The pH Balance of Different Drinks:  Why It Matters and How to Find Out

Ever wonder what the pH balance of your favorite drink is? The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is. This balance can have a surprising impact on our health, influencing everything from our teeth to digestion. Here’s a deeper dive into the pH of different beverages, why it matters, and how you can easily find out the pH level of the drinks you consume.

Introduction to pH Balance

The pH scale ranges from 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline), with a pH of 7 being neutral. For reference, pure water is considered neutral, while battery acid sits around 0, and bleach is on the extreme alkaline end near 13. This balance is more than just a number; it plays a role in various health aspects. For example, our bodies naturally maintain a slightly alkaline environment in the bloodstream (around pH 7.4), but the foods and drinks we consume can impact our body’s overall pH balance.

Here, we’ll breakdown the pH of some popular drinks and explore simple methods to determine the acidity or alkalinity of what you’re sipping on.

Understanding pH Levels inBeverages

Acidic Drinks (pH < 7)

• Examples: Sodas, energy drinks, coffee, citrus juices.

• Acidic drinks can erode tooth enamel and may irritate the stomach lining if consumed in large quantities.

Neutral Drinks (pH ~7)

• Examples: Pure water, some types of milk.

• Neutral beverages like water help hydrate the body without impacting its pH. Milk has a near-neutral pH, making it easier on the stomach.

Alkaline Drinks (pH > 7)

• Examples: Alkaline water, certain herbal teas.

• Alkaline water, with a pH of 8 or 9, is touted to help neutralize excess acid in the stomach, but more studies are needed to back up its full effects on the body.

Factors Affecting Beverage pH

• Ingredients:  Sodas, for example, often contain citric or phosphoric acid, contributing to their high acidity.

• Processing and Fermentation:  Drinks like kombucha go through fermentation, which affects their pH.  Initially, kombucha can be acidic, with pH levels as low as 2.5 to 3.5.

• Additives: Certain preservatives and flavor enhancers can impact pH, sometimes tipping it toward more acidic levels.

• Storage and Exposure:  Some drinks, when left exposed to air, may experience slight pH changes due to oxidation.

Methods for Testing pH Levels of Drinks

Curious to know the pH of a drink? Here are three simple ways to measure it:

Curious about the pH balance of your favorite drinks? Take control of your health by testing it yourself! With easy-to-use pH test strips like SJ Wave 16-in-1 Drinking Water Test Kit, you can quickly see the acidity or alkalinity of any beverage right at home. Whether you want to check your water, coffee, or even that green juice, water test strips offer fast, reliable results.  So get your pH test strips today and start exploring what’s really in your glass!

Comparison of pH Levels in Common Beverages 

Let’s look at how varied pH levels can be in different drinks and why some beverages can be harsher on our teeth and stomach than others.

• Diet and Zero Sugar Sodas:  Generally have a slightly higher pH (less acidic) than regular versions due to artificial sweeteners rather than acidic sugar syrups.

• Root Beer: Tends to be the least acidic, whether regular or diet.

• Citrus-based Sodas:  Like Mountain Dew and Sprite, still remain on the acidic side due to added citric acid for flavor.

• Highly acidic juices like lemon, lime, and cranberry juices are among the most acidic, with pH values typically below 3.

• Moderately acidic juices like orange, apple, and grape juices fall in the mid-acidic range and are relatively gentler on the stomach.

• Less acidic juices like tomato, carrot, and watermelon juices have higher pH levels and are less acidic, making them easier on teeth and stomach acidity.

• Cow’s Milk: As fat content decreases (whole to skim milk), the pH tends to increase slightly, making skim milk closer to neutral at around 6.7 - 6.9.

• Goat’s Milk: Similar to cow’s milk, lower-fat versions have a slightly higher pH.

• Plant-Based Milks: Soy and coconut milks are closer to neutral, sometimes reaching up to 7.0. Almond and oat milks tend to be slightly more acidic, likely due to processing.

• Fermented Milks (Buttermilk & Kefir): Both low-fat and zero-fat versions have a lower pH (more acidic), typically ranging from 4.2 to 4.8 due to lactic acid produced during fermentation, with a pH around 4.2-4.8.

These pH levels make most milk-based drinks gentle on the stomach, with fermented options offering probiotic benefits despite being more acidic.

• Black Coffee: Brewed black coffee, whether drip, espresso, or Americano, tends to be slightly acidic with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5.

• Cold Brew Coffee:  Although smoother and less bitter, cold brew has a similar pH to regular black coffee. However, it may feel less acidic on the stomach due to lower extraction of certain acidic compounds.

• Milk-Based Coffees (Latte, Cappuccino):  Adding milk raises the pH slightly, making these drinks closer to neutral (pH5-6) and gentler on the stomach.

• Mocha:  The addition of chocolate can raise the pH, making it less acidic than plain black coffee.

• Instant Coffee:  Tends to be on the more acidic side within the range of black coffee, often with a slightly more acidic taste profile.

• Decaf Coffee:  Generally has a similar pH to regular coffee, though some find it slightly less acidic on the stomach.

• Tap, Mineral, and Spring Water:  Generally close to neutral, with pH ranging from 6.5 to 8.5, depending on the source and local mineral content.

• Distilled and Purified Water:  Can be slightly acidic, ranging from 5.0 to 7.0, as it lacks minerals that buffer pH.

• Alkaline Water:  Purposefully treated to raise pH, usually in the range of 8.0 to 10.0, which may be marketed for potential health benefits like neutralizing acidity in the body.

• Sparkling and Flavored Water:  Typically acidic, with a pH between 3.0 and 4.5, due to the addition of carbon dioxide (for sparkling) or acidic flavorings, which can be hard on tooth enamel over time.

• Well Water:  Varies significantly based on the region and mineral content but generally ranges from 6.0 to 8.5.

• Rainwater:  Naturally acidic, with a pH of 5.0 - 6.0, due to dissolved carbon dioxide and other environmental factors.

• Highly Acidic:  Most energy drinks have a pH below 4, making them quite acidic. This acidity is primarily due to added citric acid and other flavoring agents.

• Red Bull:  One of the most acidic options, with a pH around 3.0 to 3.3.

• 5-hour Energy:  Although it has a higher pH than many traditional energy drinks, it is still acidic (around 4.0 to 4.5).

• Potential Health Impact:  The high acidity of these drinks can contribute to enamel erosion and other dental issues, especially with frequent consumption.

• Acidic Teas:  Black tea, oolong tea, and iced tea tend to be more acidic, with pH values ranging from 4.0 to 6.0.

• Neutral to Slightly Alkaline Teas:  Green tea and white tea generally fall within a neutral to slightly alkaline range (pH 7.0 - 7.5), which may make them gentler on the stomach.

• Matcha:  Can be slightly alkaline, depending on the preparation and quality, ranging from 7.0 to 8.0.

• Herbal Teas:  Vary widely in acidity, but many fall in the 5.0 to 6.0 range.

• Sweetened and Milk Teas:  The addition of sugar or milk can lower the pH, making sweetened tea more acidic (3.5 - 4.5) while milk tea is typically less acidic than plain black tea.

Effects of Beverage pH onHealth

• Acidic Beverages:  Frequent consumption of acidic drinks can contribute to tooth enamel erosion and increase acidity in the stomach, potentially leading to digestive discomfort.

• Alkaline Beverages:  While alkaline water is thought to help neutralize excess stomach acid, there is limited scientific backing for its broader health claims. However, moderate alkaline intake can be part of a balanced diet.

Our bodies are resilient, but pH does play a role in certain health aspects.  It’s important to balance acidic and alkaline beverages. Mixing in neutral or alkaline drinks can help offset some of the acidity from sodas, coffee, and citrus juices.

While enjoying a favorite drink, knowing its pH balance can be a step toward better health. If you’re trying to cut back on acidity, swap out soda for water or choose an herbal tea. pH strips and digital meters make it easy to measure pH, helping you to see which drinks are the most acidic or alkaline. With mindful choices, you can find a balance that keeps your body and taste buds happy!