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,
I get RO water, sometimes distilled water, add trace minerals and adjust ph (and alkalinity) with soda ash rather than baking soda. Baking soda maxes out at and tends to buffer to about 8.4. Soda ash requires a lot less and raises both pH and alkalinity. You can get higher pH’s than 8.4 with it if that is what you want. An article on Soda Ash and Bicarb can be found at: http://www.anotherperfectpoolnews.com/wp-content/uploads/Tech_Talk/onbalance_ks_sodaashandbicarb.pdf
If you like the taste of a tablespoon of baking soda in a glass of water- use baking soda. If not, or you are a low sodium diet, try soda ash. In either case, use test strips and or pH reagent drops to test the results of your water adjustments. I end up using about a sixteenth of a teaspoon or less in five gallons of distilled water to get about 7.5-8.0 pH. Seems RO is more responsive than D.W. and am still finding what amount works best for RO.
What is interesting is that baking soda can be converted to soda ash by baking it on a cookie sheet in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about thirty minutes. (https://wellnessmama.com/76866/washing-soda/)
What’s your take on soda ash vs baking soda?
Mark what do you think about water with a low Ph being the cause for acid reflux? is there any truth to this?
I am not a doctor, but I would doubt that.
This is earth-shattering "
IT IS NOT ALKALINE WATER THAT YOU NEED, IT IS WATER WITH ALKALINITY!
And better yet, as you stated, best to get minerals from food other than water and water has a different purpose.
As per Dr Pollack, the 4th phase of water, best may simply be highly cleansed water which allows for efficia=ent 4th phase EZ eater.
what about hydrogen water? Using hydrogen drops or hydrogen water machines?
Any opinions on ozone water or methods for alkalizing?
Joe
Joe,
We are testing several things right now, and they show promise. We have tried hydrogen tablets, but they imparted a bitter taste. At this juncture we are being very cautious because there is a lot of misinformation out there. Stay tuned!
Hi Mark,
We live in Southern California. The water is mild hard120 ppm, ph around 8.2, alkalinity 180 ppm (lab tested). The water is treated with chloramine. We were having skin and hair issues so we installed a certified chloramine catalytic carbon filter system. Our hair is much nicer now but our skin is even drier now. Anything that a catalytic carbon filter could be adding to the water that would justify the skin to be drier? Can the filter increase the water ph in any way? Does a high ph interferes on how soap is removed from our skin? Our last ph reading measured with a strip was 9. It also showed zero chlorine reading. Should we be concerned about a water ph 9 causing any health effects? Can you suggest any of the systems you sell to solve the skin dryness issues based on our water chemistry information?
I have some questions:
1. What type of chloramine filter do you have? It is a tank or a cartridge? A cartridge wont remove enough chloramine.
2. I would not worry about the pH.
3. I would worry about the hardness. Soft water will help your skin and hair more than anything.
I’ve tested RO systems with PH ranging from 3.5-6.0
All of which have thus far tested acidic. There’s a reason why all the components are plastic because if you use copper or metal piping the low pH would be corrosive. Ask a plumber.
Well, 3.5 is low. Typically, it is 5.5 to 6.0.
I also am a plumber, so what is your point?
Mark, I’m looking at a RO system that runs water through a crushed marble filter twice that is supposed to have an “Artesian” water affect. Is this creating alkaline water or simply raising the PH?
thanks for all the insight.
It is simply raising the pH. That’s all. We have a new filter coming out shortly called “Alkali-Zing Filter”. It really produces alkaline water. Watch for it.
Hi Mark,
We have elevated radon in our home. Havent tested our well water but would like to add a carbon filter to remove any potential radon since we get our water from the underground well. Would this lower our pH? Just curious because we have copper pipes and dont want to cause leaching or breakdown of our pipes. Our well water tested at a pH of 7.2 and alkalinity of 230. We do, however, use RO for our drinking/cooking water to ensure it is clean so the pH is lower on that. Thank you for your input
Melissa,
There is no correlation of radon in your home and radon in your water. Just because you have it in your home, does not mean it is in your water. Furthermore, if you have significant radon in your water, a carbon filter will not remove it. The RO is a great idea. Even the carbon filter is a great idea (just not if you have high radon) but with high radon you would need areation or air stripping. Our Bodyguard and Bodyguard Plus systems remove the largest spectrum of contaminants of any carbon filter system. A carbon filter will not affect the pH or cause plumbing problems.
Hello,
Thanks for the informative article, Mark. We are building a new home, with a newly drilled well, and lab tests have determined that our iron levels are very high.
We are seeking a whole house filter, and I am definitely interested in alkalanization (to the extent possible – I have read and understood your points about standard water alkalanizers). What would you recommend in this scenario? And when will the Alkali-Zing filter be available?
Thank you!
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