When the body is in an alkaline state, you are less likely to suffer from chronic disease and illness. If you have a slight pH fluctuation, the body becomes more acidic and you may start to exhibit symptoms of an imbalance (rashes, runny nose, fatigue, inflammation).
If your body finds itself in an acidic state more often than a neutral one then this places you at a greater risk of disease/ illness. It is no wonder that weight gain, pain and inflammation and showing signs of premature ageing are some of the most common issues for many.
HOW DOES OUR DIET AFFECT OUR ALKALINITY?
The typical modern diet unfortunately contains a high level of acidic foods –
- animal proteins and dairy
- gluten and refined grains, sugar is a big culprit!
- refined and processed sugars
- processed, packaged foods and take away foods
- Tea, coffee, alcohol and tobacco
Sugar, dairy, conventional meat and coffee are some of the most acid-producing foods.
Alkaline foods such as fruits and vegetables are often eaten in much smaller quantities to neutralise the excess consumption of acidic foods.
To help our bodies maintain a balanced pH level it is important to eat and enjoy more alkaline-forming foods and fewer acid-forming foods. Eating a diet of 80% alkaline-forming foods and 20% acid-forming foods is a good rule of thumb when it comes to finding a healthy lifestyle balance.
Alkaline-forming foods include:
- most fruits and vegetables (green juice, celery, leafy greens, cucumbers, lemons, melons)
- herbs, nuts and seeds
- water and herbal teas
ACID/ ALKALINE BALANCE
It is important to keep in mind that the acid in the acid/alkaline balance is not the same as stomach acid. A healthy stomach pH is acidic, which is necessary for digesting food. A pH balance refers to the pH of the body’s fluids, cells and tissues. Alkalinity is about what happens after digestion. For example, lemons are considered acidic but after digestion they supply alkaline minerals to the body.
When we eat acid-forming foods, the body needs to work to bring the blood pH back into balance by releasing alkaline-rich minerals into the bloodstream. These minerals (Calcium, Phosphorus and Magnesium) in turn become deficient due to the higher demand of the digestive system in an attempt to buffer the acidity.
If we are not eating enough alkaline-forming foods, then the body has to pull these minerals from our bones, teeth and organs. This paves the way for a compromised immune system, cellular damage, general fatigue and a greater vulnerability to viruses and disease. Bacteria and disease, especially cancer cells cannot thrive in an alkaline body.
