Don't Confuse pH With Alkalinity
Before I start discussing this I need to acknowledge that the information I write about has been the result of conversations with Robert Slovak and listening to lectures on this subject. Robert Slovak is a degreed Mechanical and Astronautical Engineer and a respected scientist. He has over 30 years of experience in the water treatment industry, specializing in membrane separation technology and products. Mr. Slovak has been featured on many health sites and blogs including Dr. Mercola.
I am going to become very unpopular with people who are selling water that is supposed to be of "high alkalinity." The term "alkaline water" means that the water has a pH that is greater than 7.0. That's it. Nothing more! Many companies are selling "Alkaline" filters and using pH meters to demonstrate that the alkalinity has been raised because the pH tests at 8.5, or 9.5 or even 10.5. They are confusing elevated pH with raised alkalinity. The fact is: THERE IS NO CONNECTION! Just raising the pH with an "alkaline filter" does not, in itself, raise the alkalinity. Water with high alkalinity may be beneficial in some circumstances to the body, but raising the pH serves no function whatsoever. IT IS NOT ALKALINE WATER THAT YOU NEED, IT IS WATER WITH ALKALINITY!
So, if you are buying a filter for the purpose of substantially raising the alkalinity of the water you drink, you are most likely being duped by "junk or pseudo science." This is real science that I am speaking about - merely raising the pH does not raise the alkalinity. That's junk science. The pH of water is not the indicator of it's capacity for neutralizing acid. Alkalinity is the indicator of the water's capacity to neutralize acid. Alkalinity measures the ability of a solution to neutralize acids - pH has no relation to that process. A water solution that is alkaline is not necessarily "alkalizing." Do not be duped into thinking "Alkaline pH" means that the water has significant alkalinity. Tests have shown that even the best "alkaline filters" raise the alkalinity only 30 to 35 mg/l which is insignificant. A half-tablespoon of Baking Soda add 1500 mg/l of alkalinity to the water at a pH of 8.4. Spinach juice has an alkalinity of 2250 mg/l but at a pH of 6.7. Like I said earlier, the pH has no correlation to alkalinity. There is a great deal of mis-information out there about water treatment. Most people I have talked to who are promoting alkaline water have little to no understanding of this. If you want to alkalize your water, you don't add an alkaline filter - it is a waste of money and it does nothing. Here are the only ways that you can alkalize your water:
- Add 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of baking soda to a large glass of water;
- Consume foods and beverages rich in mineral alkalinity buffers, especially "green juices;"
- Add alkaline powders to the water.
There are a lot of misconceptions in the health-improvement industry about the pH and alkaline correlation. For instance, look at this popular chart:
That's a pretty impressive chart, but it's not correct. For example, they say lemon has a pH of 10 - it's really 2.69. They say the same thing about spinach, but it has a pH of 6.69. They also say RO water has a pH of between 4 and 5. In reality, it's usually about 6.5 or 6.6. Be careful of what you believe. Here's what you need to know about alkaline water: if you are buying a filter to alkalize your water, you would be better served giving it to the Tooth Fairy. You can alkalize your water, but it has to be with one of the above methods. Simply raising the pH does not alkalize the water. Reverse osmosis continues to be the most economical and effective way to purify water and if you want to raise the pH and re-mineralize, then an alkaline-type filter is effective. At US Water Systems, we do sell a re-mineralization filter, right HERE, but just not for the reason most companies say they are selling it. The is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.
71 Comments
Hi Mark
Interesting article. I must admit that I am confused though. I drink distilled water. I have recently tested it’s ph level and it is at about 4, so it is acidic. Should I be concerned about this, and if so, what is a good affordable option for increasing the ph level, as the water is free of contaminants so further filtration would do nothing. Lots of conflicting information out there.
Thanks
I would not be concerned as the water become the pH of your body when it passes through the cell wall.
That said, there can be excellent health effects from drinking True Alkaline Water. We are presently working on a product that will do that. Stay tuned .
Hi Mark,
Wanted to draw a clear distinction from something you said.
“If your bodies pH is not between 7.35 and 7.45, you are DEAD!”
While that may be true for the pH of the blood in your body, the pH of your digestive tract can remain much different. Ever tested the pH of your urine out saliva and found it to be well outside the range you mentioned? That’s because your digestive tract is self contained and reacts to the foods and liquids we consume.
Secondly, on another page from this site it said
“Thats a pretty impressive chart, but its not correct. For example, they say lemon has a pH of 10 its really 2.69. ".
You should understand that while the lemon itself is very acidic, a clear distinction should be drawn between the acidity of the food itself and the effect it has on your digestive tract which is what the target audience here is interested in. Lemons are the single most alkalizing food out there if you want to increase the pH of your digestive tract. The minute you consume them, your digestive system will start to produce highly alkaline digestive aids to help break the acidic lemon down. So it’s not the acidity of the food itself you should measure, but instead the effect it has on your body (digestive tract specifically).
I am not sure what your point is. You try and find two things that are not really important and twist then in a way that you can prove whatever your obscure point is. You are just silly.
I agree with John here, also Mark’s condescending know-it-all attitude is wrought with false information.
Of course you do. Your e-mail is bogus – you are a troll and sorry to offend you, but you also are a dumbass. You have added nothing… Like Jim Rome said “Have a take and do not suck.” You have no take! Good day sir!
Hi Mark, I am in drinking water production business for some time now. the pH of ourwater before cartridge filter is 7.1 but after the cartridge filter the pH goes up to 7.5. We have anacticated carbon filter before the carbon filter. Any explanation to this. I cant believe it but is true.
thanks.
Sure, it depends upon the filter.
We are using 5 micron filter. The brand is So Safe. Correction ** activated carbon filter
Hello,
Mark, thank you for your article.
Yesterday I made a water analysis of my well and the results were these:
Hardness 450 ppm
Alkalinity 180 ppm
pH 9
I have been drinking this water and cooking with it for about 3 years. No health problems. The taste is good. No significant problems at all. Nevertheless, I began to have skin problems a couple of months ago (just on my face nor on my body). I have red about the correlation between hardness and skin problems as dermatitis.
I will appreciate your recommendations and what I can do about it.
Is the 180ppm alkalinity good? and the pH 9? May I (and my family) continue drinking this water as a good water?
Thank you for your honesty.
I would need to see a detailed Water Analysis like this:
https://www.uswatersystems.com/us-water-systems-professional-lab-water-test.html
Then I can make a scientific determination and guarantee the results.
Mark hello, wow, sigh. I had acid reflux really bad and couldnt think of eating citrus of course so I started drinking Icelandic glacial 8.4 ph and my symptoms went away and I eat at least one grapefruit a day. I go thru 12 500ml bottles every two weeks which Im realizing is only almost 2 cups a day if that. I now see from your article that glacials ph has nothing to do with its ability to reduce acids in my stomach. I saw another site that said glacial alkalinity in ppm is 40. Can you tell me if this is good alkalinity to reduce acid in my stomach. If its not something else has changed with me causing no acid reflux symptoms and if this is the case I am happy because this water is expensive and that is the reason behind my searching. I need to drink way more water 8 cups a day of course and I am trying to do this most economically while drinking high alkalinity water. Please some suggestions it seems like the powder is the way to go most fool proof, you didnt list any specific powders can you tell me some please. I would just be adding it to tap water if that will do the trick. Im trying to avoid filters and bottled water if I can. Thank you so much in advance.
I am not sure that avoiding filters is a good thing. Well, actually – I am sure. It’s not a good thing. There are so many chemicals and contaminants in the water supply.
We are coming out with anew product for TRUE Alkaline Water soon. Stay tuned.
Hi Mark,
What do you think about making your alkaline water in case there’s no money to buy a good one, by chopping some ginger, cucumber, and key limes and you add those ingredients in the water you drink the water after a few hours. Thank you for your response.
I have no point of reference, but I would bet, the water would be acidic, not alkaline…