pH of Water: Why It Matters for Health and Quality of Life
What is pH?
The hydrogen index (pH) is one of the key parameters of water quality. It determines whether the medium is acidic or alkaline and directly affects the chemical and biological processes in water.
Important not to confuse:
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Acidity / alkalinity – the amount of substances in water.
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pH – an intensity indicator showing the degree of acidity or alkalinity.
Neutral, Acidic, and Alkaline Water
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Neutral water: pH = 7
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Drinking water standards: pH 6.0–9.0
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Minimum for life in water: pH = 5
Logarithmic pH scale:
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pH 6.0 → 10 times less acidic than pH 5.0
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pH 4.0 → 100 times more acidic than pH 6.0
This means even a small pH shift makes a huge difference for both water and the human body.
What Influences pH of Water?
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Carbonates and bicarbonates ↑ raise pH
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Sulfates and some impurities ↓ lower pH
Thus, the composition of water directly defines its “character.”
pH and the Human Body
Our body constantly regulates acid–alkaline balance to keep internal fluids within a stable range.
Normally, most body fluids are slightly alkaline.
Both acidic and alkaline products are needed for metabolic processes, but acids form about 20 times more than alkalis.
If this balance is disrupted, immunity suffers, energy drops, and diseases may develop.
Why Alkaline Water is Beneficial
Research shows that regular consumption of alkaline water (pH 8.5–9.0) can increase quality of life and longevity by 20–30%.
Drinking water is the foundation of health. It is even more important than food — because our bodies are made up of much more water than food.