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Who should not drink alkaline water?

Who Should Not Drink Alkaline Water?
Alkaline water has gained popularity in recent years, touted for its supposed health benefits, including improved hydration and enhanced energy levels. However, not everyone should consider incorporating it into their daily routine. Here’s a closer look at who should avoid drinking alkaline water and why.
Individuals with Kidney Issues
One of the primary groups that should steer clear of alkaline water are individuals with kidney problems. The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining the body’s acid-base balance. Drinking alkaline water can potentially disrupt this balance, leading to complications. For those with compromised kidney function, the additional alkaline load may exacerbate their condition, increasing the risk of metabolic alkalosis, a state where the body becomes too alkaline.
People with Gastrointestinal Disorders
Individuals suffering from gastrointestinal disorders, such as acid reflux or peptic ulcers, should also be cautious. Alkaline water can neutralize stomach acid, which is essential for digestion and protecting against harmful bacteria. This alteration in acidity can lead to digestive issues and may worsen symptoms for those already experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort.
Pregnant Women
Pregnant women are often advised to be cautious about their dietary choices, and alkaline water is no exception. While hydration is vital during pregnancy, the effects of alkaline water on fetal development are not well-studied. The potential for altering the body’s natural pH balance could pose risks, making it advisable for pregnant women to consult with healthcare providers before consuming alkaline water.
Individuals with Certain Metabolic Conditions
People with specific metabolic conditions, such as diabetes or those on medications that affect their body’s pH levels, should also be wary. The consumption of alkaline water may interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications or exacerbate existing metabolic issues. For instance, those managing diabetes need to maintain a careful balance of their body’s chemistry, and introducing alkaline water could complicate this.
General Population
Interestingly, even healthy individuals might not benefit from alkaline water as much as they think. Research indicates that plain water is typically sufficient for hydration and that alkaline water does not provide additional energy or health benefits. The Mayo Clinic emphasizes that for most people, plain water is usually best, suggesting that the hype surrounding alkaline water may not be justified.
Conclusion
While alkaline water may appeal to many for its purported health benefits, it is essential to recognize that it is not suitable for everyone. Individuals with kidney issues, gastrointestinal disorders, pregnant women, and those with specific metabolic conditions should approach alkaline water with caution. Ultimately, consulting with a healthcare professional is the best course of action for anyone considering a significant change in their hydration habits.

What are alkaline water’s side effects?

Metabolic alkalosis is a condition that can arise from a disruption of the body’s normal pH through the consumption of alkaline water. This can provoke the emergence of serious health issues such as confusion, vomiting, nausea, hand tremors, muscle twitching, and tingling in the hands, face, or feet.

Who cannot drink alkaline water?

People with kidney disease or other types of impaired kidney function should avoid drinking alkaline water without supervision, especially if it is ionized.

What medications interact with alkaline water?

Who Should Not Drink Alkaline Water? You should think twice about drinking alkaline water if you use medications called proton pump inhibitors (such as esomeprazole and omeprazole) to treat heartburn caused by acid reflux. These drugs work by altering the pH level of your stomach.

What is the healthiest water to drink?

Which type of water is the healthiest? Mineral water and alkaline water may be some of the healthiest types of water because they provide your body with essential nutrients, but simply drinking safe, uncontaminated tap water, and drinking a sufficient amount of it should be your number one priority.

Is alkaline water bad for high blood pressure?

Most people do not need to drink alkaline water for its benefits. However, there is evidence to suggest that alkaline water may benefit people with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and acid reflux (GERD).

Is it OK to drink alkaline water with high blood pressure?

According to a study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, scientists in Shanghai found that three to six months after drinking alkaline water, people with high blood pressure (hypertension), high blood sugar (diabetes), and high blood lipids (cholesterol) had lower measures in each of these …

Is alkaline water hard on kidneys?

“While alkaline water products have a higher pH than regular water, they have a negligible alkali content, which suggests that they can’t raise urine pH enough to affect the development of kidney and other urinary stones,” says UCI Health urologist Dr. Roshan M. Patel, the paper’s senior author.

How to tell if your body is alkaline or acidic?

Urinalysis: A urinalysis can check the proportion of acids being eliminated in your urine. Urine pH: This test will measure the acidity and alkalinity of your urine.

Is alkaline water hard on the kidneys?

“While alkaline water products have a higher pH than regular water, they have a negligible alkali content, which suggests that they can’t raise urine pH enough to affect the development of kidney and other urinary stones,” says UCI Health urologist Dr. Roshan M. Patel, the paper’s senior author.

What are the negatives of alkaline water?

There are possible disadvantages from drinking alkaline water with pH levels above 9. The water will likely have a bitter taste. And for people who regularly take stomach acid production blockers called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to maintain a higher stomach pH, drinking strong alkaline water could be dangerous.

Natasha Lunn

Tash is an IBCLC and Business Coach helping fellow IBCLCs create fun, profitable businesses that are more than just an expensive hobby. Before becoming an IBCLC and starting her private practice - The Boobala, Tash graduated as an Osteopath in 2008 and has been in Private Practice in South West Sydney. She was also a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor and Community Educator with the Australian Breastfeeding Association for 6 years. Through her business, Your Lactation Biz, Tash coaches and creates products to help new and seasoned IBCLCs build businesses that suit their personality and lifestyle.

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