Do “pH-Boosting” Drops Make Alkaline Water That’s Good For Acid Reflux?
At-A-Glance
- I am often asked if “pH-boosting drops” that claim to make alkaline water out of regular tap water actually work … specifically for reflux … since I recommend that the water be pH 9.5 or higher.
- Four products were tested: Alkazone, Swanson, Alkalife, and Horbaach; three of the four products made the grade … Horbaach didn’t.
For each product, I followed the package directions. Products were tested using a ZenTest Apera pH Tester PH60S-Z. The instrument was two-point calibrated, and distilled water was used for all tests. The instrument’s pH was brought back to neutral prior to each test. Each product was tested three times, and the results were averaged. Still, the data presented in this post may or may not be accurate; and I take no responsibility for any potential commercial ramifications that might result from data in this post.
“pH-Boosting Drops” Evaluated
Products were evaluated and prepared using package instructions. And all were easy to use, and three of the four made the grade. I used distilled water for testing, but you can use city water, tap water, or restaurant water; all are usually around pH 7 … and all will be just fine.
Alkazone Balance Your pH Drops (1.25 oz) $19.84
Directions: 3 drops / 8 oz water — Result: pH 10.5 GOOD
Swanson Alkaline Booster Drops (1.25 oz) $7.50
Directions: 8 drops / 8 oz water — Result: pH 9.9 GOOD
Alkalife pH Booster Drops (1.25 oz) $16.56
Directions: 3 drops / 8 oz water — Result: pH 10.7 GOOD
Horbaach Alkaline Booster (2 oz) $7.99
Directions: 3 drops / 8 oz water — Result: pH 7.0 BAD
I also tested Ecosafe Alkalizing Water Treatment ($17.99 for 50 packets). One packet makes one liter of alkaline water. This might be good for home, but not so much for when you are out. Directions: One Ecosafe packet in one liter of distilled water — Result: pH 9.7 GOOD
Comments: (1) Every product tested made the grade (good alkalinization) except the Horbaach. (2) The alkalinity target of pH 9.5 kills pepsin for sure — actually, pepsin dies (is denatured) at pH 8 — So dear refluxers, please drink alkaline water and spray it in your throat. (3) And no, pH 10.7 is not too high. (4) Note that there are big cost-per-serving differences between the different products.
For more information about diagnosis and treatment of respiratory reflux, see my two companion books on Amazon: Dropping Acid: The Reflux Diet Cookbook & Cure and Dr. Koufman’s Acid Reflux Diet. And, if you would like to schedule a 30-minute, virtual consultation with me, you can Book Online.
