PH Levels and Healthy Beverages

ph levelsOur water (we call it our feedstock) comes from the Floridan aquifer within the Oklawaha Watershed situated in the north central part of the state near Ocala, Florida.  The water is piped into Leesburg from a public water supply well. This water is tested by the Lake County Utility Department and you can obtain the water quality report on the Lake County website here.

The feedstock water tests at a pH of 6.26, almost neutral. We purify the feedstock water using a multi-step purification process, which includes carbon and double-micron filtration, reverse osmosis, ozonation, deionization and UV sterilization. This approach removes all minerals, chemicals, organic and inorganic compounds, pharmaceuticals as well as bacteria and viruses. We then inject carbon dioxide into the purified water to carbonate it. Carbonation drops the pH and our Original Seltzer averages a pH of 4.0. A lower pH also inhibits biological growth.  A pH reading at this level has no known negative health effects.

CARBONATION, PH IN BEVERAGES AND DENTAL HEALTH

According to the American Dental Association and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the total acid level (titratable acid) is considered more important than pH level, because it will determine the actual H+ (positive ion of Hydrogen) available to interact with the tooth surface. Most soft drinks contain one or two common food acidulants – phosphoric acid and citric acid. Occasionally, other acidulants such as malic acid or tartaric acid are also used. SYFO contains none of these acidulants.

PH IN CARBONATED BEVERAGES AND BONE HEALTH

An American Journal of Clinical Nutrition article concluded that the intake of cola, but not of other carbonated soft drinks, is associated with a low bone mineral density in women. The article states: “A significant association of cola beverage consumption and increased risk of bone fractures has been recently reported among teenage girls and among female former athletes. An animal study has supported that heavy intake of cola soft drinks have the potential of reducing femoral mineral density. However, modest intake of carbonated beverages does not appear to have adverse effects on bone mineral density in older women. Potential mechanisms exist for the association between soft drink consumption and bone fractures or osteoporosis. First, the phosphorus content of soft drinks may limit calcium absorption and thus contribute to bone loss. Second, soft drink consumption may replace milk intake and indirectly influence bone mineral density.”

Return to Healthy Beverages.

Tell your friends about Syfo!