Plain Talk About pH

What is pH?

pH, an acronym for “potential of hydrogen,” is a value that indicates the acidity or alkalinity of a liquid. The measurement of the hydrogen ion concentration in a liquid determines the pH value. Every liquid has a pH value, which falls on a scale between 0 and 14, with 7 being neutral. A pH value less than 7 is acidic; values greater than 7 indicate alkalinity.

Examples: Battery acid and vinegar – two very acidic liquids – have pH values on the lower end of the scale, while baking soda and ammonia, both of which are very alkaline, are on the higher end of the pH scale. Pure water, meanwhile, has a pH value of 7 – it’s neither acidic nor alkaline.

The Optimum Body pH:

The body has a pH value. In fact, each of the body’s fluids has a specific pH value, but the blood most accurately reflects the body’s overall acidic or alkaline level. To maintain a balanced pH, the body uses certain minerals, such as potassium, calcium and magnesium to neutralize acids in the blood. If it can’t do that successfully, the body will restore its optimal pH by depleting certain minerals, such as potassium, calcium and magnesium from organs and bones.

The body needs to maintain a balanced pH, so it is very important to avoid being too acidic or too alkaline. The optimum pH value for urine and saliva should be between 6.3–6.7.

FindingThe Body’s pH:

There are a variety of ways to determine the body’s pH, and the most accurate way to find the pH value of the blood is using a pH meter. However, that can be impractical since it would require drawing blood and purchasing a special meter. A more practical and inexpensive method is to find the approximate pH level of the urine using litmus paper. Since the urine pH varies with what you eat, measure the pH when you get up in the morning before you exercise,
eat or drink anything. Keep in mind that when it comes to determining the body’s pH, look at averages and trends over a period of time.

For urine, the optimum pH value should be between 6.3–6.7, which is in the medium green area of the litmus paper.

How to use litmus paper to test urine:

1. Use 2–4 inches of litmus paper and avoid touching the end being used for testing
2. Quickly dip one end of the litmus paper into the urine sample*
3. Immediately shake off any excess
4. Immediately compare the color of the paper to the chart that comes with the litmus paper

*Note: Holding the litmus paper in a liquid, even for a few seconds, can wash the indicator off the paper and give an inaccurate reading pH.

Plain Talk About pH:
An easy guide to understanding pH and what it means to your health