Alkaline Water Shows Promise for Treating Kidney-Related Acid Buildup

TL;DR

Ionized alkaline water was found to significantly improve acid-base balance in animal models with metabolic acidosis caused by kidney problems or gastrointestinal issues.

Key Finding

Ionized alkaline water significantly improved acid-base balance in animal models of metabolic acidosis caused by kidney failure or urinary diversion, with improvements comparable to or better than conventional dialysis approaches.

Summary

Researchers tested ionized alkaline water (water made alkaline through electrolysis) as a treatment for metabolic acidosis—a condition where the body becomes too acidic—in dogs and rats with kidney problems or urinary diversion (rerouted urine). When animals drank alkaline water or received it during dialysis (a kidney-failure treatment), their blood acid levels improved more than when they received regular water. The study suggests alkaline water might help manage this serious condition safely, but human studies are still needed.

Practical Takeaway

This is an animal-only study, so its findings cannot be directly applied to humans yet. While the results are promising and suggest alkaline water may be safe, the authors themselves call for human clinical trials before any therapeutic use can be recommended. Anyone with metabolic acidosis should work with their doctor on proven treatments rather than relying on alkaline water alone.

Abstract (excerpt)

Metabolic acidosis can occur as a result of either the accumulation of endogenous acids or loss of bicarbonate from the gastrointestinal tract or the kidney, which represent common causes of metabolic acidosis. The appropriate treatment of acute metabolic acidosis has been very controversial…

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