Eli5: Given that our stomach acid is very acidic, how come drinking something with a higher pH, like alkaline water, not neutralize it?

Question

Aren’t alkaline drinks supposed to counteract the acidity found in our stomachs? How do they pass through with no effect?

In: Biology

Answer 1

The stomach is capable of producing more acid to match the volume and pH of the food consumed. In addition “alkaline water” and similar substances are not particularly alkaline so only a small amount of additional acid is required to neutralize it.

“Alkaline drinks” are a scam preying on the public’s poor knowledge of basic human biology.