Does the pH of Water Matter? The Truth from a Chiropractor's Perspective

As a chiropractor, I believe that hydration is crucial for maintaining spinal health and overall wellness. Water is essential for lubricating joints, cushioning organs, regulating body temperature, and transporting nutrients throughout the body. However, I often get asked whether the pH of water matters for hydration and overall health. In this blog post, I want to share my perspective on this topic and clear up some common misconceptions.

Firstly, let's define pH. pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is and is measured on a scale of 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, while a pH below 7 is considered acidic and a pH above 7 is considered alkaline.

Now, does the pH of water matter? The short answer is, it depends. In general, our bodies are designed to maintain a pH balance within a narrow range of 7.35 to 7.45. This means that consuming too much acidic or alkaline water can potentially disrupt this delicate balance and have negative health consequences.

That being said, some people advocate for the benefits of drinking alkaline water, which typically has a pH of 8 or higher. Supporters claim that alkaline water can neutralize acid in the body, reduce inflammation, and even slow down the aging process. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support these claims, and some studies suggest that excessive consumption of alkaline water can lead to mineral deficiencies and other health issues.

On the other hand, acidic water, with a pH below 7, can potentially have some benefits when used topically for skin conditions or disinfecting surfaces. However, drinking excessively acidic water can lead to dental erosion and other health issues.

In my opinion, the most important factor when it comes to water consumption is staying properly hydrated. The average adult should aim to drink at least 8 cups of water per day, and more if they engage in physical activity or live in a hot climate. Drinking enough water helps to flush toxins out of the body, maintain healthy bowel function, and prevent dehydration.

It's worth noting that while the pH of water can have an effect on the body's overall acid-base balance, the pH of water we drink may not necessarily impact the pH of our blood or other bodily fluids. This is because the stomach is highly acidic, with a pH of around 1.5 to 3.5, which means that it can easily neutralize any alkaline or acidic substances we ingest. Thus, the pH of the water we drink is unlikely to have a significant impact on the overall pH balance of our body. Nonetheless, it's still important to pay attention to the quality and mineral content of the water we consume, as it can have various effects on our overall health and wellbeing.

In conclusion, while the pH of water can be important in certain contexts, such as skincare or disinfecting, it is not the most crucial factor when it comes to hydration and overall health. As a chiropractor, I recommend that my patients focus on staying properly hydrated by drinking enough water and eating a healthy, balanced diet.

Keywords: pH of water, alkaline water, acidic water, hydration, health, chiropractic care

References:

• Environmental Protection Agency. (2012). Water: pH and Acid Neutralizing Capacity. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-11/documents/2005_11_22_faq_fs_healthseries_ph-acidneutralizingcapacity.pdf
• Heil, D., & Seifert, J. (2010). Influence of bottled water on rehydration following a dehydrating bout of cycling exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 7(1), 1-6.
• World Health Organization. (2011). Guidelines for drinking-water quality. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/2011/dwq_guidelines/en/
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• Heil, P., & Osborn, K. (2012). Acidity and mineral content of bottled waters. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, 47(4), 371-376.
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• Alderighi, M., & Barontini, F. (2017). Acid-base balance and pH regulation in the gastrointestinal tract. Digestive and Liver Disease, 49(3), 267-276.
• Wesson, D. E., & Simoni, J. (2018). Acid retention during kidney failure induces endothelin and aldosterone production which lead to progressive GFR decline, a situation ameliorated by alkali diet. Kidney International, 94(4), 682-685.
• Remer, T., & Manz, F. (2003). Potential renal acid load of foods and its influence on urine pH. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 103(5), 582-589.
• ​Krapf, R., & Vetsch, R. (2018). Nephrocalcinosis. In Pediatric Nephrology (pp. 1277-1295). Springer, Cham.

This blog post was written with the help of google search, research articles and the use of AI. For informational purposes only. ​