The Role of pH in Our Health

pH, explained 

pH may look like it belongs on the periodic table of elements, but it’s actually a unit of measurement. The abbreviation pH stands for potential hydrogen, and it tells us how much hydrogen is in liquids—and how active the hydrogen ion is.

How pH came to be 

Danish chemist Soren Sorensen first came up with the concept of pH back in 1893 when he was studying the beer-making process. He discovered that measuring the pH of a liquid could tell us how acidic it is and, most importantly, that 7 is a balanced pH for water. Anything below 7 is acidic, anything above 7 is alkaline and neutral solutions have a pH of 7, as explained by Science Buddies.

Finding a balance: pH and the human body 

What’s better for you: sucking on a lemon or snacking on a bunch of bananas? To answer this question, you first need to understand the impact of pH on your body and how to manage its delicate balance. 

The fine line between acidic and alkaline 

The human body has a natural pH of 7.4 and it needs to maintain this level in order to function at its peak. Everything we consume has its own pH level. So our bodies are constantly working to restore the fragile balance that’s temporarily disrupted whenever we eat or drink something that’s too acidic or alkaline. This process is called cellular homeostasis—the body’s ability to maintain balance in the face of external challenges. 

pH and fresh water

The human body is made up of 70 percent water. So it’s no surprise that H2O plays a key role in stabilizing our natural pH level. That’s one of the reasons we’re always being told to drink lots of water. But not just any water. Water with a pH of between 7.2 and 7.8 is ideal for maintaining good health. 

When we drink liquids that are too acidic or too alkaline, it can disrupt the body’s delicate balance, which can lead to the development of bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeasts and parasites. Bottom line? Choose your water wisely and drink plenty of it. 

Don’t forget your vegetables 

Striking the perfect pH balance isn’t all about water. The food we eat plays a role too. Acidosis, a condition that occurs when our internal environment becomes too acidic, can be caused by eating too much meat or sugar. To avoid the body stress of acidosis and the fatigue and energy loss it causes, fill up on plenty of vegetables, fruits and seeds with alkalizing properties—like green beans, asparagus, cucumbers, carrots, buckwheat, quinoa, brown rice, coconut and avocados. 

Minerals and their many benefits 

It’s not just acidic foods that can disrupt your body’s balance. Drinking water that’s had its minerals removed can do it too. The minerals in water not only help to give it a distinctive taste, they also have a positive impact on its pH level. Each mineral, depending on its own ionic composition, directly affects the pH level and purity of the water. 

A glass of perfectly balanced water, please 

Did you know that drinking water that’s more alkaline (with a pH higher than 7) can help restore your body’s balance by lowering your internal acidity level? It can also help you save on your dental bill as acidic drinks are one of the leading causes of cavities!

Follow your true nature and keep your body hydrated with  natural spring water

Why try to imitate nature when it’s perfect as it is? As a general rule, heavily purified water—even if it’s been remineralized—has a pH of below 7. On the other hand, water taken from underground sources that hasn’t been treated or mineralized in any way almost always has a pH of between 7.2 and 7.8, making natural spring water ideal for maintaining our body’s natural pH balance. 

With a pH of between 7.3 and 7.8, Eska is one of the healthiest and most balanced spring waters around. Just one more reason to raise a glass (of Eska) to your health!

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