Why ph in water is important?
Since pH can be affected by chemicals in the water, pH is an important indicator of water that is changing chemically. pH is reported in "logarithmic units". Each number represents a 10-fold change in the acidity/basicness of the water. Water with a pH of five is ten times more acidic than water having a pH of six.
You may have heard of recent diet fads or speciality drinks claiming to be "high alkaline." 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.
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.
Pure water is considered a neutral—located right in the middle of the scale—with a pH 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 in drinking water are monitored extremely closely and are required to be kept in a range of 6.5–8.5 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Though, if not regulated carefully, the effects of drinking acidic or alkaline water could be harmful. 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.
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.
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.
Drinking water and other water-based drinks of varying pH levels may play a role in a few different health factors.
Alkaline water and other alkaline products have gained popularity in recent years, becoming a new health trend. According to advocates of alkaline drinks, acidic environments in the body cause several chronic illnesses, which they claim could not persist in an alkaline environment.
The thinking behind this is that drinking alkaline water helps the body itself to become more alkaline, which will treat a number of illnesses, including cancer.
However, there is little evidence to back up these claims. While drinking alkaline water may temporarily affect the pH of the mouth or urine, there is no scientific proof that it will change the overall pH of the body.
The body strictly regulates its pH levels. Changes in the body’s internal pH, such as blood pH, can mean serious problems in the organs and tissues. So, if it were possible to change the body’s pH using food and drink, it would be dangerous to do so.
However, alkaline water may still be helpful for some people. In general, alkaline water tends to be more alkaline because it has minerals and electrolytes in it. Due to this, drinking this water after a workout or while sick may help keep minerals and electrolytes balanced and prevent dehydration.
Additionally, the findings of a smaller study suggest that people with acid reflux disease may benefit from drinking alkaline water with a pH of 8.8. The researchers found that alkaline water appears to permanently inactivate an enzyme that plays a role in heartburn, which may reduce symptoms.
Researchers have also found that drinking water with a pH of 8.5–10 may be beneficial for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) whose primary symptom is diarrhea. The people who drank water with a pH of 8.5–10 had higher self-reported quality-of-life scores after 8 weeks than those who did not.
