Five children have suffered acute liver failure and six other adults and children have developed less serious symptoms in a case linked to the Real Water brand of alkaline water.
The Food and Drug Administration announced an investigation after a number of reports of inflamed liver not caused by a virus.
Drinking alkaline water with a pH of 8 or 9 has become a health trend. with followers claiming it slows aging and prevents cancer, according to Healthline. No studies have been done to support the claim.
The body maintains a pH close to 7.4, which is neutral. Higher pH can lead to gastrointestinal issues and skin irritation. Water generally has a neutral pH of 7.
The company has pulled its product from shelves in Nevada.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
