Have you ever wondered why eating certain foods helps improve your health significantly while certain foods precipitate disease? Are you acidic?

In recent years, the most exciting discoveries have been pertaining the effect of specific foods on the body’s pH levels. This simply means that some foods once digested have an acidic effect on the body (pH less than 7) while others have an alkaline effect (pH>7). To be healthy, it is necessary to be in a state of acid-alkaline balance (blood pH 7.3 to 7.4).

Why is an Acid State Harmful?

Chronic low grade metabolic acidosis is the root cause of many health problems.

• Loss of calcium in the urine leading to bone loss
• Protein and muscle break down so the repair work (that the body undertakes to do when you are asleep) gets postponed till you resume acid alkaline balance
• Accelerated aging process. It reflects on your skin as water retention, dark circles, and lack luster skin
• Digestive problems such as bloating and gas
• Depressed immune system
• Muscle weakness
• Reduced energy levels
• Weight gain and diabetes
• Kidney stones
• Joint pain and muscle cramps
• Decreased ability of the body to absorb nutrients

What causes such acid states? Mainly prolonged stress and poor eating habits coupled with lack of exercise.

Which Foods are Most Beneficial in Correcting an Acidic Condition?

Mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, especially green vegetables are very helpful. Further, avoiding meat, chicken, and fish helps to correct acid states. Needless to say, avoiding white sugar, maida, coffee, sodas, and packaged and processed foods helps tremendously in controlling acidity.

Drinking dudhi juice and wheat grass juice seems to restore alkalinity quickly. Given below is a list of acid forming and alkaline forming foods for your quick reference. You can use these to rectify your state.

Carbonated soft drinks are known to be among the most acidifying foods. Research says in order to neutralize the effect of one glass of soft drink, a person needs to drink 32 glasses of highly alkaline water. Clearly, if your goal is to maintain a healthy pH in your body, you should avoid soft drinks completely.

It is interesting to note that most of your body organs work towards keeping an acid-alkaline balance including your lungs. You should know that your body is becoming overly acidic if you experience an increased respiratory rate. This is caused by the body’s attempt to eliminate increased levels of carbonic acid (produced when carbon oxide inside the body combines with water). Conversely, if your body is alkaline, your rate of breathing generally decreases.

Eating an alkaline diet will have several advantages over acid diet. One feels energetic, vibrant, alert, and experiences an overall sense of well-being. The alkaline diet is often associated with longevity.