Do I need to rebalance my pH?

Q. I’ve noticed ads for bottled water that purportedly balances the body’s pH levels. Would drinking it boost my health?

A. No, we don’t need to drink special water or take supplements that are marketed to regulate the body’s pH, which runs slightly alkaline instead of acidic. Maintaining a normal pH is crucial to a nerve signaling, enzyme activity, and preserving protein structure — but our bodies have a built-in process to naturally maintain these levels. The main organs handling this are the lungs and kidneys, which control the amount of carbon dioxide and acids in the blood.

The pH regulation process, however, doesn’t always proceed flawlessly. Certain health conditions can create a pH imbalance — either acidosis, when the blood is too acidic, or alkalosis, which is when it’s too alkaline. These pH disrupters include normal hormonal changes such as pregnancy and menopause, some medications, a very poor diet, stress, or extreme exercise.

If your body’s pH gets out of whack, you might notice symptoms such as fatigue, weak muscles, or skin irritation — all of which should prompt a doctor’s visit. But the best way to support a healthy pH is not by drinking gimmicky bottled water, which is often called alkaline water. Instead, eat a balanced diet featuring plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, and fish.

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