A lot of diet science lately focuses on the effects of acidity on the body. We’ve all seen posts on social media suggesting that high-alkaline water can solve many of the health problems caused by this condition.
Alkaline drinking water usually ranges from 8-12, and different levels can have different effects. But which levels of alkaline water are safe, and more specifically: is it safe to drink 11.5 alkaline water?
Most experts recommend that you don’t drink 11.5 alkaline water. Consuming a lot of 11.5 pH water could disrupt proper stomach functioning by neutralizing stomach acid you need to break down foods. High-pH water is safe and useful for other purposes, such as cleaning surfaces, fruits, and vegetables.
What is 11.5 alkaline water?
You probably remember learning about acids, bases, and pH in school. 11.5 alkaline water refers to water with a pH level of 11.5. 11.5 alkaline water is sometimes referred to as high-pH alkaline water.
We measure a substance’s pH on a scale of 0-14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral pH. Values lower than seven are acidic, while higher than seven substances are basic.
Acidic substances react by losing their extra protons. Basic substances accept protons from things they come into contact with.
As the pH of the substance approaches 0, we consider it more acidic. That means that very low pH value liquids are very acidic, while very high pH liquids are very basic.
Acidic substances are corrosive and sour-tasting. Basic substances feel soapy and taste bitter [1].
On the extreme end of the pH scale, we have battery acid (pH 0) and drain cleaners (pH 14). Some less acidic substances include lemon juice (pH 2), orange juice (pH 3), and clean rain (pH 5.6). Basic liquids include bleach (pH 13), soapy water (pH 12), ammonia (pH 11), and seawater (pH 8) [2].
So as you can see, 11.5 alkaline water is high-PH.
What are the benefits of drinking alkaline water?
Some people drink alkaline water to increase their bodies’ pH – there may be benefits to drinking alkaline water that is slightly basic (pH 7 – 9). Drinking highly alkaline water (e.g., 11.5 alkaline water) has no known benefits and may even be dangerous.
A diet high in acidic foods such as fruits, alcohol, milk, and caffeinated foods could increase your body’s pH. Consuming too many acidic foods may cause several health problems.
One study found that acidic diets increase the amount of calcium excreted through urine by 74% [3]. This calcium loss could lead to a lower bone mineral density and other problems associated with low calcium levels.
Acidic foods such as caffeine, alcohol, and high-fat foods also commonly contribute to acid reflux in some people. People drink alkaline water to counter these and other health problems caused by high-acidity body environments.
This study found that drinking 8.8 pH well water may reduce acid reflux symptoms by deactivating pepsin in the stomach [4]. Another found that alkaline water could help people with high blood pressure and hypertension [5]. Some studies also suggest it can reduce blood viscosity.
The benefits of drinking alkaline are still under debate. Despite the studies mentioned above, there still doesn’t seem to be clear scientific evidence for the benefits of alkaline water.
Is it safe to drink 11.5 alkaline water? The risks.
Some doctors argue that reducing stomach and urine acidity can lead to health complications.
Stomach acids help break down foods and kill harmful bacteria that can grow in the stomach and gut. That’s why many people advise that you don’t drink alkaline water immediately before or after eating.
If you only drink highly alkaline water for long periods, you could potentially neutralize stomach acids which could cause long-term problems.
People with preexisting kidney conditions should also avoid high-alkaline diets [6].
Uses of 11.5 alkaline water
Even if you’re not drinking it, high alkaline water like 11.5 pH can still perform many useful functions in your home:
- Cleaning kitchen surfaces
- Rinsing meat and vegetables
- Cleaning cars
You might have noticed that most cleaning substances have a high pH. Kitchen cleaners such as bleach and drain cleaners can turn solidified oil buildups into liquids. This process is called emulsifying.
Did you know you can do all this without using harsh chemicals in cleaning solutions? To make a natural stovetop cleaner, spray the surface with 11.5 alkaline water and wipe off the emulsified oils with a washcloth. It’s surprising how well this can clean up grease stains in your kitchen. Even better, it doesn’t leave you with the chemical smell that other cleaning solutions are known for.
Many people use alkaline water to clean their produce and meats before eating them. Many pesticides stick to food products. Rinsing some foods in high-pH water breaks down the bonds between the food and pesticides – something regular tap water can’t do.
How do you make 11.5 alkaline water?
Alkaline water isn’t just water with a high pH. It contains a lot more alkali elements than regular water. Sodium and potassium are the most common alkali metals recommended for a healthy diet.
There are several ways to make 11.5 alkaline water for purposes other than drinking (e.g., cleaning or other industrial uses).
You can also add substances to your drinking water to make it more alkaline. Mixing baking soda into your water and testing the pH until it reaches 11.5 is one DIY way to do this.
You can also add pH drops directly into your drinking water to increase your intake of certain alkaline minerals.
Making medium pH alkaline drinking water (pH 8 – 9)
One way to make medium alkaline water is with a water filtration system. Water filtration systems usually remove harmful contaminants such as pesticides and bacteria from your home water supply. But many of these products also add minerals back into the water. They do this by running the water through a mineral bed of calcium and magnesium. This infusion process can slightly increase your drinking water pH.
Water filters also naturally increase the pH of tap water. They do this by removing impurities such as chlorine from the water. Some companies also provide alkaline water filter pitchers that add alkaline minerals while filtering out other contaminants.
You can introduce high alkaline water into your home with a water ionizer. They use electrolysis to increase the pH of your drinking water. This means you can enjoy the benefits of high-pH water without changing taste.
Reverse osmosis is also an excellent way to create alkaline water with a pH of around 8 – 9. Countertop models are the simplest way to get started with reverse osmosis. They remove most contaminants and make the water alkaline – click here to see which countertop RO machines we recommend.
A variety of uses
Drinking 11.5 pH water is generally not recommended. However, it can be an easy way to replace lots of harmful chemical cleaners in your house. Cleaning with high-pH water benefits both you and the environment by reducing the number of chemicals in the municipal waste stream.
To enjoy the health benefits of drinking alkaline water, start by introducing some slightly basic (8-10 pH) water into your daily water intake. You can do this with water ionizers, alkaline water filter pitchers, and even baking soda.
