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In a recent study published in The Journal of Urology, researchers from the University of California, Irvine, report that bottled water marketed as “alkaline water” may not be an effective alternative for preventing recurrent urinary stones. Alkaline water, with a higher pH (typically 8 to 10) compared to tap water, has gained popularity in recent years, with claims of various health benefits, including improved hydration and increased urinary pH.
The study aimed to assess the potential of high pH water to prevent urinary stones, especially in comparison to prescription drugs like potassium citrate tablets, commonly prescribed for stone prevention. Despite the increasing consumption and sales of alkaline water, the study suggests that it cannot replace prescription drugs for this purpose.
“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,” explained Roshan M. Patel, one of the researchers involved in the study.
The researchers measured the pH of five commercially available alkaline water products and reviewed published data on other drinks and over-the-counter products with the potential to raise urinary pH. The tested alkaline waters had a pH around 10, but their alkali content was deemed “trivial” compared to the body’s typical metabolic acid production.
The study found that some other products, such as orange juice, have a more significant potential to increase pH, with an alkali content of up to 15 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Orange juice also showed the lowest estimated cost to achieve the target alkali concentration of 30 mEq per day.
Baking soda was identified as one of the most effective and cost-efficient alternatives, although concerns related to sodium content were noted. Additionally, newer products dissolvable in water were seen as providing useful and affordable options.
The researchers stressed the need for clinical trials to further explore the options for raising urinary pH and acknowledged the limitations of their laboratory study. The findings may guide the selection of treatments, including beverages and over-the-counter products, for preventing recurrent urinary stones. As the popularity of alkaline water continues to rise, understanding its limitations is crucial for informed healthcare decisions.
