The 21st century Western diet is dominated by red meats, poultry and refined sugars. These foods are acidic and can affect your pH levels. You might be interested in learning how to balance your pH levels if you are highly acidic.
An alkaline diet is one way to go. Consuming foods high in alkaline can help your body neutralize excess acids, bringing about acid-base equilibrium. Balanced pH is good for your health and allows your body to function at its best.
Here’s how to understand the importance of pH balance.
The Non-Alkaline Diet – Why is it Harmful for Your Health?
An acidic diet is also known to be non-alkaline. High-acidity foods include meat, poultry, eggs and grains.
Most processed foods, such as:
- Bread and cakes
- Cheese
- Potato Chips
- Condiments
- Soft drinks
- Energy Drinks
- Coffee
- Alcohol
These foods are rich in sulfur-containing amino acid and salt, as well as phosphoric acid. This contributes to acidity in the body.
What can acidic foods do to your body’s pH?
The pH range between 7.35 and 7.45 is the optimal pH for your body to function. Your body will need to work harder if you eat a high-alkaline diet.
Your pH balance is maintained by your kidneys and lungs. These organs can become less efficient if the body has an excessive acid load, which could be due to non-alkaline food.
As the kidney adapts to excrete more acids from the body, it might become less efficient and lead to kidney disease.
Calcium is taken from bone reserves to compensate. Calcium is an alkaline mineral. The body uses it for acid-base equilibrium and to neutralize excess acids.
This compensatory action has been linked to studies that have shown high dietary acid loads (or acidosis) are associated with an higher risk of developing bone diseases.
Other consequences of high acid loads
Acid Accumulation
Additionally, excess acid builds up in our cells and intracellular space making it difficult for enzymes to work properly. Acidosis can lead to a variety of chronic diseases, including metabolic, inflammatory, cardiovascular, and other disorders.
Muscle Mass Loss
Research has also shown that high levels of acid in the environment can cause muscle mass loss by increasing protein breakdown and inhibiting protein synthesis. Anabolism is also a consequence of acidosis, which is essential for maintaining and building muscle mass.
Reduced Absorption
Your medicines and supplements must be able to survive the stomach, which is already acidic at a pH of 1.5-3.5. They also need to reach the small intestine for maximum absorption.
Acidic foods can lower the pH level of your stomach, which can lead to medicines and supplements to being broken down or degraded before they reach your intestines.
It can reduce their bioavailability so that your body doesn’t absorb as many vitamins and minerals.
Alkaline Diet: How to Balance Your Body’s pH
What is an Alkaline Diet?
A diet that is alkaline consists primarily of fruits, vegetables and nuts. Here are some examples.
- Lettuce
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Lemons
- Oranges
- Cashews
- Almonds
- Green Peas
- Chickpeas
- Red Beans
These foods replenish alkaline reserves so that your body can effectively neutralize acid and maintain a healthy pH.
Alkaline Diet Benefits
An alkaline diet doesn’t just help balance your pH levels. This type of diet is good for your health because you eat healthy foods.
- Weight Management – An alkaline diet can help you manage your weight. You can burn more calories and fat by exercising, and your body will have less extra fat to store.
- Lower Risk of Diseases High acid loads are associated with many types of diseases. An alkaline diet is good for your health and can help you avoid any potential health problems caused by environmental toxins.
- Enhanced Health High acid diets can lead to fatigue, stomach discomfort, heartburn, gas, and other symptoms. An alkaline diet can reduce the acidity in your body.
Do You Need to Stop Eating Acidic Foods
It is not the goal to stop eating acidic food completely. Your body will not function optimally if it is too acidic. A balanced diet is essential.
Also, acidic foods are important. You can choose to eat plant-based proteins instead of animal-based or processed food.
Healthy eating habits include whole grains, eggs, and oatmeal. To ensure balanced meals, make sure you include lots of fruits and veggies.
Most Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Alkaline Diet?
Your body will not function properly if you eat an acidic or nonalkaline diet. Your body may overcompensate to function at its best, which can lead to health problems. Alkaline diets can help restore the body’s pH balance and make it more efficient. This will ensure that your body is healthy over time.
How do I alkalize my body quickly?
A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, plant-based protein is the best way to naturally alkalize your body. Avoid processed foods and caffeine-laden drinks. Instead, drink 8 glasses of water daily.
Supplements can be beneficial for your overall health.
Is drinking apple cider vinegar alkalizing for the body?
Although apple cider vinegar is alkaline, it is still acidic at a pH level between 2-3. Organic apple cider vinegar can be consumed and has an alkalizing effect similar to citrus fruits such as oranges or lemons.
It is better to eat fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts if you want to alkalize the body than to consume apple cider vinegar.
How can you tell if your body is too acidic?
A highly acidic body can cause fatigue, headaches and difficulty breathing.
To balance pH levels, you might consider an alkaline diet if you suspect you are acidic.
How do you flush acid out of your body?
Start by reducing high-acid foods, and switching to a balanced, alkaline diet. Hydration is neutral and water can help to dilute acid. A glass of water can be enriched with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to alkalize your body.
How can you balance your body’s pH? A Balanced Diet Is Key
It is impossible for everyone to stick to an alkaline diet. It is important to remember that acidic foods can be good for you if they are eaten in moderation with alkaline foods.
For optimal health, a balanced diet is the best option. Your body’s alkaline reserves can be replenished by eating fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts. The body can effectively neutralize acidic foods without reducing bone reserves.
Enzymes are also capable of performing essential functions such as aiding with proper digestion, absorption, and facilitating muscle growth.
The body functions properly when pH levels are in balance. This reduces the likelihood of you developing debilitating and chronic health conditions that could impact your quality of your life.
We believe that a balanced diet is best when it comes down to the alkaline or non-alkaline debate.
