Effect of electrolyzed high-pH alkaline water on blood viscosity in healthy adults

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious research has shown fluid replacement beverages ingested after exercise can affect hydration biomarkers. No specific hydration marker is universally accepted as an ideal rehydration parameter following strenuous exercise. Currently, changes in body mass are used as a parameter during post-exercise hydration. Additional parameters are needed to fully appreciate and better understand rehydration following strenuous exercise. This randomized, double-blind, parallel-arm trial assessed the effect of high-pH water on four biomarkers after exercise-induced dehydration.MethodsOne hundred healthy adults (50 M/50 F, 31 ± 6 years of age) were enrolled at a single clinical research center in Camden, NJ and completed this study with no adverse events. All individuals exercised in a warm environment (30 °C, 70% relative humidity) until their weight was reduced by a normally accepted level of 2.0 ± 0.2% due to perspiration, reflecting the effects of exercise in producing mild dehydration. Participants were randomized to rehydrate with an electrolyzed, high-pH (alkaline) water or standard water of equal volume (2% body weight) and assessed for an additional 2-h recovery period following exercise in order to assess any potential variations in measured parameters. The following biomarkers were assessed at baseline and during their recovery period: blood viscosity at high and low shear rates, plasma osmolality, bioimpedance, and body mass, as well as monitoring vital signs. Furthermore, a mixed model analysis was performed for additional validation.ResultsAfter exercise-induced dehydration, consumption of the electrolyzed, high-pH water reduced high-shear viscosity by an average of 6.30% compared to 3.36% with standard purified water (p = 0.03). Other measured biomarkers (plasma osmolality, bioimpedance, and body mass change) revealed no significant difference between the two types of water for rehydration. However, a mixed model analysis validated the effect of high-pH water on high-shear viscosity when compared to standard purified water (p = 0.0213) after controlling for covariates such as age and baseline values.ConclusionsA significant difference in whole blood viscosity was detected in this study when assessing a high-pH, electrolyte water versus an acceptable standard purified water during the recovery phase following strenuous exercise-induced dehydration.

Alkaline water improves exercise-induced metabolic acidosis and enhances anaerobic exercise performance in combat sport athletes

“…The results of our study are in line with the available literature regarding the impact of alkaline water on blood and urine pH at rest [ 9 , 19 , 25 ]. However, novel results of the present research are related to the changes in HCO 3- after exercise in athletes ingesting alkaline water.…”

Anaerobic Performance and Acid-Base Balance in Basketball Players after the Consumption of Highly Alkaline Water

“…The results obtained in our study are mostly confirmed in the available literature regarding the use of alkalized water, al-though few studies have been conducted on competitive athletes involved in intense anaerobic exercise [13,14,23] .…”

“…The foregoing conclusion was based on research involving blood viscosity tests in a randomised group of 100 adults. Alkaline water decreased blood viscosity by 6.30%, which was significantly more than the result obtained with standard water (3.36%) [14] . Alkaline water may also inhibit the effect of oxidative stress generated in cells during high-intensity exercise.…”

Synergistic Effects of Regular Walking and Alkaline Electrolyzed Water on Decreasing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress, and Increasing Quality of Life in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: A Community Based Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Those findings are similar to the results of this study, which determined that antioxidative stress rose in those who consumed AEW. Importantly, Weidman et al [ 54 ] stated that the consumption of AEW may exert positive effects by increasing antioxidant defense and reducing the basal production of oxidants after exercise training. Moreover, it was found that AEW has beneficial effects on exercise due to its free radical-scavenging properties, thereby enabling the maintenance of muscle performance and redox homeostasis during consecutive days of exercise [ 29 ].…”