Alkalinized Filtered Water Induces Changes in the Gut Microbiome in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
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Objective
This study evaluated the effects of filtered, alkalinized water on inflammation and intestinal dysbiosis in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Methods
We conducted a three-month, two-arm, randomized intervention study involving 46 patients with IBD in remission. Participants were divided into two groups: one consumed filtered water from an active filtering device, and the control group consumed water from a mock device. Blood and stool samples were collected before and after the intervention. We assessed antioxidant capacity and circulating cytokine levels from plasma. Gene expression levels of inflammatory mediators were determined using mRNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The microbial composition of fecal samples was characterized by qPCR analysis using primers targeting 16S rRNA genes.
Results
Consumption of alkalinized filtered water significantly reduced IL1B gene expression in PBMCs. Furthermore, subjects drinking alkalinized filtered water exhibited a consistent, albeit not statistically significant, decrease in circulating IL-1β and significantly lower levels of IL-4 than controls. Microbiome analysis revealed that the levels of the Bacteroides fragilis Group were significantly lower in subjects consuming tap water than in those consuming filtered water.
Conclusion
These changes suggest that consuming alkalinized water for three months leads to an improved inflammatory status compared with consuming tap water.
