Many studies have reported potential health benefits associated with the consumption of alkaline water. Research suggests that alkaline ionized water may positively influence metabolic health, digestion, hydration, longevity, and skin condition.
Animal studies have shown that oral administration of alkaline ionized water can reduce blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. These effects were observed in mice induced with metabolic disorders. The improvement in metabolic function was linked to a reduction in free radical production. Alkaline water was also found to protect pancreatic beta cells from oxidative damage. These cells are essential for maintaining normal metabolic processes.
Additionally, studies indicate that alkaline water may help reduce the rate of weight gain in obese mice. This effect is thought to occur through regulation of cholesterol homeostasis, which plays a role in fat metabolism.
In patients with end-stage renal disease, alkaline water has been shown to reduce certain adverse side effects of hemodialysis. One of the key observed benefits was a reduction in excessive free radical generation during treatment.
Alkaline water has also been studied in cases of urinary bladder stones. Findings suggest that it can accelerate the excretion of melamine from the body. This action helps prevent melamine accumulation in the bladder and may improve pathological conditions associated with bladder stone formation.
Because alkaline water has a higher pH, it has a natural ability to neutralize stomach acid. This property makes it a potential option for managing gastrointestinal tract disorders such as gastric hyperacidity and diarrhea.
In cases of laryngopharyngeal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease, alkaline water has been shown to irreversibly inactivate pepsin. Pepsin is an enzyme responsible for tissue damage during acid reflux. Neutralizing stomach acid helps reduce its activity.
In healthy adults experiencing exercise-induced dehydration, electrolyzed alkaline water has been shown to reduce high-shear blood viscosity. This measurement reflects the viscous properties of blood and is associated with hydration status.
Interestingly, long-term consumption of alkaline water has also been linked to increased longevity in animal studies. Mice given alkaline water demonstrated higher survival rates compared to those consuming regular water.
Beyond drinking, bathing in alkaline water has also shown skin-related benefits. Studies in mice indicate reduced UV-induced skin damage. This effect is associated with maintaining balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.
In case of exercise-induced dehydration in healthy adults, electrolyzed alkaline water has shown to reduce the high-shear blood viscosity, a coefficient to define viscous properties of blood.
Interestingly, consumption of alkaline water has also shown beneficial effects in promoting longevity. Mice administered with alkaline water have shown better survival rate as compared to their counterparts that are administered with regular water.
Besides potential health benefits of drinking alkaline water, bathing with it also improves skin-related problems. For example, bathing mice with alkaline water has shown to reduce skin damage associated with UV radiation by maintaining the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.
