is when the contents of the stomach, which are acidic, splash back up the food pipe. Acid reflux that keeps happening for a long time can cause damage and a disease known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.

Scientists have reported that drinking alkaline water in improve high blood pressure (hypertension), high blood sugar (diabetes), and high blood lipids (cholesterol). They also found that a high-pH electrolyte water reduced blood viscosity, the thickness and stickiness of your blood, in 100 adults after exercising. This may help reduce cardiovascular strain due to dehydration.

A clinical study found that drinking alkaline water shows a positive effect on hydration status after anaerobic exercise with a significant decrease of specific urine gravity. Intake of alkaline water also shows a positive effect on urine pH during the anaerobic test protocol, and much more efficient lactate utilization after the high-intensity interval exercise. In addition to enhanced hydration, efficient lactate utilization results in increased energy, as lactate serves as an energy source in skeletal muscles.

In contrast, subjects who consumed regular drinking water showed no changes over the same period of time. These results indicate that the habitual consumption of alkaline water may be a valuable nutritional vector influencing both acid-base balance and hydration status, as well as energy levels in active healthy adults.

A study published in 2016 looked at the effect of consuming alkaline water on 150 mice over a period of three years. Results suggested that those who drank alkaline water had signs of greater longevity, in other words, they aged less and were more likely to live longer. Histological examination of mice kidneys, intestines, hearts, livers, and brains was performed in order to verify the risk of diseases correlated to drinking alkaline water. No significant damage, but aging changes, emerged; organs of alkaline watered animals resulted to be relatively superimposable to controls, shedding a further light on the benefits of alkaline water consumption in humans.

Possible overconsumption of alkaline water can over neutralize the body’s natural acid levels which can remove the probiotics “good bacteria” needed. Probiotics are the good bacteria that the body requires to fight off harmful bacteria and other pathogens. Though alkaline water sounds like the best thing ever, always seek additional advice from a medical professional before switching.

At Vascular Care Specialists of Los Angeles, we strive to provide the best service, care, and results possible. If you have peripheral arterial disease and other circulation conditions, give us a call at 626-275-9566 to schedule an appointment. You can also visit us at www.vcsla.com for more