The University of California San Diego notes that maintaining a healthy pH balance is important in promoting optimal body functioning. If your body becomes too acidic, it may pull calcium from bones and muscles to attain the proper pH of 7.4. On the pH scale, 7.0 is neutral. A woman needs to be aware that eating acidic foods does not mean your body becomes acidic. It is what the food becomes when digested that matters.
Consequences of Acidity
The waste products from your body tend to be acidic. That is why achieving a slightly alkaline balance may promote good health. Women whose bodies are tending toward acidity may experience osteoporosis as the calcium is leached from the bones to compensate. Arthritis, cardiovascular disease and cancer may also be a consequence of an acidic body. Other concerns listed by the University of California are muscle pain and cramping, fatigue and shortness of breath. However, it may be advantageous to have a slightly acidic pH to the skin and digestive tract to ward off unfriendly flora.
Foods to Promote Alkalinity
The Eat Salad website recommends consuming no more than 20 percent of foods that form acid in your body and at least 80 percent of foods that form alkali. Alkaline forming foods include most fruits and vegetables, almonds, pine nuts and fresh coconut, unsweetened yogurt, eggs, tofu, unprocessed and cold-pressed oils such as olive oil, green beans, peas, lima beans, soy beans, milk, herb tea and vegetable and fruit juices. Neutral foods include rice, cream cheese, avocado oils and pumpkin seeds.
Foods to Avoid
Being too alkaline is very rare, the University of California notes. Due to high levels of sugar, protein, grains and medications in our diet, most women are acidic. Foods to avoid or eat in moderation may include meat and fish, blueberries, prunes and plums, hard cheeses, cashews, walnuts, filberts, peanuts, macadamias, pecans, dried coconut, pistachios, corn oil, most sweeteners including sugar and honey, salt, mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, alcohol, soda and tobacco.
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