What Is Alkaline Water?

Medically Reviewed by Shruthi N, MD on June 23, 2024
Written by Danny Bonvissuto, Timothy Gower
6 min read

Alkaline water is specially treated water that you can buy in bottles. You can also make your own alkaline water at home. Some sources say that drinking alkaline water has health benefits, though the scientific evidence for those claims isn’t strong. 

So many claims have been made about the health benefits of alkaline water that you might think all those bottles on store shelves were filled at the Fountain of Youth. Though there are a few interesting studies, there isn't enough scientific evidence yet to support the claims.

Does alkaline water hydrate you better?

One of the major claims you may hear or read about alkaline water is that it keeps you better hydrated than conventional water. One small 2018 study in the journal PLoS One that involved highly trained athletes found that eight participants who drank alkaline water performed better during rigorous workouts and had better hydration afterward compared to eight others who drank regular water. Otherwise, there’s little evidence to back the claim that alkaline is the better thirst quencher. Most experts say the type of water you choose doesn’t matter -- the important thing is to drink plenty of it. 

Does alkaline water improve metabolism? 

Another common claim about alkaline water is that it boosts metabolism, which could help you lose weight. In a 2022 study published in PLoS One, Chinese researchers asked 304 postmenopausal women about their lifestyle habits, including whether they drank alkaline water. They found that women who did were less likely to have a condition called metabolic syndrome, which includes risk factors such as high blood sugar and blood fats, elevated blood pressure, and belly fat. However, there was little difference in weight between women who drank alkaline water and those who didn’t. More research would be needed to prove that alkaline water improves metabolism.

Can alkaline water increase your energy levels? 

Drinking alkaline water will not increase your energy level. Staying hydrated is important for energy levels because dehydration can make you feel fatigued. But alkaline water won't give you any more energy than regular water. 

Does alkaline water slow bone loss?

There is some evidence that drinking alkaline water might slow bone loss. In a 2021 study published in the Journal of Menopausal Medicine, 100 women who were being treated for osteoporosis were divided into two groups: One drank 1.5 liters (a little over 6 cups) of alkaline water every day, while the other group didn’t. After 3 months, both groups had improved bone density, but the women who drank alkaline water had slightly more improvement. The authors of the study say more research is necessary to understand the long-term benefits of alkaline water for slowing bone loss. 

Does alkaline water improve digestion?

There’s no reason to think that drinking a bottle of alkaline water with a meal will make it easier to digest. Your stomach is full of acidic gastric juices that will neutralize the water’s alkalinity. Drinking any type of water after a meal will improve digestion by making it easier for your body to absorb nutrients. 

Does alkaline water slow aging?

Studies show that people who drink plenty of water every day appear to live longer and have fewer chronic diseases. But regular H20 will do the trick -- no need to pay more for alkaline water. 

Is alkaline water good for gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis that can cause throbbing joint pain, often in the big toe or lower limbs. A 2024 study in the journal Medicine found that people with gout who added alkaline water to their treatment regimen had less joint pain and swelling than other patients who didn’t. Their lab tests also showed less evidence of inflammation, and their levels of uric acid, which promotes gout, dropped. The authors of the study say that alkaline water may help treat gout, but more research is needed to find out whether it’s safe and beneficial for long-term use. 

Does alkaline water improve skin health? 

The pH level of your skin is slightly acidic -- for a good reason. It helps protect it from harmful bacteria and balance the natural oils. So there's no reason to make your skin more alkaline -- and there's no evidence that drinking alkaline water can do that. In fact, altering the acidity of your skin could cause some problems, such as dryness or irritation. 

Does alkaline water fight cancer?

Since cancer cells grow best in an environment that’s highly acidic, some have suggested that consuming a high-alkaline diet, including water with a high alkaline content, might prevent tumors from forming. But cancer experts say that’s not likely, since drinking alkaline water has no impact on the pH level of your blood, so it would have no effect on tumor growth. There is no evidence that alkaline water fights cancer. 

Does alkaline water help heartburn? 

Some people drink alkaline water in the belief that it will neutralize their stomach acid and prevent or treat heartburn. But doctors who treat heartburn say that consuming alkaline water won’t have much effect on the pH level of your stomach contents. And it won’t do anything to solve the main problem with heartburn, which is that acidic contents of your stomach backs up into your esophagus (windpipe), the problem known as reflux. 

Companies that sell alkaline water and equipment for making it at home often claim that it tastes sweeter and is more satisfying than plain water. Some say that the presence of minerals such as calcium improve the taste of alkaline water. However, alkaline water with a pH level of 9 or higher may taste bitter.  The pH level of water can also change the taste of anything you use it in, like coffee or tea. The makers of devices called ionizers claim that these tools can produce high pH water without a bitter taste. 

You should think twice about drinking alkaline water if you use medications called proton pump inhibitors (such as esomeprazole and omeprazole) to treat heartburn caused by acid reflux. These drugs work by altering the pH level of your stomach. Adding alkaline water could further change the pH level and disturb normal levels of important minerals such as potassium. This could be a particular concern if you have kidney disease. 

Bottled alkaline water can cost twice as much or more per ounce than regular bottled water. Tap water is far less expensive than both. Given the relative lack of evidence that alkaline water offers significant health benefits, the extra expense is likely not worth it.

If you don’t want to pay the high price for bottled alkaline water, you can make it at home. Here are several options:

Stir it up: Combine 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda with 8 ounces of water. Stir well. Beware that baking soda contains sodium, so drinking a lot of this concoction could raise your levels. 

Buy drops: You can buy alkaline drops online, which you simply add to water. Be careful if you use alkaline drops. Spilling them on your skin can cause potentially serious burns. 

Get an ionizer: These devices increase the pH of tap water. They come in a variety of styles, including pitchers with cartridges that add minerals to water, making it more alkaline, to countertop machines that dispense alkaline water.

Alkaline water test

You can buy a digital pH test meter to determine the alkaline level of your tap water. However, simple litmus test strips like you probably learned to use in school will do the job, too. 

If you currently buy or make your own alkaline water, you may want to reconsider whether it’s worth the cost or effort. While proponents of alkaline water claim it has a variety of health benefits, the evidence is limited at best. However, drinking plenty of plain water from the tap every day has well-established upsides for your health. 

Is alkaline water good for you?

The scientific evidence that alkaline water is any better for your health than plain tap water is very limited. Until scientists know more, you should assume that alkaline water is about as good for you as any other type of water. 

Is alkaline water negatively charged?

Yes, alkaline water has a negative charge. 

Is tap water alkaline?

No, tap water tends to be neutral, meaning it’s neither alkaline or acidic.