Alkaline water is good for health.

VerdictFalse

Checked against nih.gov, WHO

Alkaline water is not proven to give any health benefit. Its big health claims come from marketing, not from evidence.

What experts say

The body keeps its own acid balance steady, mainly with the help of the kidneys and lungs. What a person drinks does not change it.1
There is no direct link between the pH of drinking water and a person's health.3
There is almost no research on alkaline water for cancer. Telling people it prevents or cures cancer is not justified.2
In everyday life, alkaline water has not been shown to help with hydration, body functions, bones or immunity. The few results seen were in trained athletes who drank very large amounts while exercising.1
Drinking very large amounts of water can lower the salt in the body. This is a bigger risk for people who already have kidney disease, heart failure, or a problem with their body salts, or who are weak from another illness.1

Why people believe it

Alkaline water is sold with big promises and is shared widely on social media, so it sounds like a simple fix. A person cannot feel their own body's pH, so the claims are hard to check.

What to do

You do not need water with a special pH for your health.3
Do not spend money on alkaline water for health reasons. There is no proof it helps.1 2
If someone has kidney disease or heart failure, ask the doctor how much water is right for them.1
Do not use alkaline water to prevent or treat cancer.2