pH, in chemistry, is a logarithmic scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. It is approximately the negative of the base 10 logarithm of the molar concentration, measured in units of moles per liter, of hydrogen ions.
pH is a scale of acidity from 0 to 14. It tells how acidic or alkaline a substance is. More acidic solutions have lower pH. More alkaline solutions have higher pH. Substances that aren’t acidic or alkaline (that is, neutral solutions) usually have a pH of 7.
There is a level of acidity or alkalinity, measured by pH, in a substance at any given time. And there’s an acidic/alkaline balance that has to exist for certain metabolic processes to take place, especially in our own bodies.
Is your body acidic? Many diseases thrive in an acidic body!
Your body’s blood pH should be between 7.365 and 7.45 (i.e. slightly alkaline, with 7 being neutral). That balance changes given a diet based too heavily in predominantly acidic or predominantly alkaline foods. It also changes due to stress, immune reactions, and any other process that deprives cells of oxygen. Including poor breathing and excessive excersize.
In short, pure water has a pH of 7. Foods above 7 are alkaline, and foods below 7 are acidic.
Acidic foods include refined sugar, chocolate, peanuts, refined flour including wheat and white flour, all meats, shell fish, cheese and dairy, processed foods, beer, and soft drinks. Basically the majority of the typical modern Western diet!
When we consume a predominantly acidic diet, the body becomes too acidic and as a result is forced to utilize its own alkaline mineral resources to maintain livable pH levels.
These minerals include sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. Your body is literally stripping itself of these minerals just to establish balance, neutralize the over-abundance of acid, and safely remove it from the body! With this we run the risk of Acidosis, which results in a build-up of acid in the cells, which then decreases energy production in those cells.
A decreased in energy production leads to an inability of the body to repair damaged cells and detoxify heavy metals, and you become more susceptible to both chronic fatigue as well as an increased incidence of disease (cancer tumors thrive in an acidic environment).
Body Repair
An acidic body leaches essential minerals out of your body dehydrating it in the process. Simply, if you drink one can of carbonated cold drink it takes 32 standard glasses of water to neutralize it. So just imagine what happens if you don’t drink enough water! Now your body has to neutralize the acidic mineral drink. So, since calcium is high in pH, it pulls the mineral from your bones if you aren’t eating enough mineral rich food. This may lead to decreased bone density, and arthritis, osteoporosis, etc.
Reducing or correcting the acidic levels in your body requires no more than the increase in consumption of alkaline foods and lifestyle. Some alkaline forming fruits are lemons, oranges, cherries, dates, figs, nectarines, pears, watermelon, apples, bananas, and avocados.
Examples of Alkaline pH
Some examples of alkaline forming vegetables are kale, sweet potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, bell peppers, beetroot, eggplant, cucumber, lettuces, mushrooms, squashes (including pumpkin), greens, and most herbs and spices.
An alkaline forming lifestyle includes a stress free environment, sleep, exercize, fun and laughter. Try earthing, being outdoors, and embracing nature.
Instead of heavy condiments and sauces (which are high in acidity), use alkaline options such as ginger in your cooking!
Instead of frozen vegetables (which are more acidic), visit the fresh food isles. Your local farmers market deserve a visit for fresh organic options! Eliminate anything out of a can or a box, including most of the options in the freezer aisle. Do that, and you’ll be eliminating a lot of acidic forming foods from your diet.
As I could note the acidity causes 2 types of problems: 1 in the short term and 1 in the long term:
1 – in the short term, acidity compresses the cells preventing oxygen from entering. So, without oxygen, the body is unable to defend itself against viruses and bacteria. In addition, the cells die;
2 – in the long run, acidity causes the body to use minerals from other parts of the body to maintain alkalinity. So, the lack of minerals generates all kinds of diseases depending on the mineral that is missing in the body.
Is it right?
Thanks a lot
A nice rounding, thank you!
If we do not feed and care for our bod, it turns to it’s own resources to keep us alive and functioning. The more of these resources that are directed away from their main function, without being replenished, the easier and quicker it is for the body to be attacked and overcome by viruses and diseases.
You’ve brought up some important points about acidity and its effects on the body. The short-term consequences you mention, like decreased oxygen availability and cellular distress, really highlight how sensitive our bodies can be to changes in pH. When our environment becomes more acidic—whether from diet, stress, or other factors—our cells can struggle to function properly, which is concerning when we think about how essential oxygen is for our immune system.
It’s interesting how the respiratory system plays such a crucial role beyond just gas exchange. The way it helps maintain the acid-base balance is particularly vital, especially considering how even slight imbalances can affect our overall health.
You’ve highlighted some key roles of blood that often go overlooked. It’s fascinating to think about how our circulatory system works tirelessly to keep everything in balance. Beyond hormone distribution and fighting off invaders, blood also plays a crucial part in transporting nutrients from our food, which keeps our cells happy and functioning well. Plus, the way it helps regulate temperature is something we might take for granted, but it’s vital for our overall comfort and performance. It’s a complex system, and every component seems to have a pretty essential job. What are your thoughts on how our diet can impact these blood functions?
It’s fascinating to think about how water plays such a crucial role in our bodies, isn’t it? The way it supports every system, from digestion to circulation, really emphasizes just how vital hydration is. It’s interesting to consider the differences in body composition between men and women, like you mentioned. That variance can impact everything from our metabolism to our overall health.
It’s intriguing to consider how our dietary choices influence the body’s pH balance. The conversation about blood pH can often feel a little complex, but the connection between what we eat and how we feel is easier to grasp when we break it down.