Let’s Talk Chemistry

You have probably heard of pH before, but never thought about using the pH spectrum in your diet. The pH scale ranges from 0.0 totally acid to totally alkaline at 14.0, with 7.0 being neutral. The ideal blood range pH is from 7.35 to 7.40 while our muscles and skin are 6.8 pH. Ideally when our tissues are added up, our total pH should be neutral. Excess acidity has been known to cause inflammation, stiffness, tissue degeneration, water retention, calcification, and contraction of the tissues, to name a few. Basically, the aim is to consume food and drinks while maintaining a proper acid/alkaline pH balance.

We are dependent on minerals, as 95% of the activities performed by the body run on minerals. As long as we are eating a healthy diet, we should be obtaining these minerals. The mineral content in food is what determines if the food is either acid or alkaline. If you were to eat something acidic, you should then balance it out with something alkaline. For example, green leaves are extremely alkaline, whereas, meat, eggs, nuts, and seeds are acidic. Obtaining a balance is key.

It should be no surprise that spring water has the most neutral pH of 7.0 and soda is the most acid-forming of all foods. So take a look at your daily diet. Aim to stay alkaline with leafy greens, fruits, and veggies. Skip the acidic diet of animal products, coffee, soda, alcohol, refined/processed sugars and carbohydrates.  I think it goes without saying that we eat from the inside out, so everything we put in our bodies, shows on the outside.

source: MindBodyGreen