You may have heard of recent diet fads or speciality drinks claiming to be "high alkaline." But why is it important to know the pH of your drinking water? What does this mean and how does it relate to pH level? Buckle your seatbelt and get ready for a crash course in understanding water pH and acidity.
What is pH?
According to Wikipedia , in chemistry, pH is a numeric scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. The scale runs from 0 to 14. If it is located lower on the scale, it is more acidic. If it is located higher on the scale, it is more basic, or alkaline. Processed foods and products like yogurt, fish, and cheese are typically more acidic while vegetables like beets, bell peppers, and kale are high alkaline.
pH of water
Pure water is considered a neutral—located right in the middle of the scale—with a pH of water of 7. Unfortunately, not all water is pure and is rarely ever at this actual level. So why do the pH levels of water change? There are many contributing factors that can effect the acidity and alkalinity of water. The first and most prominent of these is the bedrock and soil composition in which the water is located. Depending on the rock type, acidity in the water might be neutralized. On the other hand, plant growth and organic material located near the water can actually increase acidity due to the emission of carbon dioxide when decomposition occurs. Other factors include the dumping of chemicals, acid precipitation, and coal mine drainage.
pH levels
The pH levels in drinking water are heavily regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure that they fall within the safe range of 6.5 to 8.5. Failure to maintain these levels can have detrimental effects on human health. Water that is too acidic or alkaline can lead to various health issues, such as digestive problems, skin irritation, and even more serious conditions over time. Therefore, it is crucial for municipalities and water treatment facilities to carefully monitor and adjust the pH levels of drinking water to protect the well-being of consumers.
Drinking water quality
When water is below a pH level of 7, it has a corrosive quality to it. This means it could contain iron, copper, lead, or zinc from plumping and various other metal fixtures. It will have a bitter and metallic taste to it. High alkaline water doesn't pose health risks but does cause aesthetic problems. Formation of scale or precipitate on piping, fixtures, dishes, and utensils will occur. The taste will have a baking soda-like taste and will have a slippery feel.
So what happens if your body isn't balanced?
Being either too alkaline or too acidic can be detrimental to your health. The importance of water pH is to keep your body in balance and to regulate metabolic processes. A diet high in acidity will lead to weight gain, slower immune response, and susceptibility to disease, while a diet too alkaline will lead to inability to metabolize key nutrients. Our bodies are constantly working to achieve a balanced pH level. The foods we eat, the liquids we drink, even the emotions we feel, are all contributing to our pH level.
Acidic water
Drinking acidic water can pose several risks to our health. One of the main concerns is that acidic water can erode the enamel on our teeth, leading to tooth decay and sensitivity. This erosion can also affect the dental restorations such as fillings, crowns, and veneers, causing them to deteriorate more quickly.
Additionally, acidic water can also irritate the stomach lining, leading to digestive issues such as acid reflux and indigestion. Prolonged consumption of acidic water can also disrupt the natural pH balance in the body, which can have negative effects on our overall health.
Furthermore, acidic water can also leach harmful minerals such as lead and copper from pipes, which can contaminate the water supply and pose a serious health risk. It is important to regularly test the pH level of drinking water and take appropriate measures to neutralize acidity if necessary to prevent these potential risks to our health.
pH test
Eldorado Natural Spring Water has an average pH level of 7.33, almost a perfect score on the scale. It is one of the closest options you can get to pure water and your body will surely thank you for it. Check out our products, we would love to help you get your body back in balance.
This blog was previously published on 2/08/2016
