Is Alkaline Water Good for Diabetics?

Ever wondered if alkaline water is good for diabetics?

Yes, it is a valid question. Alkaline water is a high-pH drink with various health claims. Some even claim it neutralizes glucose in our bloodstream by making the blood less acidic.

But does it actually hold answers for those with diabetes? Or is it just another passing trend?

We will take a good look into this today. Exploring scientific research, health claims, and expert advice, we aim to answer all these questions–once and for all!

Ready for the journey? Let’s dive right in.

Benefits of Drinking Alkaline Water

Alkaline water is abundant in alkaline minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium, or potassium. Due to these minerals, it has a higher pH than regular drinking water.

The pH is a logarithmic scale. It measures how acidic or alkaline (basic) a solution is. Alkaline waters often have a pH between 8 and 10, while pure drinking water typically has a neutral pH of 7. So, it is naturally less acidic than regular water.

Alkaline water also has a negative oxidation-reduction potential (ORP). Wondering what ORP is? ORP is simply the ability of water to behave as an antioxidant. A more negative ORP value means more anti-oxidizing activity. [1]

Proponents of alkaline water claim many health benefits of it. They say it has detoxifying and anti-ageing properties and can protect against chronic diseases like cancer. Some also claim that it can neutralize the acid in our bodies. However, scientific evidence to support these claims is lacking. [2, 3]

Up to now, only a few small-scale studies reported the beneficial effects of alkaline water. In fact, a 2022 systematic review concluded that current research does not justify the mass use of alkaline water. The review, however, reported some health benefits of alkaline water in small studies. But the overall evidence was not enough to recommend it to the public. [4]

Will Alkaline Water Lower My Glucose Level?

There is no clear-cut answer to this question. Several small studies indicate that drinking alkaline water might help in glycemic control. However, the level of evidence is still low. Scientists need to do more research to confirm this.

Proponents of alkaline water, however, make several claims about its blood glucose-lowering effects:

• Improved insulin sensitivity. Some claim that alkaline water can improve the body’s ability to utilize insulin for glycemic control. A small 2017 study of 28 diabetic people seemed to back this up. The authors found that drinking alkaline water over pH 9.5 reduced blood sugar levels. [5] However, the study was of poor quality and had some serious flaws. So, don’t get too excited! We need more evidence to confirm this claim.

• Neutralized blood glucose. This one is another popular claim. It proposes that too much glucose in the blood makes it more acidic, potentially leading to diabetes. And we can prevent this from happening by drinking alkaline water. Because alkaline water is less acidic and has a negative ORP, it might help neutralize the blood sugar level. [6]

• Reduced blood viscosity. Alkaline water may help decrease blood viscosity after exercise. This means blood flow within our bodies will improve, delivering oxygen and nutrients to cells faster. For people with diabetes, improved blood flow is beneficial as they often suffer from vascular complications. [7]

Dangers of Drinking Too Much Alkaline Water

Alkaline water is generally safe to drink. There is currently no evidence showing its severe side effects. However, since anything in excess is unhealthy, we can say the same for alkaline water.

• Metabolic alkalosis. Drinking too much alkaline water can lead to a condition called metabolic alkalosis. [8] This condition causes nausea, confusion, hand tremors, muscle twitching, and tingling sensations.

• pH imbalance. Altered body pH balance is another possible side effect of drinking an excess of alkaline water. But such a pH imbalance is unlikely as the body can self-regulate this balance to achieve homeostasis. In fact, if the gastric environment becomes too alkaline, it can produce more hydrochloric acid to maintain the natural pH balance. [9]

• Digestion problems. Some research suggests that alkaline water may interfere with drug absorption. If someone consumes it in large quantities, their stomach may get too alkaline. This over-alkaline gastric state could absorb acidic medications faster while doing the opposite with basic meds. A similar effect is seen with heartburn drugs, which make the stomach more alkaline.

For people with diabetes, such side effects could make matters worse. But this does not mean that only alkaline water can cause harm. Almost all types of water come with their own set of setbacks. Diabetic patients should, therefore, take a balanced approach when incorporating alkaline water into their hydration routine.

Is Alkaline Water Better than Purified Water for Diabetes Management?

No, the current evidence does not give superiority to any of these water varieties for diabetes management. Both have some distinct advantages.

Purified water is a healthy choice for hydration. It is a type of water that undergoes a filtration process. The filtered water is free from impurities, contaminants, and harmful substances.

Alkaline water can come from both natural and artificial sources. Water that passes over rocks, such as springs, becomes alkaline naturally by picking up minerals. However, the alkaline water we often buy is artificially made through a process known as electrolysis. [10]

This chemical process uses a device called an ionizer to make water more alkaline. When connected with an electric current, an ionizer splits acidic and alkaline molecules of water. Makers then bottle the alkaline water and add certain minerals to raise the pH level.

Ionized alkaline water, however, has some safety concerns. It can contain contaminants if the original water is not purified before ionization. Plus, drinking ionized water with a pH over 9.8 regularly may lead to hyperkalemia or high potassium levels. Some evidence suggests that it might also interfere with how we absorb nutrients. [11]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much alkaline water can I drink a day?

We currently have no set guideline on how much alkaline water one can drink per day. Experts generally recommend drinking up to 8 glasses of water (alkaline or otherwise) daily. However, individual needs may vary from person to person. It is thus best to consult with a healthcare provider first.

Is ionized water good for diabetes?

Ionized alkaline water may offer some health benefits to diabetes patients, such as improved insulin sensitivity or blood flow. But there is still limited evidence to support these claims. Also, as discussed above, regular drinking of ionized alkaline water may raise some safety concerns. Diabetic patients should always talk to their doctors before adding it to their hydration routine.

Does alkaline water improve my high blood pressure?

Some people claim alkaline water may help lower blood pressure. But there is still no solid scientific evidence to back this up. Stick to proven lifestyle modifications and medications for managing high blood pressure.

Is Essentia Water good for diabetics?

Essentia Water is a US brand of alkaline water with a pH of 9.5. It may benefit those with diabetes due to its high pH level. However, we need more evidence to say anything for sure. Also, managing diabetes is like solving a puzzle. Hydration is just a piece of it.

Final Thoughts

Alkaline water might be helpful for people with diabetes. But it is still too early to make any firm conclusion. Although some small-scale studies reported the health benefits of it, more evidence is needed.

Do not consider alkaline water as a cure for diabetes. It is just a means to help manage your condition. In fact, effective diabetes management includes a balance of everything, from diet to regular exercise and medication. So, always consult a healthcare provider to guide your health choices.

References

1. LeBaron TW, Sharpe R. ORP should not be used to estimate or compare concentrations of aqueous H2: An in silico analysis and narrative synopsis. Frontiers in Food Science and Technology. 2022 Oct 7;2:1007001.
2. Tanaka Y, Saihara Y, Izumotani K, Nakamura H. Daily ingestion of alkaline electrolyzed water containing hydrogen influences human health, including gastrointestinal symptoms. Medical gas research. 2018 Oct;8(4):160.
3. Mousa HA. Health Effects of Alkaline Diet and Water, Reduction of Digestive-tract Bacterial Load, and Earthing. Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine. 2016 Sep 2;22.
4. Anantharamu T, Vishnuprasad R, Sinha S, Santhanalakshmi D, Pradhan S, Salmani F. Does much hyped alkaline electrolyzed water provide health benefits? A systematic review and narrative synthesis. International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering. 2022 Jan 1;11(1):12.
5. Siswantoro E, Purwanto NH. Effectiveness of alkali water consumption to reduce blood sugar levels in diabetes mellitus type 2. Journal of Diabetes Mellitus. 2017 Oct 11;7(04):249.
6. Koufman JA, Johnston N. Potential benefits of pH 8.8 alkaline drinking water as an adjunct in the treatment of reflux disease. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology. 2012 Jul;121(7):431-4.
7. Weidman J, Holsworth Jr RE, Brossman B, Cho DJ, St. Cyr J, Fridman G. Effect of electrolyzed high-pH alkaline water on blood viscosity in healthy adults. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2016 Nov 28;13(1):45.
8. Kermond R, Carter S, Quinlan C. A child presents with acute kidney injury, alkalosis and hypercalcaemia—a new-age cause for a historical syndrome: Answers. Pediatric Nephrology. 2022 Aug;37(8):1807-10.
9. Hansen TH, Thomassen MT, Madsen ML, Kern T, Bak EG, Kashani A, Allin KH, Hansen T, Pedersen O. The effect of drinking water pH on the human gut microbiota and glucose regulation: results of a randomized controlled cross-over intervention. Scientific reports. 2018 Nov 9;8(1):16626.
10. Li L, Laan PC, Yan X, Cao X, Mekkering MJ, Zhao K, Ke L, Jiang X, Wu X, Li L, Xue L. High‐Rate Alkaline Water Electrolysis at Industrially Relevant Conditions Enabled by Superaerophobic Electrode Assembly. Advanced Science. 2023 Feb;10(4):2206180.
11. LeBaron TW, Sharpe R, Ohno K. Electrolyzed–Reduced Water: Review II: Safety Concerns and Effectiveness as a Source of Hydrogen Water. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022 Nov 22;23(23):14508.