Is Alkaline Water Really Healthy? Viral Video Raises Scam Alert | Watch

Alkaline water has been gaining popularity as the latest health drink, with many claiming it has impressive benefits like healing, repairing, revitalising, hydrating, aiding weight loss, and even improving complexions. However, some social media users are now raising concerns about its authenticity, suggesting it could be a scam.

A video circulating on social media features a woman warning viewers about a potential scam surrounding alkaline water. Shared on X, formerly Twitter, on April 11, the video has already gained significant attention, with over 115.5k views so far.

In the video, the woman claims, "There is a big scam coming up that is going to enter India soon," explaining that the trend has gained traction in the West, where it is widely believed that anything popular there will eventually make its way to India. She goes on to caution, "Don't fall for it," and advises viewers not to buy alkaline water, as it is often overpriced.

Alkaline water is defined by its pH level, which is higher than that of regular drinking water. The woman in the video explains that the pH of healthy drinking water is typically between 6.5 and 8.5, and anything below 7 is acidic, while anything above is considered alkaline. Some believe that drinking water with a pH closer to the body's blood pH of 7.4 is beneficial, but the woman in the video strongly disagrees with this claim. She argues that the body's digestive process makes this concept irrelevant, as whatever we consume will be broken down in the stomach and turned acidic, regardless of its initial pH.

She further criticises the trend, explaining that our stomach naturally has a highly acidic pH (around 1 to 1.5), and everything we ingest - whether acidic, neutral, or alkaline - is transformed into an acidic state once it reaches the stomach. According to her, the idea that alkaline water can have lasting health benefits is misleading.

While some may view this video as a cautionary tale, others remain sceptical about the claims made in the video. Despite the controversy, the popularity of alkaline water continues to grow, with proponents swearing by its health benefits.

What Is Alkaline Water?

Alkaline water, also known as alkaline ionised water (AKW), has a slightly higher pH than regular water. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 0 being highly acidic, 7 being neutral, and 14 being highly alkaline. Most regular drinking water typically falls within a pH range of 6.5 to 8.5, with the acids and alkalis present being very weak.

As the debate over the benefits of alkaline water continues, consumers are advised to carefully consider the claims made by manufacturers and to approach trends in the health industry with caution.