The Truth About Alkaline Water: Has Magic Powers or Is It a Myth?

Alkaline water is supposed to protect the body against cancer and premature aging, it would treat fertility problems and adjust the PH level in the body, giving us more energy. So it's promoted as a magic wand at the fingertips of everyone: anyway, we have to drink water daily, so why not drink a much healthier version?

What is alkaline water?
Alkaline water, also called ionized water, has a pH between 7 and 9.5, higher than ordinary water, whose pH is around 7. Basically, alkaline water lowers acidity in our body and taking into account human blood tends to an alkaline value with a pH of 7.4, alkaline water seems to be the solution for most of our health problems.

The stomach is the only organ in the human body with a very acidic PH, needed for food processing: between 1.5 and 3.5. From a biological point of view, it is considered that a small level of PH in the body can cause diarrhea, osteoporosis, anxiety, rheumatism and dysfunctions of the immune system, but it also affects the cells' abilities to get healthier in case of a chronic condition or cancer. A study published in 1989 in the journal Perspectives in Cancer Research found that PH levels in tumors are more acidic than in healthy tissues.
Alkaline water can be bought from stores, especially those with a natural or organic flavor, but can also be prepared at home with a special ionization plant. There are also prescriptions that include the use of sodium bicarbonate and lemon. Water pH can be measured using special bands available at any pharmacy.

What promises and what is the truth?

So far no conclusive studies have been carried out to prove the benefits of alkaline water. As a matter of fact, no medical authority in the world explicitly recommends the use of alkaline water in a treatment, not even in the treatment of cancer.
However, alkaline water is recommended by alternative medicine, especially Asian and Indian peoples. A study published in 2001 in the Shanghai Journal of Protective Medicine mentions that long-time alkaline water consumption (at least 3 months) lowers cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.

You could say in this case that alkaline water is worth trying. But there are risks too!

An increased PH in the body is healthy in most cases, but for some patients it can lead to complications. For example, people with kidney problems following drug treatments may have problems because of minerals in alkaline water that can be stored excessively in their bodies. There are also cases of excessively alkaline PH with unpleasant symptoms like nausea, tremor of the hands, muscle cramps, confusion and dizziness.
So, if you consider drinking alkaline water, talk to a doctor first that can analyze your medical history and can tell you whether a high generalized PH can cause you long-term problems.