6 Easy Ways to Make Water Alkaline

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Learn about the benefits of drinking alkaline water

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Making Alkaline Water

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Determining Your Water’s pH

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Alkaline Water Benefits

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Alkaline Water Risks

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Alkaline water, or water with a pH higher than 7, is believed to increase your resistance to diseases, reduce aging, and increase your energy levels. While there’s little evidence backing up the benefits of alkaline water, you might prefer its taste and end up drinking more water, which is never a bad thing.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source} In this article, we’ll show you several simple ways to alkalize your water and go over the potential benefits and risks of drinking it.

Things You Should Know

Stir ½-1 tsp (3-6 g) of baking soda into 8 oz (237 mL) of water to raise its pH. Or, infuse your water with slices of lemon or cucumber.
Use an alkaline water filter pitcher to raise your water’s pH and remove impurities. Or, install a water ionizer machine on your kitchen faucet.
There is little scientific evidence supporting the benefits of alkaline water. While alkaline water is safe to drink, it can sometimes cause an upset stomach.

Section 1 of 4:

Easy Ways to Make Alkaline Water at Home

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1
Add ½ to 1 tsp (3-6 g) of baking soda into 8 oz (237 mL) of water. Baking soda is a natural cooking ingredient that’s also highly alkaline. With its pH of 9, it easily raises your water’s pH. Simply pour ½ to 1 tsp (3-6 g) of baking soda into an 8 oz (237 mL) glass of water and stir or shake the glass well to fully combine the baking soda and water.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Drink no more than 1 glass of baking soda each day. Ingesting large quantities of baking soda can be toxic and cause vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle weakness.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source}
- Do not drink water alkalized with baking soda if you are on a low-sodium diet for health reasons. Baking soda is high in sodium.
2
Squeeze lemon juice into an 8 oz (237 mL) glass of water. While lemons are very acidic and have a low pH between 2 and 3, your body metabolizes them as an alkaline food. So, making lemon water might alkalize water when you drink it.^{[4]XResearch source} Simply slice or squeeze half a lemon into an 8 oz (237 mL) glass of water for a tasty, refreshing drink.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- Or, make a large batch of lemon water by thinly slicing 2 lemons into 2 quarts (1.9 L) of water. Chill the water in the fridge for 2 to 4 hours to give the lemons time to infuse into the water.
- While lemons do cause your urine to be more alkaline, there is no clear evidence that suggests lemons alter your body’s pH.
- To make your lemon water more mineral-rich, add 1 tbsp (17 g) of salt.
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Like lemons, cucumbers are processed as an alkaline food when you eat them.^{[6]XResearch source} Making cucumber water might be a way to alkalize your water. Just chop 1 cucumber into thin slices and add them to a pitcher. Pour 2 quarts (1.9 L) of water on top and place the pitcher in the fridge for 2 to 4 hours before drinking.
4
Pour pH drops into an 8 oz (237 mL) glass of water. Alkaline or pH drops are a concentrated liquid made of minerals that raise the pH levels of your water to alkalize it. Just follow the directions on your bottle of pH drops to determine how many drops to pour into a regular, 8 oz (237 mL) glass of water.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceU.S. National Capital Poison CenterIndependent poison control center providing resources to prevent poisonings and save livesGo to source}
- While pH drops increase the alkalinity of your water, they do not filter out chemicals in your water, like chlorine or fluoride.
- If you want to get rid of the impurities and chemicals in your water, use a water filter pitcher. Or, distill your own water.
An alkaline or ionizing water filter pitcher uses a mineralized filter to raise the pH levels in your water. These filters work similarly to traditional water filter pitchers, where you simply pour in the water and wait for it to pass through the filter. The series of filters in the pitcher saturate your water with alkaline minerals while also removing impurities.^{[8]XResearch source}
6
Install a water ionizer machine. A water ionizer is a small machine that you typically attach to a faucet in your home. The machine separates your tap water into alkaline and acidic water through a process called electrolysis, where an electrical charge changes the composition of the water. While that might sound complicated, using a water ionizer is as easy as selecting how alkaline you want your water to come out of your tap.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Water ionizer machines are typically expensive and cost upwards of $500. If you plan to drink alkaline water often, buying an ionizer can be a more cost-effective option in the long run.
- Don’t discard the acidic water the ionizer produces. Use it to make homemade cleaning solutions or to wash your body, as acidic water can kill bacteria.

Section 2 of 4:

Determining Your Water’s pH

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1
Check your water’s pH before you alkalize it. Water is typically around 7 on the pH scale, meaning it’s neutral. It's neither acidic (lower than a pH of 7) nor alkaline (higher than a pH of 7). However, the pH of drinking water can be slightly acidic or alkaline depending on the minerals and chemicals found in your area’s water. So, testing your water’s pH tells you if you have acidic, neutral, or alkaline water and how much you need to adjust it.^{[10]XTrustworthy SourceU.S. Geological SurveyU.S. government agency responsible for conducting scientific research on the nation's land, natural resources, and natural disastersGo to source}
- In the United States, public drinking water is regulated to stay between 6.5 to 8.5 pH.^{[11]XTrustworthy SourceUnited States Environmental Protection AgencyIndependent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practicesGo to source}
2
Dip a pH strip into your water and compare it to the kit’s pH chart. Fill a glass with water and then insert a pH strip from a pH testing kit into the water. Hold the strip in the water according to the kit’s instructions, which is typically between 1 to 20 seconds. Then, compare the color of the pH strip to the colors on the pH chart that came with your kit.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Alkaline water is between 8 and 9 pH.^{[13]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- If your tap water is below 8 or 9 pH, use any of the methods below to alkalize your water.

Section 3 of 4:

Are there any health benefits to drinking alkaline water?

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There is little scientific evidence backing alkaline water’s benefits. Many people tout alkaline water’s ability to raise your blood’s pH levels to help prevent illnesses like cancer, reduce inflammation, increase energy levels, and slow down aging. Because your body naturally maintains a tightly regulated pH between 7.35 to 7.45, drinking alkaline water is unlikely to affect your body’s pH levels or drastically improve your health.^{[14]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source} However, some studies suggest that:
- Drinking alkaline water can improve bone density and strength.^{[15]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
- Alkaline water can reduce acid reflux symptoms.^{[16]XResearch source}
- Drinking alkaline water can reduce blood pressure and improve sleep quality.^{[17]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
- Your body’s rigid pH range is important because it keeps your cells healthy and ensures processes like respiration run smoothly. So, trying to significantly increase or decrease your body’s pH can actually be unhealthy.^{[18]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
2
Simply drinking more water can improve your health. Alkaline water gives you all of the same benefits as drinking plain water straight from the tap. Drinking enough water each day improves blood flow, aids digestion, lubricates your joints, cleanses your mouth, and keeps your skin plump, clear, and wrinkle-free. Plus, it keeps all of your organs working in tip-top shape.^{[19]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- In general, men need to consume 125 oz (3.7 L) of water each day while women need to consume 91 oz (2.7 L).

Section 4 of 4:

Are there any risks to drinking alkaline water?

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Drinking alkaline water is considered safe and not very different from drinking regular water. In some rare cases, ingesting too much alkaline water or water that is very alkaline can lead to an upset stomach, nausea, or even vomiting.^{[20]XTrustworthy SourceU.S. National Capital Poison CenterIndependent poison control center providing resources to prevent poisonings and save livesGo to source}
2
Alkaline water might affect the absorption of certain medications. If you take any prescription medications, talk to your doctor before adding alkaline water to your diet. Drinking alkaline water can potentially alter the pH of your digestive system. This might increase or decrease the speed at which you absorb your medication, which can change your medication’s effects.^{[21]XResearch source}

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What are the side effects of alkaline water?
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If you consume too much baking soda as part of drinking alkaline water, this can cause you to feel sick (nausea, maybe even vomiting). Another possible side effect of alkaline water if consumed in high amounts is that it that creates too much alkalinity and you may experience side effects like tingling, confusion, muscle twitches and hand tremors. Stick to drinking this type of water in moderation as a part of a healthy diet. If you have any concerns, speak with your doctor.
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Do it yourself alkaline water?
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Yes, you can make alkaline water yourself. An easy method is to stir ⅛ tablespoon of baking soda into 1 cup (240ml) of water. Stir to combine, chill, then drink. Or, you can use pH drops and add these according to the package instructions. The article above provides other methods for making your own alkaline water, including using additives and filtration systems.
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Can baking soda make alkaline water?
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Yes, baking soda can be used to make alkaline water. To make one version using baking soda: Add ⅛ tablespoon baking soda to 8 fl oz glass of water. Shake if it’s in a water bottle or simply stir with a spoon if you’re making the alkaline water in a glass. Serve immediately.
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Use a pH testing kit to check the pH of your water after alkalizing it. This ensures that you are drinking alkaline water.
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Alkaline water is a great means for buffering the pH of drinking water, which is often surprisingly acidic (particularly with bottled water)! Dentin can dissolve at 6.4 and below while enamel dissolves at 5.5 and below.

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Warnings

Do not drink more than 1 glass of baking soda water each day or add more than the suggested amount of baking soda to your water. Ingesting too much baking soda can be toxic.^{[22]XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source}
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There is little evidence suggesting that alkaline water has notable health benefits. In some instances, drinking too much can upset your stomach.^{[23]XTrustworthy SourceCleveland ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source} If you decide to drink alkaline water, monitor your health for any negative side effects.
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