Alkaline Water: The Good, the Bad, and the Imbalanced

In recent years, alkaline water has been marketed as a health trend promising improved energy, detoxification, and even “balanced” blood pH. At first glance, that sounds appealing—after all, the body does thrive in a slightly alkaline state. But the truth is more complex. When it comes to alkaline water, more is not always better.

The Good

Our bodies are naturally designed to maintain a blood pH between 7.35 and 7.45, a slightly alkaline range that allows enzymes, hormones, and cellular processes to function optimally. The idea behind alkaline water is that by drinking water with a higher pH, we can support that balance. And while occasional alkaline water consumption is unlikely to cause harm, consistent or excessive use can interfere with a crucial part of your physiology: your stomach acid.

The Bad

Your stomach is supposed to be highly acidic—typically between pH 1.5 and 3.5. This acid not only helps break down proteins and absorb nutrients like iron, calcium, and vitamin B12, but it also acts as a first line of defense against harmful bacteria, yeast, and parasites.

When you regularly consume alkaline water, you can neutralize this essential acidity. Over time, this can reduce the stomach’s ability to sterilize food and properly digest nutrients. The weakened acid environment can allow bacteria from the small intestine or even the mouth to migrate into places they don’t belong—a condition known as Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).

The Imbalanced

Here’s where it gets counterintuitive: by drinking too much alkaline water in hopes of becoming “more alkaline,” you can push your system in the opposite direction. When gut bacteria overgrow and ferment undigested food, they release organic acids and gases. These acids can acidify the bloodstream over time, leading to fatigue, brain fog, bloating, and inflammation, the very symptoms many people hoped alkaline water would fix.

The gut microbiome is a delicate ecosystem that depends on proper stomach acidity, bile flow, and enzyme activity. Disrupting one part—like neutralizing stomach acid—can set off a chain reaction that leads to dysbiosis, malabsorption, and metabolic imbalance.

The Bottom Line

Our bodies already have a sophisticated system for maintaining internal pH balance. The lungs, kidneys, and digestive tract all work together to keep blood pH in a tight, healthy range. Trying to “force” alkalinity through water intake can undermine that balance.

If you enjoy alkaline water occasionally, it’s unlikely to cause harm. But for most people, the healthiest choice remains clean, mineral-rich, neutral water—paired with a diet low in sugar and rich in vegetables, healthy proteins, and whole foods that naturally support your body’s acid-base balance.