This is Part Two of our discussion to assist you in making wise choices in potable water for optimum health. In Part One, we explored why food and beverages will not significantly affect the pH of your body.
Rather, the human body has intrinsic buffers that maintain optimum pH – part of its natural defense against acidic conditions of oxidative stress, premature aging and illness. Drinking water that has been artificially modified to a high pH (over 8.0) will neither replicate nor affect the body’s own buffers in maintaining optimum pH balance. Pure water such as AquaNew’s Watt-Ahh® is close to a neutral pH of 7 which is similar to that of blood naturally maintained by our own body’s intrinsic buffers.
Bicarbonate, Phosphate and Protein Buffer Systems
What are these buffers? The specific chemical reactions are outside the scope of this article. Simply, a buffer is a molecule that either binds hydrogen ions to neutralize acid or donates hydrogen ions to neutralize alkaline conditions. There are three important buffer systems in our bodies:
- Bicarbonate buffer system involves hydrogen ion transfers of molecules formed by combination of respiratory carbon dioxide and water in our blood.
- Phosphate buffer system involves the breakdown of nucleic acid and phosphoprotein to yield phosphoric acid (hydrogen ion donor) or dihydrogen phosphate (binds hydrogen ion to reform phosphoric acid)
- Protein buffer system involves the proteins or amino acids in blood that can also transfer hydrogen ions to maintain neutral pH.
The transfer of hydrogen ions is fundamental in maintaining the proper pH to sustain life. As science geeks, we continue to be wonderstruck about the potential of the novel hydrogen structure of Watt-Ahh® which may aid in supporting the buffer systems of our bodies.
Next time, we will cover the importance of purity in water to maintain optimum health.
***
Photo Credit: Thank you to Gary Firestone, and Ann and John Cassidy of Fort Meyers, FL for sharing this owl family photo.