We’ve all heard the claims that alkaline water is superior to regular tap water because it balances the body’s pH, increases hydration, and improves health. However, the stomach, kidneys, and lungs tightly regulate the body’s pH to remain stable.
Let’s look at what happens when you introduce alkaline water to the body.
Understanding pH
The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. The pH scale ranges from 0-14. A pH of 7 is considered to be neutral. pH measures the concentration of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions in substances. Substances with a pH of less than 7 are acidic and those greater than 7 are alkaline or basic.
Blood in the human body is slightly alkaline with a pH between 7.35-7.45. Anything higher or lower than this will cause physiological problems. The body has intricate buffering systems to regulate pH and prevent fluctuations that might compromise health.
The pH levels in the body are tightly regulated and the concept of drinking alkaline water to influence the body’s pH is oversimplified. The stomach is highly acidic with a pH between 1.5-3.5. The acid in the stomach aids in digestion of foods and kills potential pathogens. After you consume alkaline water, the stomach acid quickly neutralizes it, preventing any impact on the overall pH of the body. Other systems in the body, like the kidneys and lungs, also work to maintain a stable internal pH, adjusting levels of acids and bases as needed. The idea that drinking alkaline water can significantly alter the body’s pH and improve health lacks scientific support.
Health Claims Surrounding Alkaline Water
One of the common myths around alkaline water is its ability to enhance hydration levels more than regular water.
Some people claim the increased pH of alkaline water may result in better hydration due to its purported smaller cluster size and is better absorbed into cells. There’s not a scientific study that supports these claims. The body’s natural mechanisms for water absorption rely on factors like thirst, presence of electrolytes, and the composition of the fluid. Not the pH of the fluid.
Another common false claim is that consuming alkaline water can help balance the body’s pH, leading to health benefits.
The argument suggests that an acidic diet and lifestyle contributes to an overly acidic internal environment and alkaline water can counteract the acid. The body has tightly regulated mechanisms to maintain internal pH. The kidneys and lungs work to eliminate excess acids and bases, helping to make sure the body’s pH remains stable. The body’s internal buffering systems manage pH levels. So they quickly naturalize and correct any temporary changes due to dietary intake. Therefore, alkaline water cannot change the body’s pH to promote better health.
Final Thoughts
While the pH scale is a fundamental concept in chemistry, the body’s internal pH is complex. So much so that dietary changes won’t have a significant impact on the body’s pH. Claims that alkaline water leads to increased hydration or balances the body’s pH are not supported by scientific studies. The body’s innate regulation mechanisms, primarily the kidneys and lungs, regulate internal pH levels. Thus, making the impact from dietary choices, like drinking alkaline water, very minimal.
Alkaline water is another solution for a problem that the health and wellness community made up. Some might prefer Alkaline water due to its taste, but attributing it to health benefits or claiming it balances the body’s pH is simply false. Instead of buying into the alkaline water trend, try evidence-based solutions — getting more exercise, eating more protein, consuming a balanced diet and just practice overall well-established health practices. Alkaline water isn’t a magic cure-all.
