Why You Need to Know the pH of Your Water
Acidic v. Alkaline
We all know we should drink more water. But have you ever stopped to ask what the pH of your water actually is?
It might sound like a chemistry class question. But it matters more than you think. If your water is too acidic or too alkaline, it can throw your whole system off balance.
I had a patient who traveled to Arizona often for work. Every trip, he stocked up on a specific brand of bottled water, kept it in his cooler, and drank it all day. And every trip, he developed terrible heartburn.
When we tested his brand with simple pH drops, it was surprisingly acidic. We switched him to a neutral pH water, and his heartburn went away right away.
Why does pH matter? Acidic beverages can irritate both your bladder and your esophagus.
Take kombucha, for example. It is a fermented tea, and it is very acidic. Its pH usually falls between 2.5 and 3.5. It is full of probiotics, which is great for your gut. But that high acidity can irritate your esophagus, your bladder, and even erode your tooth enamel. If you drink kombucha, I suggest rinsing your mouth with plain water afterward to protect your teeth.
On the other hand, water that is too alkaline can cause problems too.
Years ago, I bought an alkaline water system for my home when they were all the rage. I thought if alkaline water is good, more must be better. So I set my machine to a pH of 11.
For months, I struggled with bloating. Looking back, I realized the highly alkaline water was neutralizing the stomach acid I needed for proper digestion.
Here is the reality. Tap water typically has a neutral pH between 6.5 and 8.5. But bottled water varies wildly depending on the source and how it is processed. Some test as low as 5.5, which is acidic. Some go as high as 9.0, which is very alkaline.
Here is what I recommend. Buy an inexpensive bottle of pH drops online. Test your tap water. Test your favorite bottled brand. Test your sparkling water.
You might be shocked at what you find.
It is not just about staying hydrated. It is about chemistry. And it can affect your digestion, your bladder, and even your teeth.
The next time you reach for a bottle of water, ask yourself this. Do you know the pH?
Authored by Gerard Guillory, MD
Gerard Guillory, MD, is a board-certified internist who practiced for nearly four decades with a focus on functional, root-cause medicine. He is the author of three books on irritable bowel syndrome and the founder of It’s My Health, where he and his team put current health news in context and help members understand the underlying causes of chronic symptoms.
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