Ophora Water: Is It Good for You?

Ophora may be among the most expensive drinking water brands, claiming it provides better hydration. But can it deliver the promised health benefits? We investigate the science behind it.

Ophora water is marketed as nano-filtered, hyper-oxygenated, and pH-balanced. According to the company's website, it helps increase energy, provides superior hydration, and shortens athletic recovery time, among other benefits.

Water is essential for our bodies and plays a role in multiple processes, including keeping normal body temperature and lubricating and cushioning joints. Most people need about six cups of plain water a day.

At the same time, over half of Americans think that tap water is unsafe, according to a 2022 survey. Tap water may contain contaminants – the drinking water systems of over 250 million Americans have lead levels at or above the recommended amount for children.

But can Ophora water address concerns about water contamination and improve health? Do Ophora water technologies like 'nano-filtering' and 'oxygenation' actually improve it, or are they just wellness buzzwords? We asked the experts.

Water oxygenation: evidence is weak

Oxygenated water means dissolved oxygen molecules were added during the bottling process. However, all water already has oxygen – its chemical formula H₂O stands for two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

Ophora's website cites eight studies proposing the benefits of hyper-oxygenated water, ranging from post-exercise recovery to increased oxygen uptake from the intestine.

However, the studies are either conducted in animal models or small groups of people, limiting the generalization of the findings.

For instance, a 2017 study that included 25 male runners found that ingesting an oxygen supplement improved the clearance of lactate during exercise recovery. Lactate is a byproduct of energy use, and too much of it can cause muscle fatigue and a burning sensation. However, oxygen supplementation did not affect exercise performance.

Another human study involving 15 healthy men suggests that dissolved oxygen in drinks accelerates the decrease in blood alcohol concentrations after consuming a large amount of alcohol.

Dr. Vincent Candrawinata, a food scientist and researcher at the University of Newcastle, calls the evidence on oxygenated water benefits 'weak at best.'

He says most studies claiming the benefits of drinking oxygenated water are small, inconsistent, or funded by brands selling the product.

Our bodies get oxygen through the lungs, not the gut. Drinking water, even if it's saturated with oxygen, won't significantly increase the amount of oxygen your blood can carry. You're better off focusing on hydration, sleep, and aerobic fitness if oxygen delivery is your goal.

Dr. Vincent Candrawinata

Nano-purification can filter our PFAS

According to Ophora's website, the water is nano-purified and free of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and plastics.

Kyle Postmus, a senior manager of NSF, a public health and safety organization, says these contaminants in drinking water raise significant health concerns.

"Research indicates that they can have adverse effects on human health, including potential hormonal disruptions, reproductive issues, and other long-term health risks," he tells WellnessPulse.

Pharmaceuticals can enter the water supply via human excretion and medications being flushed down the toilet. They pass through water treatment and are found in trace levels in drinking water.

According to the National Center for Health Research, these amounts are likely too small to have a short-term effect on human health, while it is unclear what the impact of long-term daily exposure will be.

Samantha Bear, a senior research scientist at Tap Score Water Testing, says treating water via nanofiltration can effectively reduce the concentrations of various contaminants that pose health hazards, including 'forever chemicals' or PFAS, short for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, pesticides, and certain heavy metal ions.

Nanofiltration is a legitimate and effective treatment technology for reducing certain contaminants in drinking water, but it is important to know what is present in the water in order to determine what needs to be removed.

Samantha Bear

Is pH-balanced water better?

Ophora's manufacturer claims that the water's pH level of 9.5 'makes it the ideal option' for anyone looking for a healthy substitute for conventional bottled water.

The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is and ranges from 0 to 14, with a pH of 7 being neutral. Water with pH levels greater than 7 is considered alkaline.

More acidic water with pH levels lower than 6.5 can leach metals from the well and the pipes. These metals, including lead and manganese, can be toxic in large amounts. While the same is not true for alkaline water, does it mean it has exceptional health benefits?

Candrawinata says the human body tightly regulates its internal pH, especially of blood, and beverages consumed barely impact it.

"Some small studies suggest alkaline water might reduce acid reflux or mildly improve hydration in certain groups, like athletes, but these findings are far from conclusive," he tells WellnessPulse.

A 2016 study tested electrolyzed high-pH water on 100 healthy adults after physical activity. Drinking high-pH water was found to reduce high-shear blood viscosity, which increases after exercise, suggesting that alkaline water may provide better hydration.

However, a 2022 systematic review concluded that consumption of alkaline and oxygenated water did not significantly impact gut microbiota, urine pH, blood parameters, or fitness compared to consumption of mineral water.

One study indicates that combining the Mediterranean diet with alkaline water may help reduce symptoms of acid reflux. However, it is difficult to tell if the effect can be attributed to alkaline water or the diet, which itself is associated with a lower acid reflux risk.

What is the Ophora water price?

According to Ophora's website, four half-gallon glass jugs cost $99.00, or about $25 per unit.

The takeaway

Many people would benefit from increasing their water intake, whether Ophora or not, and it is up to an individual to decide if the price is worth paying.

Candrawinata says there's no harm in enjoying oxygenated or alkaline water, but regular clean water is more than enough for most people.

He tells WellnessPulse, "The real power is in consistency. Drink enough water daily, eat anti-inflammatory foods, and support your gut and immune health with nutrients like phenolic antioxidants and essential fatty acids that are backed by science."