The pH scale describes the acidity of a substance, from 1 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline). The human body must maintain a pH between 6.8 and 7.8 to survive, settling for an ideal pH at or slightly above 7.35.
Effect of Food
The food you eat has a significant effect on your body's pH. Some foods leave an acidic environment in the body, while others have an alkalizing effect.
Acidosis
Your body works hard to maintain pH within a healthy range, pulling alkalizing minerals from bones and organs to buffer an acid-forming diet. A chronically acidic body ("acidosis") makes for a fertile home for bacteria, depletes essential mineral stores, slows cell regeneration, impairs the immune system and reduces overall vitality.
Alkalizing Foods
Foods that have an alkalizing effect are the ones you already knew were healthy: fresh fruits and vegetables. Green veggies, which are rich in chlorophyll, are especially alkalizing.
Acidifying Foods
Meat, dairy, alcohol, sugar, corn, coffee and highly processed foods all drastically lower the body's pH.
Alkalizing Diet
To offset the acidifying effect of your diet, nutrient-dense alkalizing foods should cover about 70 percent of your plate.
References
- The Thrive Diet; Brendan Brazier; 2007
- The pH Miracle: Balance Your Diet, Reclaim Your Health; Robert O. Young and Shelley Redford Young; 2008
- Balancing Acid/Alkaline Foods
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