How to Read a pH Test

A pH test measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution, an indication of how acidic or alkaline it is. You can test the pH of almost anything, but some of the more commonly tested things are soil, water and your bodily fluids. In terms of the latter, the closer they are to neutral on the pH scale, the healthier you are likely to be, says the Health Wealth & Happiness website.

Things You'll Need

• Litmus paper strips

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Instructions

• 1

  Understand the pH scale. It ranges from 0 to 14, where 7 is neutral--that is, neither acidic or alkaline. A pH less than 7 is acidic and more than 7 is alkaline. Water is neutral. Lemon juice is moderately acidic, while battery acid is extremely acidic. Ammonia is alkaline, and lye is extremely alkaline. In terms of your bodily fluids, a highly acidic reading indicates poor health because acids are toxins and can corrode your body's tissues.

• 2

  Do a pH test. There are a number of ways you can test pH; however, the litmus test can be done relatively easily at home by wetting one litmus paper strip with your saliva. Be sure to wait at least two hours after a meal before doing the test, as eating causes the acidity levels in your saliva to spike.

• 3

  Match the paper color to the pH scale. Your saliva will cause the litmus paper to change color, which you should match to the numbers on the pH scale. A reading between 7.35 and 7.45 on the scale is considered ideal, says the Health Wealth & Happiness website. This shows that your body is effectively neutralizing acidic waste products and is at a low risk of disease.