Alkaline Water Boosts Athletic Performance in Basketball Players
- Authors
- , Adam Maszczyk
- Journal
- International Journal of Food and Nutritional Science
- Year
- 2018
- DOI
- 10.15436/2377-0619.18.1754
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Poland
- Health Condition
- Exercise-Induced Acidosis
- Body System
- Musculoskeletal
TL;DR
Drinking high pH (alkaline) water improved the performance and recovery of professional basketball players by better regulating their body's acid levels during intense exercise.
Key Finding
Basketball players who consumed highly alkaline water for six weeks showed increased blood and urine pH levels and improved anaerobic performance by an average of 0.71 seconds compared to drinking regular water.
Summary
This study examined whether drinking highly alkaline water (water with a higher pH level) could improve athletic performance and blood chemistry in 14 professional basketball players. After six weeks of drinking 2.5-3.0 liters of alkaline water daily, the players showed increases in blood and urine pH levels, and performed about 0.71 seconds faster on an anaerobic endurance test (a test measuring short, intense exercise).
Practical Takeaway
While this small study suggests alkaline water may support athletic performance in basketball players, the results are preliminary and the study had limitations (small sample size, no details on how long the study lasted). More research in larger groups and different athletic populations would be needed to confirm whether these findings apply broadly to other athletes or non-athletes interested in hydrogen water.
Abstract (excerpt)
Many researchers have unequivocally demonstrated that water of higher pH has a positive effect on the human body. In terms of undertaken research, the adjustment of acid-base balance during anaerobic effort, a decrease in the concentration of free radicals as well as the improvement of connective…