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| - Last Updated on August 31, 2024 by Dr Priyamvada
Quick Take
An Instagram post claims that drinking alkaline water can prevent cancer. We did the fact check to term this claim as False.
The Claim
A recent video on Instagram, suggests that drinking alkaline water can prevent or save you from cancer. The post advises viewers to store water in an earthen pot, add a copper utensil and a silver coin to it. Then, it tells us to transfer the water into a glass jar with cut vegetables like cucumber, ginger, lemon, and carrot to make it alkaline. According to the video, this alkaline water can protect against cancer.
Fact Check
What is alkaline water?
Alkaline water refers to water that has a higher pH level than regular drinking water, usually around 8 or 9 on the pH scale. It is still not conclusive that alkaline water is better than regular safe drinking water. Supporters of alkaline water claim that it can neutralise the acid in the body, leading to various health benefits, including cancer prevention. The idea behind these claims is rooted in the belief that a less acidic environment in the body can prevent diseases like cancer.
Can we actually alter our body’s pH by drinking alkaline water?
No, we cannot. Our bodies are incredibly good at keeping pH levels stable, especially in the blood. This balance is tightly controlled by systems like our kidneys and lungs, ensuring the blood’s pH stays within a narrow range of 7.35 to 7.45, no matter what we eat or drink. Drinking alkaline water might briefly change the pH of your saliva or urine. But, it doesn’t impact the blood’s pH or the overall body’s pH.
In essence, the idea that drinking alkaline water can change your body’s pH is a misconception. Our bodies are naturally capable of regulating pH levels, and what we drink has little effect on this balance. So, alkaline water might sound beneficial to you. However, it doesn’t provide any real health advantages, including cancer prevention.
Can alkaline water prevent or cure cancer?
No, it cannot. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that drinking alkaline water can prevent or cure cancer. Cancer is a complex group of diseases with various causes, including genetic factors, lifestyle choices, and environmental exposures. The idea that altering the body’s pH through drinking alkaline water can affect cancer cells is not supported by credible scientific research.
Cancer cells thrive in both acidic and alkaline environments. The kidneys, lungs, and buffer systems regulate the body’s pH. This makes it nearly impossible to change blood pH significantly through diet or water consumption. Therefore, the claim that drinking alkaline water can prevent or save you from cancer is not true. Similarly, as with claims about foods like Sambar preventing colon cancer, it’s important to approach such assertions carefully. The alkaline diet, however, does encourage you to eat healthy like more fruits and vegetables, and less processed food items which can actually be helpful in weight loss. But, it would be an exaggeration to say that it can prevent cancer.
An oncologist’s advice
We asked Dr Pooja Khullar, a Radiation Oncologist, from Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, New Delhi about her take on alkaline water and cancer prevention. She says, “The concept of alkaline water preventing cancer might sound promising, but there’s no solid science to back it up. Cancer is a complicated disease, and drinking water with a different pH level won’t stop it from developing. Alkaline water is just like bottled water with different mineral content. Alkaline water also can’t change the pH of your blood.”
Dr Khullar further explains, “Some studies have shown that acidic environments help cancer cells grow. So the idea is that a diet high in alkaline foods (high pH) and low in acidic foods will raise the body’s pH levels (make the body more alkaline) and prevent or even cure cancer. It should be noted that these are studies of cancer cells in a dish and do not represent the complex nature of how tumours behave in the human body. And food cannot change the pH of your blood. Research shows that there’s no one diet or food that can cure and prevent cancer. The best way to reduce your risk of cancer is to focus on a healthy lifestyle—eating a balanced diet, staying active, and avoiding things like smoking and too much sun. It’s important to stick to proven methods rather than getting sidetracked by unproven claims.”
What are the proven methods for cancer prevention?
Preventing cancer involves a combination of lifestyle choices and regular medical check-ups. Proven methods include:
- Healthy diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can reduce the risk of certain cancers. We also recommend avoiding processed meats and limiting red meat intake.
- Regular exercise: Engaging in regular physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight, which is associated with a lower risk of various cancers.
- Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol: Tobacco use is a leading cause of cancer. Limiting alcohol consumption can reduce the risk of cancers like those of the mouth, throat, liver, and breast.
- Sun protection: Protecting your skin from excessive sun exposure can reduce the risk of skin cancer. Some people say that sunscreens are unnecessary, but that’s not true. Sunscreens are important and they protect you from the harmful UV rays of the sun.
- Vaccinations: Vaccines like the HPV vaccine can prevent infections that lead to cancer, such as cervical cancer.
- Regular screenings: Early detection through screenings like mammograms, colonoscopies, and Pap smears can help catch cancer at an early, more treatable stage.
What is the role of copper, silver, and earthen pots in water quality?
Copper and silver have antimicrobial properties, and storing water in copper or silver vessels can reduce bacterial contamination. However, these metals do not make water alkaline or have any effect on cancer prevention. Similarly, storing water in earthen pots may help keep it cool and slightly enrich it with minerals, but it does not provide any cancer-fighting properties.
Adding vegetables like cucumber, ginger, lemon, and carrot to water can add some flavour and provide minimal nutrients. However, it does not significantly alter the pH of the water, nor does it imbue the water with any cancer-preventing qualities.
What are the dangers of excessive copper intake?
Excessive copper intake can lead to copper toxicity, which may cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and headaches. In severe cases, it can result in liver and kidney damage, neurological problems, and even death. Long-term exposure to high levels of copper can also increase the risk of liver disease and anaemia. It is important to monitor copper levels, especially if using copper utensils or supplements.
Why are such health claims misleading?
Health claims like the one in this video are misleading because they provide false hope. These health claims further divert attention from scientifically proven methods of cancer prevention and treatment. Relying on unproven remedies like alkaline water can delay seeking appropriate medical care which can lead to worse outcomes.
Additionally, promoting such claims without evidence can contribute to the spread of misinformation. This becomes all the more dangerous especially when endorsed by individuals who are perceived as authoritative, such as Ayurvedic practitioners. It’s important to critically evaluate health claims and consult qualified healthcare professionals for medical advice.
THIP Media Take
The claim that drinking alkaline water, prepared by adding copper, silver, and vegetables, can prevent or save you from cancer is false. There is no scientific basis for this claim. Moreover, it can mislead people into believing that such remedies are effective in cancer prevention. Be careful of social media claims that suggest simple actions can prevent serious diseases like cancer. For example, inflating balloons can prevent cancer, or practising Buddhi Mudra can help in cancer prevention, or eating turmeric in a squat position can prevent cancer for life are not proven ways to protect against cancer. For preventing cancer, it’s important to focus on evidence-based practices like maintaining a healthy lifestyle, getting vaccinated, and undergoing regular medical screenings.
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