Does it matter what liquid you use to take pills? Yes, according to university researchers in Budapest. Healthcare professionals generally assume medications will be taken with plain tap water. That is not always obvious to patients, given the wide variety mineral and medicinal waters on the market. The study found alkaline and mineral waters break down the enteric coating on medications in the stomach, making them less effective before reaching the intestines, their intended destination. By contrast, more acidic beverages caused less damage to the enteric coatings. The researchers say their findings do not mean mineral or medicinal waters are bad for us, rather plain water is best to assure maximum effectiveness of medications.