Food and drink

Is Alkaline Water Good For You?

glass of water

The Bottom Line

Alkaline water has a high pH and contains electrolytes and minerals, and can be produced naturally or through a chemical reaction. Some people believe that drinking alkaline water can reduce the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and other medical conditions, but there is little published data to support these claims. 

jogger drinking a bottle of water
Need help? Get Help Onlineor
Call 1-800-222-1222

What is alkaline water?

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.

How do you make alkaline water?

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. In one case, a man accidentally spilled alkaline drops onto his skin. He developed a third-degree burn that required treatment at a burn center. 

What are the health benefits of alkaline water?

Alkaline water can be used as part of an alkaline diet. Proponents of the alkaline diet believe that acidity in the human body is associated with an increased risk of cancer, osteoporosis, and heart disease, and that following an alkaline diet can reduce the risks of developing these diseases. However, there is scant published medical literature supporting the use of alkaline water for prevention or treatment of these conditions. In one study, people who followed an alkaline diet had minimal change in their blood acidity, although their urine did become more alkaline.

Is alkaline water a good treatment for acid reflux?

Alkaline water has also been studied as a treatment for a medical condition called laryngopharyngeal reflux. The stomach enzyme pepsin, which causes tissue damage in patients affected by laryngopharyngeal reflux, can be inactivated by alkaline water. In one study, use of alkaline water and a plant-based diet was found to be as effective as prescription medication for the treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux. 

What are the side effects of alkaline water?

Side effects of alkaline water consumption can include nausea and vomiting. In 2020, an outbreak of liver disease was reported in individuals who drank a particular brand of alkaline water. Signs and symptoms of liver disease reported during this outbreak included nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, confusion, and jaundice.

What do you do if alkaline water makes you sick? 

If unwanted or unexpected symptoms develop after drinking alkaline water, get guidance from Poison Control immediately. Help from Poison Control is available at www.poison.org and by phone at 1-800-222-1222. Both options are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.

Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD
Medical Toxicologist

For media inquiries, please contact Krista Osterthaler at osterthaler@poison.org.

Poisoned?

Call 1-800-222-1222 or

HELP ME online

Prevention Tips

  • Talk to your doctor before using alkaline water as a treatment for laryngopharyngeal reflux.
  • Seek medical care immediately if you develop jaundice or severe abdominal pain after drinking alkaline water.
  • To reduce the risk of skin burns, use caution when handling alkaline drops.

This Really Happened

In 2020, more than twenty people living in California and Nevada developed unexplained symptoms, including fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, and vomiting. Laboratory assessment revealed abnormal liver function tests that were consistent with a diagnosis of acute liver failure. One 60-year-old woman died, but the remainder of the affected individuals recovered. A health department investigation revealed that all of the affected individuals had consumed a product called “Re2al Alkalinized Water” prior to the onset of illness. In 2021, the manufacturer of Re2al Alkalinized Water agreed to voluntarily recall the product due to these illnesses.

For More Information

Here’s Why Alkaline Water Doesn’t Live Up to the Hype (Cleveland Clinic)

Alkaline Water: Health Drink Or All Hype? (Henry Ford Health)

References

Berk C, Ammar T, Lee BT. Acute Liver Failure due to Manufactured Alkaline Water: A Case Series of "Real Water"-Induced Liver Injury. Am J Gastroenterol. 2021 Dec 1;116(12):2476-2477. 

Buclin T, Cosma M, Appenzeller M, Jacquet AF, Décosterd LA, Biollaz J, Burckhardt P. Diet acids and alkalis influence calcium retention in bone. Osteoporos Int. 2001;12(6):493-9.

Fenton TR, Huang T. Systematic review of the association between dietary acid load, alkaline water and cancer. BMJ Open. 2016 Jun 13;6(6):e010438. 

Koseki M, Tanaka Y, Noguchi H, Nishikawa T. Effect of pH on the taste of alkaline electrolyzed water. J Food Sci. 2007 Jun;72(5):S298-302.

Ruff JC, Zhang Y, Bui DP, Therriault C, Nogee D, Guthery SL, Daniel J. Notes from the Field: Acute Nonviral Hepatitis Linked to a Brand of Alkaline Bottled Water - Clark County, Nevada and California, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021 Nov 19;70(46):1617-1619.

Shirahata S, Hamasaki T, Teruya K. Advanced research on the health benefit of reduced water Trends Food Sci Tech. 2012;23:124-131.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Bottled water everywhere: keeping it safe. Available at https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/bottled-water-everywhere-keeping-it-safe/ Accessed March 14, 2023.

Weinsheim T, Lesser H, Sataloff RT. Unforeseen consequence of alkaline water therapy for laryngopharyngeal reflux. Ear Nose Throat J. 2018 Dec;97(12):394-395.

Wright KF. Is Your Drinking Water Acidic? A Comparison of the Varied pH of Popular Bottled Waters. J Dent Hyg. 2015 Jun;89 Suppl 2:6-12.

Zalvan CH, Hu S, Greenberg B, Geliebter J. A Comparison of Alkaline Water and Mediterranean Diet vs Proton Pump Inhibition for Treatment of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017 Oct 1;143(10):1023-1029.

Poisoned?

Call 1-800-222-1222 or

HELP ME online

Prevention Tips

  • Talk to your doctor before using alkaline water as a treatment for laryngopharyngeal reflux.
  • Seek medical care immediately if you develop jaundice or severe abdominal pain after drinking alkaline water.
  • To reduce the risk of skin burns, use caution when handling alkaline drops.

This Really Happened

In 2020, more than twenty people living in California and Nevada developed unexplained symptoms, including fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, and vomiting. Laboratory assessment revealed abnormal liver function tests that were consistent with a diagnosis of acute liver failure. One 60-year-old woman died, but the remainder of the affected individuals recovered. A health department investigation revealed that all of the affected individuals had consumed a product called “Re2al Alkalinized Water” prior to the onset of illness. In 2021, the manufacturer of Re2al Alkalinized Water agreed to voluntarily recall the product due to these illnesses.