How do you get alkaline in your water? Understanding Your Options

October 8, 2025 •

4 min read

With a pH level of 8 or 9, alkaline water has a higher pH than regular tap water, which typically has a neutral pH of around 7. For those interested in this trend, understanding how to increase your water's pH is the first step toward exploring its potential benefits, from improved hydration to neutralizing acidity.

Quick Summary

Several methods exist for creating alkaline water, including adding household ingredients like baking soda or mineral drops. Learn the difference between DIY approaches and commercial filters, considering the pros, cons, and actual effects on your body's pH.

Key Points

Baking Soda Method: A simple and inexpensive way to raise water's pH involves adding 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda to 8 ounces of water, but be mindful of sodium intake.
Lemon Water Method: Although acidic, lemons have an alkalizing effect after being metabolized by the body; adding lemon to water can increase its pH and add vitamin C.
Commercial Filters and Ionizers: For more consistent alkalinity, commercial products like pitchers and ionizers are available, but they involve a higher upfront cost and ongoing maintenance.
pH Drops and Mineral Salts: Concentrated pH drops and small pinches of mineral salt (like Himalayan salt) offer a portable way to boost water's alkalinity.
No Major Body pH Change: While alkaline water can affect the pH of your stomach and urine, your body's blood pH is tightly regulated and cannot be significantly altered by diet.
Considerations and Risks: While generally safe, excessive intake of highly alkaline water should be avoided, especially by individuals with kidney disease, due to potential side effects like nausea or mineral imbalances.

The concept of alkaline water has gained popularity among health enthusiasts and those seeking to improve their overall wellness. The pH scale, which measures the acidity or alkalinity of a substance, is central to this trend. A pH below 7 is acidic, while a pH above 7 is alkaline. While the human body has a tightly regulated blood pH that dietary changes cannot significantly alter, some people still choose to drink alkaline water for perceived health benefits. This guide explores various methods for increasing the alkalinity of your water.

DIY Methods for Alkaline Water at Home

For a simple and cost-effective approach, several DIY options can raise your water's pH. These methods utilize common household items and can be implemented with minimal effort.

Baking Soda

Adding baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is one of the easiest ways to make water alkaline. A small amount can significantly increase the pH level. Baking soda has a pH of around 9.0, making it an effective alkalizing agent.

To make baking soda alkaline water, follow these steps:

Start with 8 ounces of clean, filtered water.
Add 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda and stir until completely dissolved.
Caution: Baking soda is high in sodium, so those on a low-sodium diet or with kidney disease should consult a doctor before using this method regularly.

Lemon Water

While lemons are acidic, they have an alkalizing effect on the body after being metabolized. As the citric acid is digested, it produces alkaline byproducts that can make your urine more alkaline, though it does not change your blood pH.

To make lemon water for its alkalizing effect:

Squeeze half a lemon into 1 liter of purified water.
Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, or for a stronger infusion, allow it to sit overnight.
Drink it throughout the day for a refreshing, vitamin-C rich beverage.
Note: The initial acidity can be hard on tooth enamel, so consider drinking through a straw.

pH Drops and Mineral Salts

For a portable and convenient option, pH drops are available at health food stores and online. These drops are highly concentrated alkaline minerals that you add directly to your water. Similarly, a pinch of Himalayan salt can add beneficial minerals like calcium and potassium while boosting alkalinity.

Commercial Products vs. DIY Methods

For a more consistent and automated supply of alkaline water, several commercial products are available. These range from simple pitchers to complex under-sink systems.

Comparison Table: DIY vs. Commercial Alkaline Water


Feature	DIY Methods (Baking Soda, Lemon)	Commercial Products (Filters, Ionizers)
Cost	Very low cost, uses common ingredients.	Higher upfront investment, with ongoing costs for replacement filters or electricity.
Consistency	pH level is less consistent and relies on manual mixing.	Provides a more consistent pH level with controlled filtration and remineralization.
Portability	Easy for small batches; less convenient for on-the-go.	Drops offer high portability; other systems are fixed appliances.
Additional Benefits	Lemon offers Vitamin C; mineral salts add electrolytes.	Many systems include advanced filtration, removing contaminants and heavy metals.
Potential Downsides	Baking soda is high in sodium; lemon is acidic on teeth.	High initial cost; some systems waste water during the RO process.

Scientific Perspective: What Alkaline Water Can and Cannot Do

Proponents of alkaline water often cite benefits such as improved hydration, acid reflux relief, and antioxidant properties. However, it's essential to separate scientific evidence from marketing claims.

Body pH Regulation: The kidneys and lungs are the body's primary regulators of blood pH, keeping it within a narrow, healthy range of 7.35-7.45. Drinking alkaline water has a minimal, if any, effect on your blood's pH. Your stomach, which is highly acidic for digestion, will neutralize the water upon consumption.
Acid Reflux Relief: Some studies suggest that alkaline water (specifically with a pH of 8.8) may help inactivate pepsin, an enzyme involved in acid reflux. While this may provide temporary relief for some, it is not a cure.
Hydration: A small study found that high-pH electrolyte water reduced blood viscosity after exercise, potentially improving hydration. However, more extensive research is needed to confirm these findings.

Considerations and Precautions

Drinking alkaline water is generally considered safe for healthy individuals. However, those with pre-existing health conditions, especially kidney disease, should exercise caution and consult their doctor. Excessive consumption of highly alkaline water (above pH 9.8) can be risky and may lead to side effects like stomach pain and nausea.

Conclusion

There are several ways to get alkaline in your water, from budget-friendly DIY methods using baking soda or lemon to more advanced commercial filters and ionizers. The method you choose depends on your budget, desire for consistency, and whether you want additional filtration benefits. While alkaline water might offer minor relief for issues like acid reflux, it is important to remember that it does not fundamentally alter your body's tightly regulated pH balance. The primary benefit of any of these methods might simply be encouraging you to drink more water and stay better hydrated.

For additional resources, you can consult articles from authoritative sources on the potential benefits and risks of alkaline water. A good starting point is the Mayo Clinic's expert answers on the topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but not in the way you might think. Lemon juice is acidic, but once metabolized by the body, it produces alkaline byproducts that can slightly increase the alkalinity of your urine. It does not significantly affect your blood's pH.

There is limited scientific evidence to conclusively prove that alkaline water is significantly better than regular water for healthy individuals. While some studies show minor benefits like improved hydration or acid reflux relief, your body's natural mechanisms do an excellent job of regulating pH.

A common recipe suggests adding 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda to 8 ounces of water and stirring until it dissolves completely. However, those on a low-sodium diet should be cautious, as baking soda contains a high amount of sodium.

pH drops are concentrated liquid supplements containing alkaline minerals, such as potassium and magnesium. When added to water, they increase the water's pH level. They offer a convenient way to make alkaline water on the go.

Yes, adding a pinch of pink Himalayan salt to your water can help increase its alkalinity while also providing beneficial trace minerals and electrolytes. This is often combined with lemon for added flavor and benefits.

While generally safe, excessively high intake of alkaline water (above pH 9.8) can lead to side effects like nausea, muscle twitching, or, in rare cases, metabolic alkalosis. Individuals with kidney disease are especially at risk and should consult a doctor.

Yes, commercial alkaline water filters and ionizers effectively raise the pH of water. They use special cartridges or electrolysis to infuse minerals, producing more consistent results than DIY methods.