Feb 23 , 2026
Alright, let’s talk kidneys, water, and that fancy-sounding thing called alkaline water, without sounding like a science textbook or a medical lecture that makes you yawn in 30 seconds.
If you’ve ever googled anything about kidney health (which you probably have, since you’re here), you’ve definitely seen someone say:
“Drink alkaline water, it’s great for kidneys!”
And someone else saying:
“No, no, alkaline water is useless.”
So, who’s telling the truth? Is alkaline water good for kidneys or not? Let’s calmly sit down, pour a glass of plain water (yes, plain), and talk like normal humans.
Alkaline water is just water with a higher pH level than normal drinking water. Normal water has a pH of about 7, which is neutral.
That’s it. No magic spells. No superhero powers.
Sometimes this higher pH comes naturally (from minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium). Sometimes it’s created using machines that make water sound like it went to engineering college.
Because it sounds fancy, it also costs more. And as humans, we often assume:
“More expensive = healthier.”
(Not always true, sadly.)
Don’t miss this read: Is matcha good for kidneys?
Before deciding if alkaline water is good for kidneys, let’s understand what kidneys already do, because they are not lazy organs waiting for alkaline water to rescue them. Your kidneys:
Filter waste from your blood
Balance fluids
Control electrolytes
Maintain acid-base balance in the body
Yes, that last point is important.
Your kidneys already control your body’s pH.
They do this 24/7, without complaining, without taking weekends off.
So, when someone says, “Alkaline water balances your body’s pH,” kidneys quietly whisper:
“Bro… that’s literally my job.”
If your kidneys and liver are healthy, alkaline water is mostly neutral news. Drinking alkaline water:
Will hydrate you (good)
Will not magically detox your kidneys (sorry)
Will not suddenly make your kidneys stronger than before
Your body keeps blood pH in a very tight range (around 7.35–7.45). Even if you drink alkaline water all day, your body says, “Nice try,” and adjusts everything back to normal. So, for healthy kidneys, alkaline water is:
Not harmful (in moderation)
Not necessary
Not a miracle
Think of it like wearing expensive running shoes while sitting on the sofa. Comfortable? Maybe. Life-changing? Not really.
Now things get a little more serious, so let’s slow down and be clear. If someone has:
Proteinuria
Reduced kidney function
PKD
Then alkaline water becomes a “talk to your doctor first” situation, not a “just drink it” situation.
Because alkaline water is loaded with minerals like potassium and calcium. And kidneys with reduced function may struggle to filter out these extra minerals. High potassium (hyperkalemia) is not a joke. It can affect heart rhythm and cause serious problems. So, for kidney patients:
Alkaline water is not automatically safe
It is not a treatment
It should never replace medical advice
If someone tells you alkaline water can “reverse kidney disease,” that’s your cue to slowly back away from the conversation.
Answer: No, not really.
Explanation: Creatinine levels are related to a few different things, including:
• How well your kidneys function.
• How much muscle you have.
• What you eat.
• How hydrated you are.
If you drink more water (any pure, drinkable type), it can help make your creatinine level look a little better by maintaining a good level of hydration in your body. Your kidneys require fluid for excretion. Plain water can do that, too. So can filtered water. So can boiled and cooled water. Alkaline water doesn’t have a special “creatinine-reducing button.”
Some people with kidney disease develop metabolic acidosis, meaning the body becomes too acidic. In such cases:
Doctors may prescribe bicarbonate
Diet may be adjusted
Protein intake may be managed
This is medical treatment, not a DIY alkaline-water experiment. Drinking alkaline water alone is not strong or precise enough to fix this problem. It’s like trying to fix a broken fan by blowing air at it.
Let’s be honest for a moment.
The biggest benefit of alkaline water is this:
People who buy it tend to drink more water.
And drinking enough water is good for kidneys. If alkaline water makes you:
Drink more regularly
Replace sugary drinks
Stay hydrated
Then great! Your kidneys are happy, not because the water is alkaline, but because it’s water. Hydration matters more than pH.
In excess, yes; like most things. Too much alkaline water may:
Disturb stomach acidity
Affect digestion
Interfere with mineral balance
For patients with kidney disease, mineral overload is a greater concern. Balance is the keyword here. Not alkaline. Not acidic. Just balance.
Let’s simplify this without drama. If you have healthy kidneys:
You can drink alkaline water
You don’t need it
Plain, clean water is perfectly fine
If you have kidney disease or high creatinine:
Do not assume alkaline water is safe
Do not treat it like medicine
Always check with your doctor..........
If your budget allows and you enjoy it, fine. If it feels like an unnecessary expense, also fine. It’s not like it is an indispensable part of the best kidney treatment.
Not really, as there is no strong correlation between drinking ionized water and improved kidney health. For most people, clean, regular water is more than enough. If you have kidney disease, always check with an expert like Dr. Puneet Dhawan or visit a reputed medical facility like Karma Ayurveda USA first.
Here’s the boring but honest truth:
Drinking enough water (regular water)
Reducing excess salt
Managing blood pressure
Controlling blood sugar
Eating kidney-friendly foods
Avoiding unnecessary painkillers
These things do far more for kidney health than chasing pH numbers on a bottle.
Alkaline water is not a villain. It is not a superhero. It’s just water with a slightly higher pH and a lot of marketing confidence. Your kidneys are smart organs. They don’t need trendy drinks. They need consistency, care, and common sense.
So, if you enjoy alkaline water, drink it, but don’t expect miracles. If you prefer normal water, congratulations, you’re already doing enough. And remember: kidneys don’t need fancy water. They need you to treat them kindly, every single day.
For most people, it’s not harmful, but there’s no strong proof that alkaline water specifically improves kidney health.
Drinking alkaline water may reduce acidity in urine.
Plain, clean drinking water is the best. Staying well-hydrated is what truly supports kidney function.
High blood pressure, diabetes, dehydration, too much painkiller use, and high salt intake can seriously harm kidneys.
Not usually. In some cases, it may even help certain types of stones, but it’s not a guaranteed solution.
Karma Ayurveda, established in 1937, is an Ayurvedic hospital with a rich legacy of over eight decades. Led by Dr Puneet Dhawan, the fifth generation... Read More About Us
100 Church Street, Suite 800, New York, NY 10007
US FDA Reg. No.: 14568299376
How may we help you?