Your PH Balance: Acidic or Alkaline
Although the topic of acid and alkaline foods can be very scientific and often intimidating, it is important to understand the delicate balance between the two for optimum health.
The pH scale – and is measured in pH (potential of hydrogen) – goes from 0 to 14, with 0 the most acidic, and 14 the most alkaline.
Acidity and alkalinity are opposites, and yet, they are equal in value to the body.
Although our organs produce acid, our bodies are naturally alkaline. Think of the stomach that is filled with acid to break down what you consume each day.
However, everyday life can create acidic conditions. If your body doesn’t have enough alkaline resources, problems affecting digestion and respiration can develop.
It’s interesting to note that every very fluid in our body is either acidic or alkaline.
- Arterial blood – 7.45
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) – 7.3
- Chromaffin cell – 5.5
- Cytosol – 7.2
- Distilled water – 7 (neutral)
- Exocrine secretion from the pancreas – 8.1
- Gastric Acid – 0.7
- Lysosome – 5.5
- Mitochondrial matrix – 7.5
- Stomach acid – 1to 3.5
- Venous blood – 7.35
Our blood should maintain a balanced pH of 7.35 to 7.45. It will do anything to regulate this, even taking valuable minerals from your bones, blood, and tissues to maintain a neutral pH balance.
Every food or beverage we consume is considered either acidic or alkaline, depending on the effect they have on the body.
Many people believe that if a food is acidic, like a lemon or lime, it has an acid-forming effect on the body. Actually, this is not the case. Lemons, limes, or other types of citrus fruits are alkalizing.
How can this be? It’s due to the way your body reacts to the fruit. Minerals are left behind after digestion, removing hydrogen ions and lowering the body’s acidity.
Below is a list of acidic and alkaline foods:
10.0 (1,000x more Alkaline)
• Artichoke.
• Asparagus.
• Broccoli.
• Brussel Sprouts.
• Cabbage.
• Carrots.
• Cauliflower.
• Cucumbers.
• Lemons/Limes.
• Spinach.
• Seaweed.
9.0 (100x more Alkaline)
• Avocados.
• Cayenne pepper.
• Chives.
• Cilantro.
• Garlic.
• Green beans.
• Green tea.
• Lemongrass.
• Parsley.
• Raw peas.
• Red Beets.
• Red radish.
8.0 (10x more Alkaline)
• Avocados.
• Bell peppers.
• Brussel sprouts.
• Chicory.
• Grapefruit.
• Lima beans.
• Mushrooms.
• Olives.
• Raw almonds.
• Soybeans.
• Turnips.
7.0 (Your blood is 7.356.)
• Tap water.
• Springwater.
• Seawater.
• River water.
• Coconut oil.
• Most olive oils.
6.0 (10x more Acidic)
• Bananas.
• Cocoa.
• Cooked beans.
• Cooked spinach.
• Eggs.
• Fish.
• Liver.
• Most grains.
• Oats.
• Oranges.
• Oyster.
• Salmon.
• Soy milk.
• Tea.
• Watermelon.
5.0 (100x more Acidic)
• Bread.
• Cashews.
• Potatoes.
• Milk and cream.
• White rice.
• Honey.
• Ketchup.
• Corn oil.
• Mayonnaise.
• Soft cheese.
• Cooked beans.
• Rice cakes.
4.0 (1,000x more Acidic)
• Beer.
• Chocolate.
• Coffee.
• Cranberries.
• Cream cheese.
• Fruit.
• Hard cheeses.
• Mustard.
• Peanuts.
• Popcorn.
• Turkey.
• White sugar.
3.0 (10,000x more Acidic)
• Artificial sweetener.
• Beef.
• Canned foods.
• Fried foods.
• Goat.
• Hard liquors.
• Lamb.
• Maple syrup.
• Pickles.
• Pork.
• Soy sauce.
• Table salt.
• Tobacco.
• Wine.
Many Americans tend to eat acid-promoting diets consisting of processed junk foods, coffee, alcohol, dairy products, and high animal proteins. This diet is excessively acidic, and too much acid can lead to a number of health issues such as kidney stones, constipation, heartburn, migraines, water retention, and fatigue.
Doctors recommend avoiding this ‘cancer diet’ and consuming alkalizing foods such as vegetables, some fruits, nuts, grains, and legumes. Of course, an extreme in an alkaline-rich diet is not healthy either. Remember, a balance must be maintained in the body.
In order to gain a balance between your acidity and alkalinity, eat a well-balanced diet and limit your alcohol and coffee intake as well as tobacco use.
Some doctors and nutritionists believe that an alkaline foods diet can lower the risk of cancer, prevent the likelihood of chronic diseases, slow down the loss of bone and muscle, and increase your energy level.
There are those health professionals and consumers who swear by alkaline water, believing it has a positive effect on health and vitality. Alkaline water, water with more oxygen, is said to improve asthma, urinary tract infections (UTIs), joint pain, ulcers, eczema, gout, heartburn, and indigestion.
Some believe it is even the anti-cancer diet. However, alkaline water does not have any medicinal or nutritional value. What is can do is increase your intake of oxygen and neutralize acid build-up in your body. Some believe that this promotes circulation, allowing the body to heal and get rid of acidic waste.
If you are considering an anti-cancer diet or ‘going alkaline,’ be sure to consult your physician.
Together, you can create the best diet and exercise plan for maximized health.
