Your drinking water’s pH level could impact your health—learn how to keep it balanced for better well-being.
Acidic water can have unexpected health impacts on our bodies. Water is necessary for life and everyone, but when it comes to water PH balance, it is essential for our body. The right pH balance can impact everything from digestion to skin health.
What are Acidic Water Health Effects and how does it come about?
Acidic water has a pH level below 7, often due to natural processes or pollution.
Natural processes and anthropogenic actions both ways have the potential to produce acidic water which in general has a pH value <7. In nature, soil, tree roots, and microbes in the soil can influence the decreased pH of water.
They include industrial pollution, chemical wastes, acid rain, and some other related human activities. This low pH water negatively affects metal pipes as it triggers metal compounds such as lead and copper into the water; these are dangerous to health.
Can Drinking Acidic Water Cause Health Problems?
Consuming acidic water constantly comes with adverse effects it is advisable to avoid consuming it frequently more so for an extended period.
Impure water with a low pH presents the following health effects: Long-term exposure to other influences present in low pH waters may result in illness from soluble heavy metals in the water. Some risks include:
- Tooth decay: Acidic water is corrosive to the tooth’s enamel surface which may lead to sensitivity and dental cavities.
- Digestive discomfort: Acidic water can irritate your stomach and esophagus, especially if you have acid reflux.
- Bone health: The acidic water may affect the calcium absorption of the body which leads to deterioration of bones and bone loss.
- Skin issues: Low-pH water damages the skin, causes itchiness, and exacerbates conditions such as atopic dermatitis.
What Happens if Water Becomes Too Acidic?
Acidic water in the environment can impact both humans and ecosystems.
Lack of water bodies the natural PH of water such as rivers and lakes is harmfully low to support life forms. Pisciculture, aquatics, and soil microorganisms are particularly vulnerable to acidity in water.
Also, there are problems of corrosion of metals in natural water as well as in industrialized water.
5 Reasons Why Acidic Water Is Bad for You
Slightly acidic water, with a pH below 7, can have dangerous health effects. These effects may not be immediately noticeable but can accumulate over time, potentially causing harm to your health in the long run. Monitoring and managing acidic water health effects is essential to avoid hidden risks.
Here are five key reasons why:
It Can Damage Your Digestive System
Drinking acidic water regularly can irritate your digestive system, leading to discomfort. The acidity can aggravate conditions like acid reflux and upset your stomach. Prolonged exposure to acidic beverages may worsen these conditions, causing chronic digestive issues.
It Leeches Harmful Heavy Metals
This is liabilities or damages, for example; the inhabitants of areas served by acidic water may find their pipes to be corroded, especially the metallic ones like copper.
Therefore, drinking water that contains contaminated heavy metals causes severe health problems such as; heavy metal toxicity and neurological disorders in children, especially infants.
It Can Lead to Skin Problems
If you wash your face or take a shower using the acidic water you end up stripping skin oils and your skin becomes dry and itchy. Chronic exposure to these causative agents for persons with some inflammatory skin disease e.g. eczema or atopic dermatitis leads to itching and inflammation of the skin.
It Weakens Bone Health
Acidic water may disrupt the body’s ability to absorb calcium effectively, leading to weakened bones over time. This may lead to a decrease in the densities of the bones and other problems such as fractures of the bones.
If you are interested in your bone’s health, it is important to make sure that your drinking water’s pH balance is at its ‘neutral’.
It May Affect Your Gut Health
The alkalinity of water that is available affects your gut microbes in some way. What you didn’t know is that the pH of the water has an impact on the state of your gut microbiome. Drinking water having low pH may cause an imbalance of bacteria within one’s gut and hence affects the health of any person.
How Does Acidic Water Affect Digestion and Gut Health After Drinking Water?
Drinking acidic water can upset the stomach and harm the gut microbiome. Especially in people with sensitive digestion.
The stomach has its acidity to energize the digestive system and provide protection from pathogenic organisms in food. However, people suffering from acid reflux, heartburn, or any other gut problem might find it uncomfortable to drink acidic water.
Why Is Drinking Alkaline Water (pH 9.5) Often Recommended?
Alkaline water may help neutralize acidity in the body, offering some potential benefits.
Alkaline water, with a pH above 7, is popular for its potential health benefits. Some studies suggest that drinking alkaline water may improve hydration, support digestion, and help balance the body’s acidity, offering various alkaline water benefits.
- Improve hydration: It may be absorbed more quickly than neutral water.
- Help with acid reflux: It might neutralize some of the stomach’s acidity, offering relief.
- Support bone health: Alkaline water health benefits include aiding in calcium absorption, which can help strengthen bones over time.
While the health benefits of higher pH water are still debated, it is generally considered safe and may help neutralize the body’s pH balance. For optimal hydration, it’s important to find the best pH level for drinking water that supports overall health.
Risks of Contaminants in Acidic Water
When water has a low pH, it can dissolve metals like copper, lead, and mercury from metal pipes. Long-term exposure to these metals through drinking acidic water can lead to health issues, such as:
- Neurological disorders: Heavy metal exposure can impact brain function and behavior.
- Heart disease: Certain metals are linked to cardiovascular issues.
- Gut health issues: Heavy metals can harm the gut microbiome, leading to digestive problems.
Acidic water can also develop a metallic taste, especially if it’s dissolving copper pipes or other contaminants in the water system.
Symptoms of Acidic Water: How to Spot the Signs
Exposure to acidic water can lead to various health symptoms. If you feel any of the following, it might be an obvious sign that your water’s pH levels are too disturbed:
- Skin Irritation: This substance is also found to necessarily produce dryness, itching, or even worsening of conditions. It includes eczema or atopic dermatitis after frequent exposure to it in the form of acidic water.
- Stomach Issues: If you continue to drink water that has a low pH, it will irritate the lining of your stomach causing acid reflux, indigestion, or discomfort.
- Metallic Taste: Acidic water often leaches metals from pipes, which may result in a strange, metallic taste in your drinking water.
- Corroded Pipes: If you notice blue or green stains on your sink or faucets, it’s a sign that acidic water is corroding your plumbing, releasing harmful metals.
Why It’s Important to Monitor pH Levels in Water
These symptoms highlight the importance of checking the pH levels in drinking water regularly. With acidic water, the health risks can accumulate over time, affecting both your body and your home.
How Does pH in Water Affect Our Health?
Water pH can influence bodily functions, gut health, and skin.
The pH level of drinking water plays an important role in maintaining health. Here’s how different pH levels affect the body:
- Neutral water (pH 7): Safe for most people and typically used in tap water systems.
- Acidic water (low pH): Can irritate the skin and increase the risk of heavy metal exposure.
- Alkaline water (high pH): This may help balance acidity in the body, offering potential benefits for both hydration and digestion. If you’re wondering, alkaline water—is it good for you? It could be a great option to support your body’s pH balance and overall well-being.
How to Protect Your Home from Acidic Water Damage
Acidic water can damage plumbing and appliances over time. To protect your home, install a water-neutralizing filter or use a pH-balancing system.
This helps prevent corrosion, saves your pipes, and keeps your water safe to drink.
Can Alkaline Water Improve Your Health?
Soft water with a pH greater than 7 is believed to offer health benefits like alkalizing body fluids and aiding digestion. However, it’s essential to ensure your water complies with EPA Water Quality Standards to avoid harmful contaminants.
What Are Blue-Green Stains and Metallic Tastes from Acidic Water?
Blue-green stains and metallic tastes in water are signs of metal leaching from pipes.
If you see blue-green stains on sinks or tubs, it may mean acidic water is corroding copper pipes and releasing copper into your drinking water. This can create a metallic taste and may indicate potentially dangerous levels of copper in your water supply.
Should You Test and Treat Acidic Water in Your Home?
Testing the pH of your water is a simple way to ensure it’s not overly acidic. Many home water test kits are available to check for pH and contaminants.
If your water is too acidic, consider using a neutralizing filter or water treatment system to balance the pH. This can help reduce heavy metals, improve taste, and protect your pipes and plumbing.
How Do You Neutralize Acidic Water at Home?
Neutralizing filters and pH drops are effective ways to balance acidic water.
To treat acidic water at home, try these solutions:
- Use a neutralizing filter: These filters are designed to balance the water’s pH, often using minerals to neutralize acidity.
- Add pH-boosting drops: These can be added directly to your water, raising the pH to a safer level.
- Consider an alkaline water system: These systems can help ensure that the water supply remains at a higher pH.
Should You Drink Acidic Water?
While some acidic beverages, like coffee and certain teas, are safe to consume in moderation. However, drinking acidic water regularly may lead to health issues over time. From potential heavy metal exposure to digestive discomfort and skin issues, it’s essential to monitor the pH of your drinking water.
Testing and filtering your water can help ensure better hydration. Choosing alkaline water may also improve your overall health and quality of life.
FAQs
- What is the health implication of consuming acidic water?
Consumption of acidic water may cause mild stomach upset, skin rash, or irritation and may lead to the release of toxic heavy metals such as lead.
- What is the impact that acidic water may have on the pipes?
Acidic water also has the effect of eroding metallic pipes hence leading to pollution of water through added lead.
- How can home-generated acidic water be environmentally neutralized?
Homeowners can use a pH neutralizer or balancer to protect themselves from the harmful effects of acidic water. These solutions are available at Phountain Water Filters.
Ensure Safe, Balanced Water with Phountain Water Filters
Take the worry out of your drinking water quality with Phountain Water Filters. Our advanced filtration systems provide a solution for pH-balanced, safe drinking water. They help maintain healthy water in every glass you drink.
Here’s how Phountain can help:
- Neutralizes Acidic Water: It balances the pH of your water. It helps protect your health from the risks of prolonged exposure to acidic water.
- Removes Heavy Metals: Phountain filters out harmful metals like lead and copper. These metals can leach from pipes and cause serious health problems.
- Protects Against Pollutants: Phountain Water Filters remove pollutants from industrial waste. They also filter out harmful chemicals, ensuring safer, cleaner water.
- Customizable Options: Phountain offers systems for your home, office, or on-the-go, ensuring clean water access wherever you need it.
Invest in your health and peace of mind with Phountain Water Filters. Visit Phountain Water Filters to explore the best options for safe, pH-balanced drinking water.