By Annabeth Kaine
Updated Mar 24, 2022
Soft drinks rank among the most acidic beverages available, with acidity levels comparable to vinegar. According to Real Water Health, excessive acidity can upset the body’s acid‑alkaline balance, leading to digestive discomfort, bone loss, and tooth erosion. Understanding a beverage’s pH helps consumers make informed choices and protect their oral health.
Place a piece of Scotch tape on the outside of each container and label it with the drink’s name using a permanent pen. This prevents confusion during testing.
Use three pH paper strips per drink to ensure reliable results. Repeating the test three times allows you to calculate an accurate average pH.
Immerse the pH strip in the liquid for at least one second, ensuring the entire strip contacts the beverage.
Remove the strip and compare its hue to the accompanying color chart. Deep red indicates high acidity, deep purple signals alkalinity, and green tones suggest a neutral pH. Record the color and corresponding numerical value.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 two additional times, noting each reading. Consistency across trials confirms measurement reliability.
Add the three readings for each soda and divide by three. The resulting average pH represents the drink’s overall acidity. Repeat this calculation for every sample tested.
