Why is alkaline water trending?

 Why is alkaline water trending?

The claim that water infused with lemon, mint, cucumber, and coriander becomes alkaline is not scientifically proven; furthermore, an increase in pH does not necessarily mean the water is healthier.

Although small studies suggest some potential benefits, there is insufficient evidence to support claims that alkaline water detoxifies the body, aids in weight loss, prevents cancer, or delays aging.

Content claiming that drinking water infused with lemon, mint, cucumber, and coriander—after letting it sit for a few hours—can reduce body acidity, improve digestion, and detoxify the body is currently abundant on social media.

Some are presenting this specific concoction as "alkaline water" and promoting it as a new health and fitness trend.

Does mixing lemon, mint, cucumber, and coriander actually make the water alkaline?

Claims regarding alkaline water range from balancing the body's pH and strengthening bones to delaying the aging process.

How much of this is backed by scientific evidence? What exactly is alkaline water, how does it affect the body, and which of the claims circulating on social media are true versus which are myths?

What is alkaline water?

Simply put, alkaline water is water that is more alkaline (basic) than regular water. To understand this, one needs to know about "pH." pH indicates whether a substance is acidic or alkaline.

The scale ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral; values ​​below 7 indicate acidity, while values ​​above 7 indicate alkalinity. Alkaline water typically has a pH level around 8 or 9; hence the name "alkaline water."

How is it made?

Alkaline water can be produced in two ways: naturally or through the use of technology.

Some water becomes naturally alkaline as it flows over rocks and through mineral-rich areas, picking up minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and bicarbonate. This infusion of minerals can raise the water's pH level, making it naturally alkaline.

Many commercially available alkaline waters are produced using electrolysis or ionization technology. These processes increase the water's pH level. Therefore, simply seeing the word "alkaline" on a bottle does not mean all such waters are identical; their sources, mineral content, and production methods can vary.

How does it differ from ordinary water?

The primary differences lie in the pH level and mineral content. While ordinary drinking water usually has a pH around 7, alkaline water typically has a pH of 8 or 9. However, it is important to note that a higher pH does not automatically make the water healthier.

Alkaline water may contain minerals like calcium, magnesium, or potassium, but the specific mineral content depends on the water's source and production process.

Why has alkaline water gained so much attention?

The main reason is the health-related claims associated with it. Proponents claim that alkaline water reduces body acidity, improves digestion, enhances hydration, strengthens bones, flushes out toxins, and slows the aging process. In some quarters, it is even claimed that it can protect against serious illnesses, including cancer. These claims have fostered the perception that alkaline water is somehow "special" compared to ordinary water. However, science has not substantiated these claims.

Does it reduce the body's acidity?

This is the most widely circulated claim regarding alkaline water. It is often suggested that the food we consume makes the body acidic and that drinking alkaline water is necessary to restore balance. However, our bodies regulate their own pH levels.

The blood pH of a healthy person typically ranges between 7.35 and 7.45. The lungs and kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining this balance. Drinking a glass of alkaline water does not cause a sudden shift in blood pH.

Once the water reaches the stomach, it comes into contact with gastric acid. The body then restores balance through its natural physiological processes. Therefore, the notion that drinking alkaline water makes the body itself "alkaline" is incorrect.

Does it offer no benefits at all?

If alkaline water contains minerals such as calcium or magnesium, the body can absorb them. However, there is no evidence to suggest that these benefits arise solely from the water being alkaline.

Some small-scale studies indicate that alkaline or mineral-rich water might have positive effects on digestion, bowel movements, or bone health. However, these studies are limited in scope, and the findings cannot be generalized to claim that alkaline water is beneficial for everyone.

For instance, a 2018 study conducted in Japan involving 60 participants suggested that alkaline electrolyzed water might lead to some improvements in bowel function. Similarly, a 2021 study indicated potential improvements in bone density among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. However, these were small-scale studies; such findings have yet to be confirmed by large-scale, long-term research.

Does it hydrate better than regular water?

Another claim regarding alkaline water is that it hydrates the body more effectively than regular water. However, there is no clear evidence that alkaline water provides significantly better hydration for healthy individuals than ordinary, safe water.

The most important thing is simply meeting the body's hydration needs. Water helps regulate body temperature, aids digestion, transports nutrients to various parts of the body, and facilitates the elimination of waste products through urine. Expensive alkaline water is not required for these purposes.

Can it be made at home?

Currently, products are available on the market to make water alkaline at home...Machines for producing alkaline water, as well as drops and other related products, are available. One often hears about adding baking soda to raise the water's pH level. However, raising the pH level is not the same as making the water healthy.

While adding baking soda can increase the pH, it also raises the sodium content. Therefore, it is not advisable to try to make water "healthier" by arbitrarily mixing things into it at home.

Another important point is that a higher pH level does not guarantee the removal of all contaminants. pH alone does not indicate the presence of bacteria, heavy metals, or other harmful substances.

If you decide to drink alkaline water, what should you look for?

Simply checking the pH value listed on the bottle is not enough. You should also consider the water's source, the processing method, the mineral content, and whether the water quality has been tested.

A pH of 9 does not necessarily mean the water contains an abundance of minerals essential for the body. Similarly, a high pH level is not proof that the water is safe.

So, should you drink alkaline water or not?

It is not that one should avoid alkaline water entirely. However, it is incorrect to view it as a "miracle cure" or as being vastly healthier than ordinary water.

Research to date has suggested some potential benefits of alkaline water. However, there is insufficient evidence to support bold claims such as altering the body's pH, preventing cancer, aiding weight loss, detoxifying the body, or preventing aging.

Ultimately, the simplest conclusion regarding alkaline water is that it is merely water with a different pH level than ordinary water—not a miracle remedy. When drinking water, the primary factors to consider are its safety and quality; whether or not it is alkaline is a secondary consideration.

In other words, although research suggests that drinking alkaline water may offer some benefits to certain individuals, there is no guarantee that it will necessarily be beneficial.