Highly Alkaline Water Stunts Growth in Rats Despite No Tissue Damage
- Authors
- M.E. Merne, K.J. Syrjanen, S.M. Syrjanen
- Journal
- International Journal of Experimental Pathology
- Year
- 2001
- DOI
- 10.1111/j.1365-2613.2001.iep0082-0213-x
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Neutral
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Finland
- Health Condition
- Growth Retardation
- Body System
- Digestive
TL;DR
Rats drinking very alkaline water had lower body weights and showed signs of stress in their mouth tissues, but no major tissue damage.
Key Finding
Long-term exposure to highly alkaline drinking water (pH 11.2-12) caused significant growth retardation in rats (up to 29% lower body weight) without causing visible damage to oral tissues or other organs examined.
Summary
Researchers gave rats highly alkaline drinking water (pH 11.2-12, made with calcium or sodium compounds) for 52 weeks to see if it caused damage to their mouths and bodies. The rats' mouths showed no visible damage and their cells didn't grow abnormally, but the treated rats weighed up to 29% less than control rats despite eating and drinking the same amounts. This suggests the alkaline water had some systemic (whole-body) effect that slowed growth, though the exact cause remains unclear.
Practical Takeaway
This is a rat study, so results may not directly apply to humans. The findings suggest that very high alkalinity in drinking water may have systemic effects beyond the mouth, but the mechanism is unknown. More research, including human studies, would be needed to understand whether alkaline water at these pH levels poses risks to people.
Abstract (excerpt)
Alkaline conditions in the oral cavity may be caused by a variety of stimuli, including tobacco products, antacids, alkaline drinking water or bicarbonate toothpaste. The effects of alkaline pH on oral mucosa have not been systematically studied. To assess the systemic (organ) and local (oral…