FUELED Wellness + Nutrition | Alkaline Water: Beyond hydration

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Curious about alkaline water? Here’s a concise, evidence-based look at what alkaline water (pH ≥ 8) may—and may not—do for your health.

If the higher-pH water (pH ≈ 8-9) has piqued your curiosity, here’s a crisp rundown – concise and evidence-based – on potential benefits of naturally alkaline mineral water.

Brand Matters: Naturally Alkaline vs. Ionized

Sponsored
• Evamor is a locally single-sourced artesian water that comes out of the aquifer at a pH between 8.8 and 9.1, with naturally occurring bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium and silica.
• “Ionized” waters get their pH boost from running the water (typically tap water) through an electric filter; the mineral profile can vary widely.
• Check that the pH is measured after bottling.

What the Science Says

• Hydration + acid-base balance: A 2023 randomized-controlled trial found that drinking 1.5–2 L/day of bicarbonate-rich mineral water for four weeks nudged blood & urine pH slightly more alkaline and lowered net acid load—no electrolyte disruption noted. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

• Bone support: Animal studies have shown that alkaline water preserves bone mineral density and modulates the gut–bone axis. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

• Reflux relief: A 2024 clinical-review notes that alkaline water (pH > 8) can deactivate pepsin and, when combined with a lower-acid diet, improves reflux. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Exercise recovery: A 2020 sports-nutrition review lists alkaline water (alongside protein + carb, beetroot and creatine) as a possible tool for buffering post-exercise acidosis – helpful for some athletes, though performance improvements vary. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How to incorporate it

• Everyday swap: Sub it 1-for-1 with your usual bottled or filtered water
• Reflux relief: Sip it with and after meals to help dilute acid and deactivate pepsin
• Workouts: Pair with sodium-containing electrolytes when sweat loss is high.

Fueled Wellness + Nutrition is powered by Evamor. Learn more at evamor.com.

Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD is a registered dietitian and nutrition journalist in New Orleans, and founder of the Eat Fit nonprofit restaurant initiative. Tune in to her podcast, FUELED | Wellness + Nutrition, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @MollyKimballRD. See more of Molly’s articles and TV segments at mollykimball.com, and download the Eat Fit mobile app to stay in the know about Eat Fit partners, new dishes, festivals, and more. To schedule a nutrition consult with Molly’s Lifestyle Nutrition team, email nutrition@ochsner.org.

The views, opinions, and recommendations expressed by Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD, are her own, provided for general educational purposes and not a substitute for personalized medical advice.

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