Will alkaline water and a water filter help my gut issues?

I would be careful about drinking alkaline water, there was a recent recall for an alkaline water brand due to it causing severe health issues in people https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-acut…. Water is supposed to be neutral pH, your body provides the acid/base regulation it needs via your kidneys and lungs. I don't think drinking alkaline water will have any effect on your gut microbiota since your stomach acid will just counteract the alkalinity of the water. Filtering water won't change the pH, but it can filter out impurities like ions, chlorine, or minerals. 

We have one of those filters that attaches to the spout at the sink. Totally worth it. Removes any possible chlorine taste from the water. We also live in an old enough house that there is a chance that we actually have some lead pipes (which is the reason why we got the filter in the first place).

If you have gut issues, I would talk to your PCP and possibly get a referal instead of relying on dubious recommendations from a friend, but then I am a strong believer in science-based medicine.

Friendsofwater.com call Tim from the number listed on the website if you have questions, he’s awesome! I use their filtration systems at home and for my business. I highly recommend! 

I've been using an EverPure undercounter system in my home for 15+ years. It works well and is easy to maintain. It's much more convenient and less expensive than buying bottled water. I use it for drinking and cooking water. The model I have is no longer available (although I can still get the replacement cartridges). When you're looking at systems, be sure to check which chemicals they filter out. For example, I wanted a filter for sediment, VOC's, lead, and fluoride.

I added an Aquasana whole house system to my home 10+ years ago. It also works well and is easy to maintain. My city water has lots of sediment that was clogging up my water heater as well as any appliance or fixture with a filter, and chloramine which was damaging seals and gaskets in the appliances and fixtures. A whole house system is costly (watch for Aquasana sales), but I find it worth it. There's much less wear and tear on my plumbing system and water using appliances and my skin and hair are much healthier. I can't speak to the gut issues.

I hope you find this information useful and that you find relief for your health issues.

There is little evidence to support that alkaline water has any special health benefits, however most of our tap water in the Bay Area has a high pH (in the 8 - 9 range) which is considered alkaline. Also the tap water in the Bay Area is extremely good--much of it comes from snowmelt to protected watersheds in the Sierras, and though it travels quite a distance to get here and undergoes some treatment, it's important to understand that bottled water also travels quite a distance to get here, and also undergoes treatment. It's just less highly regulated and thus more prone to letting contaminants slip through. In fact, just last week one of the alkaline water brands was subject to a recall due to risk of hepatitis: https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-acut…

With respect to filters, NSF International is a widely trusted independent organization that certifies many products, including home water filters, to verify that they actually do the things they say they will do. Their website https://www.nsf.org/knowledge-library/home-water-treatment-system-selec… gives lots of good information to help you decide what kind of filter could help you. They point out that you need to first decide what it is you want to remove from your water, so you need to be aware of what is in your water in the first place. East Bay MUD, which supplies water to many of us in the East Bay makes summaries of their routine water quality testing available -- start here and click through: https://www.ebmud.com/water/about-your-water/water-quality/water-qualit…;

Alkaline water is known to cause gastrointestinal issues and skin irritations. It can also vomiting, hand tremors, muscle twitching, tingling in the extremities or face, and confusion. It can also lower your body’s calcium levels cause bone issues.  If you have gut issues I would steer clear.  We have some of the best water in the world, thanks to the snow in the sierras.  If you want a filter I would recommend the one I purchased on Amazon for $160.  As for your gut issue I had one for decades.  I found it was low fiber in my diet and sensitivity to some foods, especially processed foods.  I started taking 2-3 spoonfuls of Metamucil everyday.  After three weeks of taking Metamucil every day the gut issues which I had for decades is gone.  You might give it a try.  A three month container is about $25.

Best of luck.   

Please don't buy alkaline water. Here is a June 2, 2021 article in the NY Times about alkaline water producers in Nevada that were ordered to stop selling their water after five children experienced acute non-viral hepatitis, which can lead to liver failure: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/02/us/nevada-bottled-water-fda.html

Their product "Real Water" was found to be "municipal tap water that the defendants processed with various chemicals."   We have really good water in the East Bay. It is tested to make sure it's safe. Buying off-brand water is a risk to your and your children's health.