Alkaline Water Shows Heart Risks in Rat Study
INFLUENCE OF ALKALINE IONIZED WATER ON RAT ERYTHROCYTE HEXOKINASE ACTIVITY AND MYOCARDIUM
Research hubs: Cardiovascular System · Endocrine 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, Yoshihiro Kishikawa, Wataru Shirai
- Journal
- The Journal of Toxicological Sciences
- Year
- 1997
- PMID
- 9198011
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Water (Electrolysis)
- Duration
- 4 months
- Outcome
- Negative
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 23 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
Drinking alkaline ionized water (AKW) from before birth until 15 weeks old made young rats gain more weight and affected their blood cell metabolism and heart muscle, especially in males.
Key Finding
Alkaline ionized water increased metabolic enzyme activity and body weight in rats but also caused elevated blood potassium levels and heart muscle damage, particularly in males.
Summary
Researchers gave alkaline ionized water (water made alkaline through electrical treatment) to pregnant rats and their offspring up to 15 weeks of age, then compared them to rats given regular tap water. The rats drinking alkaline water gained more body weight and showed increased activity of an enzyme involved in energy production in their red blood cells. However, they also developed dangerously high potassium levels in their blood and showed signs of damage to heart muscle tissue, especially in males.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study raises safety concerns about long-term alkaline ionized water consumption, particularly regarding heart and electrolyte effects. However, this is animal research only, and results may not directly apply to humans. Anyone considering alkaline water should consult a healthcare provider, especially those with heart conditions or potassium metabolism issues.
Abstract (excerpt)
Alkaline ionized water (AKW) produced by the electrolysis of tap water (TPW) was given to pregnant rats throughout gestation. AKW was subsequently given to infants as a test group until 15 weeks old to determine changes in body and organ weights, erythrocyte hexokinase (HK) activity…