Many folks find humor in the broad variety of drinking water we are presented with in today’s retail world. For most, many advertisements with respect to what the water contains, and its quality are nothing more than a mere scam. It is simple for consumers to purchase the water that is most economically viable by dividing the volume by the price of water contained in the bottle. Today, different companies advertise minerals, forms of filtering, and pH on the label of water bottles. In this article, we are going to contradict the belief that these are all a scam by focusing on the effects pH has on the human body when it comes to drinking water.
For reference, allow me to enlighten you on the varying pH values of common drinking water brands seen in today’s retail market. Dasani, and Aquafina are between 5 and 6 on the pH scale. Poland Springs and average tap water are between 6 and 7 on the pH scale. Fiji and Lifewtr are between 7 and 8 on the pH scale. Lastly, Aquahydrate is between 9 and 10 on the pH scale. Evidently, many water brands straddle the pH level of 7 due to it being neutral; however, some waters try to be more basic. Acidity is frowned upon in beverages; for, most beverages bad for your health such as soda are between 4 and 5 on the pH scale. This contributes to the damage they do to your teeth.
Our bodies love to maintain a blood pH of about 7.4 - almost neutral. Surpassing this range by a substantial value can cause severe health issues. However, the pH advertised by water is mostly due to the other substances mentioned before such as minerals. Minerals play a large role in the pH of drinking water.
After a workout, and having perspired for a series of time, many see the need to replenish their electrolytes. Due to immense advertising, names such as Gatorade and Powerade come to mind. However, the added sugars, flavors, and other chemicals in Gatorade offset the health benefits of the gained electrolytes. Some turn to salty foods after a workout, however that not done in moderation can severely disturb blood pH.
All in all, a slight difference in pH itself has been proven to not affect much in the human body when it comes to drinking water unless the water is extremely contaminated or acidic. Electrolyte value is far more important when it comes to what is advertised on drinking water bottles. After a workout, Aquahydrate may be your best bet to replenish your electrolytes without the added sugars, flavors, or chemicals. If flavor is a massive factor for you, perhaps a flavoring such as Mio with no added calories can provide the perfect balance. To circle back to my initial statement, advertisements are not a scam - but, they must be interpreted correctly. The pros and cons must be balanced to reduce long term effects and boost the true potential of the seemingly simple water we drink every day.
Edward Khouri (6)
Hi Edward,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Salt and electrolytes are definitely important when hydrating. Coconut water is also a great option for hydration. Again, great post!
Sarah Conant
The different pH must be what contributes to some people thinking certain bottled waters taste different than others. I personally have experienced water tasting different among different containers, but I noticed most bottled or filtered water tastes the same.
ReplyDelete-Emma Alderman-Shapiro
Hi Edward,
ReplyDeleteThis post was definitely interesting to read and has got me thinking about all the different types of water being sold and their effects on the body.
Morianna Saint-Cyr