Effects of Alkaline Water on Blood Viscosity and Hydration

Research Findings

Recent studies indicate that alkaline water positively influences blood viscosity and hydration levels following exercise. Specifically, the research found that drinking high-pH water resulted in a greater reduction in blood viscosity compared to regular purified water.

Impact of Dehydration on Performance

Dehydration significantly impairs physical performance and can lead to cardiovascular strain, heat stress, and disruptions in neurological and metabolic functions. When body mass decreases by 2% or more due to dehydration, performance levels tend to decline. This loss of water increases blood viscosity, making it harder for the cardiovascular system to circulate blood effectively.

Hypothesis on Alkaline Water

It has been suggested that high-pH alkaline water may provide superior rehydration benefits compared to neutral-pH regular water. A collaborative research initiative involving Thomas Jefferson University, Southeast Colorado Hospital, Rheovector, Jacqmar, and the A. J. Drexel Plasma Institute aimed to investigate any significant differences between these two types of water.

Study Methodology

To assess the impact of alkaline water versus normal purified water, researchers evaluated key biomarkers across two test groups. Participants underwent dehydration until they lost 2% of their body weight, after which they rehydrated with either alkaline or normal water. Blood viscosity was identified as a primary biomarker for comparison, alongside other metrics such as plasma osmolality, bioimpedance, and body mass, monitored over a two-hour recovery period.

Results of the Study

The findings revealed that high-pH water reduced blood viscosity by 6.30%, while standard purified water resulted in a 3.36% reduction. No significant differences were observed in other biomarkers between the two groups.

Conclusions and Limitations

The study concludes that consuming alkaline water after exercise-induced dehydration leads to a notable decrease in blood viscosity compared to drinking regular purified water. However, potential limitations exist, particularly concerning the competing interests of the study designers and Essentia Water, which provided consulting fees and stock options. Additionally, consulting fees were also given to a lab manager and Rheovector. Future research should focus on independently replicating these findings to mitigate any biases.

Author Information

Written by: Kenneth Dominguez, PhD