PH Balanced Bullshit? : Alkaline Water

I was listening to one of my favorite afternoon AM talk radio shows on the drive home today (Mason on AM1200 WCHB.)  His guest was Dr. Keefa (According to her website: Dr. Keefa's studies and practices of Wholistic health care date back to 1977 and stretch across the globe - encompassing both Eastern and Western healing arts.)  She was promoting Alkaline water and it's positive benefits.  And she also mentioned that she sells it in her store; and that her store is currently expanding due to customer demand.  

At first my inner health nut was slightly intrigued by her claims of the PH Balancing powers of the alkaline water and its healing powers to get rid of carcinogenic agents in the body.  According to her the body does not eliminate these things on its own -- (she said more about eliminating cancers, tumors and other ailments but I cannot correctly quote it all.)

Then my Inner Skeptic kicked in after she mentioned her store for the 8th time in a 3 minute segment.  Is there something more to this Alkaline Water? Or was her guest spot on Mason's show free publicity for her health food store? 

As you know I do not do thing's blindly; I investigate, explore, research and discover.  So I decided to research some reputable doctor's websites as well as the Cleveland Clinic's and the Mayo Clinic's websites for answers.  Here is I found:

Is Alkaline Water Better For You Than Regular Water?

Alkaline water has a higher pH level than does tap water. Some proponents say that alkaline water can neutralize acid in your bloodstream, boost your energy level and metabolism, and help your body absorb nutrients more effectively. Others say that alkaline water can help you resist disease and slow the aging process. However, researchers haven't verified these claims.

Some research does suggest that alkaline water may slow bone loss, but further study is needed to determine if the positive effects can be maintained over the long term or influence bone mineral density overall. (Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.)

Does Alkaline Water Promote Health?

Home water ionizers, which I've seen offered for sale on the internet, are just the latest twist in the ongoing effort to promote the notion that alkaline water is somehow protective of your health. The underlying idea is that you can prevent disease by balancing your body's pH. Promoters claim that alkaline water is energizing, hydrates the body more effectively than regular water, improves the taste of food when used in cooking, promotes "regularity," helps the body absorb nutrients more effectively, and on and on. I've even seen claims that it can cure everything from obesity and high blood pressure to breast cancer.

None of these claims are true. Furthermore, your body needs absolutely no help in adjusting its pH. Normally, the pH of blood and most body fluids is near seven, which is close to neutral. This is under very tight biological control because all of the chemical reactions that maintain life depend on it. Unless you have serious respiratory or kidney problems, body pH will remain in balance no matter what you eat or drink. As for water, you should consider the fact that alkaline water is common throughout the western states but to my knowledge it has not protected anyone from the diseases and disorders that occur elsewhere in the U.S.  The health claims for water ionizers and for alkaline water are bogus. Save your money.  (Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D.)

Does Alkaline Drinking Water Have Health Benefits?

Ads and promotional materials on alkaline drinking water claim that alkaline water helps neutralize acids and remove toxins from the body. Some even go to the extent of asserting that it retards the aging process and prevents cancer. Unfortunately, there is not a single iota of scientific evidence to support any of these claims.

...Thus, alkaline drinking water cannot change the pH in any part of the body; much less can it have any beneficial health effects.

The claims of alkaline water advocates are clearly outrageous. Yet, they have been successful in convincing many people including you to replace their drinking water with it.

But if it is any consolation for those who drink it, alkaline water apparently has no adverse effects, except on one’s wallet.

But why do some people swear they feel better when they drink alkaline instead of tap water? The answer is placebo effect, a very remarkable phenomenon where an otherwise ineffective treatment alleviates the symptoms and improves the feeling of wellbeing of someone who believes the treatment work. (Eduardo Gonzalez, M.D. Click For Full Article)

Other Notable Comments About Alkaline Water:

"You hear a lot these days about alkaline or ionized water. In short and based on actual science, raising the alkalinity of water doesn't do much for you...There is not one mention of this ''Amazing Drug'' on any government medical website such as the FDA, CDC, EPA or any others. There are no clinical studies proving any of the claims made by the salespeople. " - Source: www.aspwater.com

“As far as the health benefits claimed for alkaline ionised water are concerned, these seem to be based on some serious misunderstandings of chemistry and physiology.” - Source: Dr, David A Bender – Dept of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University College London

Personally I recommend doing a HIGH LEVEL of Research before adding Alkaline Water to your dietary lifestyle.  The positive benefits seem to have negative consequences in the long run.  As for me, well the final answer is : NOPE, NO WAY JOSE! I will not be buying, drinking or trying to produce in mass quantities ANY sort of Alkaline Water. 

Further Read: Alkaline Water: Good Health or Junk Science? By Jan Roberts CLICK HERE for her Full Article

 Xoxo,

BG!