What Is the Best pH Level for Drinking Water?

Tap water quality monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency undergoes several purification procedures before being supplied to the public, including the addition of disinfectants, such as chlorine, to guard against germs. However, there are numerous pollutants that you may not want in your body. Even chlorine in water has the potential to create carcinogenic disinfection by-products.

One of the greatest ways to prioritize our health is to make sure we drink clean, filtered water daily. One of the most efficient methods to accomplish this is to install a water-filtering system in our house. In-home filtration provides continual protection against pollutants in the water, especially in the event of a sudden spike in contaminants. While installing a water filter, we may set a pH range and alkalinity level of water.

pH indicates the number of hydrogen ions in a water-based solution.

• A pH lower than 7 indicates a higher number of hydrogen ions, making the water acidic.
• A pH higher than 7 indicates fewer hydrogen ions in the liquid, making it basic.

pH is the indicator for acidity and alkalinity. If the pH scale ranges from 1 to 14, anything below 7 is acidic and above 7 is basic. Besides basic or acidic water, pure water has a neutral pH level of 7.

Additionally, pH is a good indicator of soft or hard water. For instance, a hard water sample has a high pH level that exceeds 8.5, whereas a soft water sample has a low pH level that is less than 6.5.

Here is a quick and handy chart concerning the pH level of drinking water:

In recent years, alkaline water and other alkaline products (such as chlorine bleach) have become popular, creating a new health trend. According to advocates of alkaline beverages, acidic conditions in the body produce various chronic diseases, which they claim cannot exist in an alkaline environment. There is, however, insufficient evidence to back up these statements.

• Although drinking alkaline water may momentarily modify the pH of the mouth or urine, there is no scientific evidence that it will affect the body's overall pH.

The pH levels in the body are tightly regulated. Changes in internal pH levels, such as blood pH, might indicate significant disorders in the organs and tissues. Therefore, even if it were feasible to modify the pH of the body using food and drink, doing so would be risky.

However, alkaline water may still be beneficial to some people since it contains minerals and electrolytes.

• Drinking this water after an exercise or while sick may aid in maintaining mineral and electrolyte balance that prevents dehydration.
• Studies have suggested that people with acid reflux illness may benefit from consuming alkaline water with a pH of 8.8 because researchers discovered that the water permanently inactivates an enzyme involved in heartburn, potentially alleviating symptoms.
• According to trusted sources, drinking water with a pH of 8.5 to 10 has been proven useful for people with irritable bowel syndrome whose major symptom is diarrhea.

However, more research must be conducted to confirm these results.

If water is too alkaline or acidic, it may damage pipes and appliances and is usually unhealthy to consume. Acidic water usually has a metallic taste due to the increased iron and manganese content.

Water's pH naturally ranges between 6.5 and 8.5 on the pH scale, which is normal. If the pH of water drops too far outside this range, it may be unsafe to drink and carry potential health risks.