In this video, Dr. Robert Wright falsely claims that ionized water (alkaline water) has been “heavily studied” by scientists and the benefits of drinking alkaline water is life changing and will heal the body of cancer, yet there is no evidence to prove this claim. Dr. Wright is also seen promoting the sale of the Kangen Water Machine.
Alkaline water: a cure for cancer or a hoax?
For many people, social media and the internet can have a significant impact on their decisions. Alkaline water has been marketed as a health aid claiming it contains a “multitude of benefits” for those looking to be healthier or for others, searching for a cure for a disease, such as cancer. According to the Cleveland Clinic.org, the discussion around what alkaline water is and the claims made by marketers is not supported by science.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the use of any claims of health benefits relating to alkaline water and bone health due to insufficient evidence.
What is known about alkaline water is that it has the same chemical make up as bottled or tap water, only that it has a higher pH level making it alkaline (or less acidic). Marketers are now using this information to sell alkaline water machines (The Kangen Water Machine) to be used in your home and can cost up to $3,000-$5000.
What is Alkaline Water?
Alkaline water has a higher presence of hydrogen than plain or bottled water. Alkaline water is commonly produced by an “ionizer,” a device that changes the chemical composition of water. The idea is that an ionizer changes the pH level of water — which is naturally at a neutral pH of 7. This makes the water more alkaline and less acidic — raising its pH to 8, 9 or higher.
Watch this video about alkaline water and how it effects your body!
Let’s talk about alkaline water myths
- Improves digestion: once alkaline water hits your stomach, your gastric juices will neutralize it — it’s your stomachs job to balance the amount of acid that enters your body, therefore the high pH level of the alkaline water you just drank is immediately re-acidified.
- Improves hydration: drinking any amount of water will hydrate you; not the type of water.
- Prevents bone loss: there are no empirical studies showing that alkaline water has this benefit.
- Increases your blood’s mineral content: the high alkaline levels in the water are neutralized in the stomach and will not be absorbed in the bloodstream. It is instead released through the lungs during expiration.
- Slows aging: drinking water hydrates your skin, but no water of any kind will slow the aging process.
- Cures cancer: Marketers claim alkaline water works as an antioxidant to prevent cell damage that leads to disease. They also claim that alkaline waters’ high pH level properties will neutralize cancer cells because cancer cells thrive in acidic environments. These claims have not been properly tested in controlled scientific studies.
https://onlineedu.neit.edu/en422/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2023/11/50448770587_1c0c1d8136-1.jpg
Can Alkaline Water hurt you if you drink too much?
Drinking too much alkaline water can have adverse effects, such as imbalanced mineral levels in the bloodstream caused by excess hydrogen intake. In fact, having a diet that is near a neutral pH is the healthiest diet. Forcing an increased amount of pH in our bodies can cause more serious health issues to the kidneys and lungs.
In recent years, marketers have been contacting cancer patients to promote alkaline water making machines, which prompted oncologists to research the products. There have been many articles written about high pH diets and water, yet there is no evidence to support the claims.
ALKALINE WATER WILL NOT:
- Prevent cancer cells from forming in the body
- Stop tumors from continuing to grown
- Be successful as a treatment for cancer
- Cure you from your cancer
The Takeaway
Drinking water, whether it be tap, bottled, mineral or alkaline will all perform the same benefits. They will hydrate your body, promote healthy digestion, create healthier looking skin, and make you feel good. However, science has proven time and time again that alkaline water does not live up to its claims as being the cure all “super water drink”. Social media and influencers are marketing expensive brands of alkaline water and alkaline water machines to make a profit.
References
Bourne, D. (2021, October 13). The alkaline water myth. Science In Our Lives. https://ua.pressbooks.pub/pseudoscienceessays/chapter/the-alkaline-water-myth/
Fenton, T.R., & Huang, T. (2016). Systemic review of the association between dietary acid load, alkaline water and cancer. BMJ Open, 6(6), e010438.
https://doi-og.ezproxy.neit.edu/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010438
Ferre, C. (2013, May). Alkaline water: Miracle or hoax? – ohsawa macrobiotics. ohsawamamacrobiotics.coom. https://ohsawamacrobiotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/alkaline-water-cf.pdf
Bottled Alkaline Water — Don’t Believe the Marketing Hype. (2020, September 9). Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/alkaline-water-dont-believe-the-marketing-hype/
Kangen Water. (2020). Kangen water for cancer patient. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/_avfbI0X7wE?si=QApTPRUqY4jJxVdV
Healthline. (2016). Exposing The Alkaline Diet Myth. [Video].YouTube. https://youtu.be/PUWSeeL3nG8?si=uiPDOS21t1qpR7Dz