Water plays a vital role in almost every function of the human body. More than half of an adult’s body weight is made up of water, and it supports digestion, circulation, temperature regulation, and waste removal. Health authorities commonly advise drinking around two to three litres of water daily, depending on age, activity level, and climate. While most of us focus on how much water we drink, fewer people consider what type of water we consume.
One commonly discussed characteristic of water is its pH level.
Understanding pH Levels
pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. The pH scale ranges from 1 to 14:
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pH 1–6 indicates acidity
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pH 7 is neutral
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pH 8–14 indicates alkalinity
Pure water has a neutral pH of about 7. In everyday life, pH is measured using indicators or digital meters, often represented visually through a colour-coded pH scale.
However, water rarely exists in a perfectly pure form. Once it comes into contact with air, soil, or minerals, its pH can change.
Natural Variations in Water pH
Water that flows over rocks and through soil can naturally absorb minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These minerals may raise the water’s pH slightly, making it more alkaline, typically in the range of pH 8 to 9. This is why spring water or mineral water may have a higher pH than distilled or purified water.
Municipal drinking water is usually treated to remain close to neutral, as extreme acidity or alkalinity can damage pipes and affect taste.
What Is Alkaline Water?
Alkaline water refers to water with a pH higher than 7. It may occur naturally due to mineral content or be produced artificially through filtration systems or ionisers. These systems increase pH by adding minerals or altering the water’s chemical balance.
In recent years, alkaline water has gained popularity in wellness and alternative health circles, often promoted as a way to counteract acidity in the body.
Can Alkaline Water Change Your Body’s pH?
This is where clarification is important. The human body tightly regulates its internal pH, especially blood pH, which remains within a very narrow range. Drinking alkaline water does not significantly change blood pH, as excess acids or bases are rapidly corrected by the lungs and kidneys.
While alkaline water may temporarily affect the pH of urine, this does not reflect changes in overall body chemistry.
Potential Benefits — What the Evidence Says
Some people report subjective benefits from drinking alkaline water, such as improved taste, better hydration habits, or reduced acid reflux symptoms. A small number of studies suggest alkaline water may help neutralise stomach acid temporarily, which could offer relief for certain individuals.
However, many broader claims — including slowing ageing, improving energy through “ions,” enhancing nutrient absorption, or regulating blood sugar — lack strong scientific evidence. Claims about alkaline water being broken into “smaller molecules” are also inaccurate; water molecules remain chemically identical regardless of pH.
Is Alkaline Water Safe?
For most healthy individuals, drinking alkaline water in moderation is generally safe. That said, excessive consumption of highly alkaline water may interfere with digestion or mineral balance in rare cases, especially for people with kidney conditions or those on certain medications.
Plain drinking water remains the gold standard for hydration.
Choosing the Right Water for You
Ultimately, the best water is water that you enjoy drinking and can consume consistently throughout the day. Whether it is tap water, filtered water, mineral water, or mildly alkaline water, staying adequately hydrated is far more important than focusing solely on pH.
For most people, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins does far more to support health than altering the pH of drinking water.
Conclusion
Understanding the pH of water can help consumers make informed choices, but it is important to separate proven science from marketing claims. While alkaline water may appeal to some for taste or personal preference, it should not be viewed as a cure-all or a substitute for good nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits.
Hydration remains essential — and when it comes to water, consistency and quality matter more than pH alone. PRIME