The pH level measures how many charged particles (or hydrogen ions) exist in a liquid or solution. If there are more H+, the pH is lower, and if there are more OH- it’s higher. A reading of 7.0 is neutral. Liquids with a pH lower than 7 are considered acidic, whereas anything above 7 is basic. A liquid’s ability to resist changes to its pH level is referred to as its alkalinity, which is used by water quality experts as a measurement of susceptibility to changes in acidity.
The best pH level for drinking water is 7 which is neutral, slightly more alkaline than pure water. Pure water needs to be slightly alkaline in order to be the best drinking water because the body prefers a slightly alkaline pH of 7.365. This can be measured on a pH meter and is easily determined.
A common misconception is that drinking alkaline water will neutralize acid in the body and promote a healthy pH balance. However, it’s been shown that stress and allergy symptoms may reduce the amount of acid your body produces, thus altering your levels in some cases. While everyone’s body reacts differently to outside factors, such as diet, exercise, medicines and supplements, the human body is known to balance itself out naturally. It isn’t recommended that you change your life based on your pH level; instead, eat a well-balanced diet and live a healthy lifestyle.
A pH of 7 is neutral, and a pH less than 7 is acidic. The less acidic the water is, the higher its pH. In general, water with a pH lower than 7 is considered acidic, and with a pH greater than 7 is considered basic. The normal range for pH in surface water systems is 6.5 to 8.5, and the pH range for groundwater systems is between 6 to 8.5
The ideal range for drinking water is 6.5-7.5 pH; the lower the acidity level, the better. Low acidity allows the body to absorb water more efficiently, which helps prevent illness and promote overall wellness. Water with a very high pH is not as beneficial to our bodies because it is less efficient at hydrating us and can cause slight harm over time to our organs, skin and enamel of teeth.
The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14: The lower the pH, the higher the acidity; the higher the pH, the lower the acidity. A stomach that is very acidic has a pH of 1, while battery acid has a pH of 0. Neutral water has a pH of 7 and alkaline water purifier has a pH of 9 and above. Alkaline water with a high pH level is beneficial because it can neutralize acid in your body
The best water to drink is naturally alkaline, with a pH level of 8 or 9, but nothing beats H2O, water is for life. The good news is that all the acidic beverages we consume (regular or filtered coffee and juice), along with many of the acidic fruits and vegetables we eat (apples, pears and potatoes), all leave an alkaline residue in the body once digested.