This is a basic primer about acid-alkaline balance and pH balancing for your body. Proper acid-alkaline balance is the best way to ensure health and longevity.
There is SO MUCH to know about pH balancing, and much of it is disputed or conflicting. But this is what is true: disease cannot grow in an alkaline environment. Our collectively high stress lifestyles and standard poor diet leads to acidic conditions in the body. Chronic acid conditions can have negative impacts on health, however, it can be reversed or mitigated with a high intake of alkalizing foods.
The Basics of pH Balance:
All foods that we eat are either acidic, neutral, or alkaline, as you can see in the chart above. Unfortunately for most of us, the foods most common in our diets are HIGHLY acidic: meat, dairy, coffee, white flour, white sugar, and alcohol (stress also creates an acidic environment!). Surprisingly, some very health things, like brown rice, pickles, and chocolate can be quite acidic. Many things are neutral: filtered water and quinoa are just two. The foods that are alkalizing are everything green, most whole grains, and most fruits, especially citrus fruits. Apple cider vinegar, herbal teas, and meditation and exercise also help create an alkaline environment.
Leafy greens, which are considered to be one of the most alkalizing vegetables. The takeaway from both of these charts is that most animal foods are acidic, and most plant foods are alkalizing. The most alkalizing foods are sprouted greens (wheatgrass, barley grass) and leafy greens and most other vegetables. Increasing the amount of whole grains, fruits and vegetables- and avoiding or limiting animal foods and processed foods- is the key to the best health. Including more alkalizing foods into your diet to encourages the body’s innate healing capacity.
Many of the diseases or problems that plague our population are often symptoms of an acidic environment: cancer, diabetes, heart disease, fibromyalgia, and inflammation (which is the root cause behind pain, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s).
According to the theory behind pH balancing, many of these conditions can be minimized or cured completely by simply balancing the pH of the body. Most research shows that disease cannot thrive in an alkaline environment, and by keeping our bodies at a healing pH of 7.1 – 7.5 we can keep away most diseases and conditions that debilitate our population. However, research is scarce and a bit woo-woo on this topic. However, there isn’t really any downside to eating more fruits and veggies, and eating less meat, so while pH balance in the body is maybe not 100% proven, it’s still a good idea!
Related: it is very important (and documented) that maintaining a good pH balance in your vagina is important for female health. Read my full article on yeast infections and candida here for more details.
So now you’ve learned some basics of pH balancing: acid is pretty bad, alkaline is pretty good, and by increasing the amount of alkaline foods into our diets, we might be able to avoid the major diseases. So, go forth and enjoy your greens!
Endnote: We here at VWJ are not doctors, so before beginning any regime, supplement, or treatment, please see your health care provider. Please and thank you.
After reading your post, I realized that my diet is mostly consist of foods that contain high amount of acid. The dangers of acidosis is a bit scary, thus it is necessary to maintain a balance between alkaline and acidic foods.
I’m sorry to hear that Arthur- but you are among many other who also have a high-acid diet; it’s what our culture serves us! But it’s easy to add in some alkalizing foods: greens, quinoa, millet, citrus fruits and apple cider vinegar are the easiest. Also, if you are really worried you can look at taking some greens powders (like amazinggrass or macro greens); simply mix with water for a sweet, green treat.
Lemon’s pH is 2.3, not 10
How do I get copies of these charts?
hi there- You can either screenshot or download the image from our site or google ‘pH charts’ and they should both come up. good luck! Thanks for reading!