Alkaline Water Damages Heart Muscle in Pregnant Rats
Histopathological influence of alkaline ionized water on myocardial muscle of mother rats
Research hubs: Cardiovascular System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Toshi WATANABE, Wataru SHIRAI, In-Jen PAN, Youichi FUKDA, Eiji MURASUGI, Tsuneo SATO, Hiroshi KAMATA, Kazuhiro UWATOKO
- Journal
- The Journal of Toxicological Sciences
- Year
- 1999
- PMID
- 9922944
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Water (Electrolysis)
- Dose
- Alkaline ionized water from day zero of gestation to day 20 of lactation
- Duration
- 20 days
- Outcome
- Negative
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 6 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
Drinking alkaline ionized water during pregnancy and nursing caused heart damage in mother rats, similar to what was seen in their male offspring.
Key Finding
Prolonged consumption of alkaline ionized water during pregnancy and nursing caused significant damage to the heart muscle of mother rats, including cell infiltration, fluid accumulation, and scarring in the left ventricle.
Summary
This study examined whether alkaline ionized water (water made more alkaline through electrolysis) could damage the heart muscle of pregnant and nursing rats. Researchers gave pregnant rats alkaline ionized water from the start of pregnancy through 20 days of nursing, then examined their heart tissue. They found damage in the heart muscle including cell death, fluid-filled spaces, and scarring, similar to damage seen in their offspring. The damage may have caused potassium to leak from heart cells into the bloodstream.
Practical Takeaway
This is an animal-only study in rats, so findings may not directly apply to humans. The study suggests alkaline ionized water consumed during pregnancy and nursing periods may pose cardiovascular risks, but human research would be needed to determine if similar effects occur in people. Anyone considering alkaline ionized water during pregnancy or nursing should consult a healthcare provider.
Abstract (excerpt)
We have reported that a marked necrosis and subsequent fibrosis of myocardium occurred among male rats 15 weeks old given alkaline ionized water (AKW) during gestation and suckling periods, and after weaning. In this study, it was examined whether similar lesions would occur in mother rats which…