If someone thinks a drink does them good, it usually does. The feel good factor keeps all sorts of niggle ailments at bay. Drinking lots of fluids that are almost all water is good too, notwithstanding what the rest is made from..

But all the tosh and bollocks about restoring alkalinity in the body etc? The only way they are allowed to make stupid claims is that the claim is benign. If the drink has a slightly high alkalinity content, gastric juices (fairly acidic) drop them through pH7 anyway, releasing their trace salt and nothing more.

If something claims scientific sounding benefits, it is either controlled through pharmaceutical licence or is below therapeutic effect. (Mind over matter)

I have no issue with benign beverage claiming benefits as part of a healthy lifestyle but there is a line to draw, as the cosmetic industry knows when pole vaulting over it.