[Sticky] PH and Why It’s important To Be Alkaline

"𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐄𝐗𝐈𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐋𝐊𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐄𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓" (𝐅𝐫𝐲, 𝟏𝟗𝟕𝟔)."

Foods can be divided into two categories: they either have an Acid reaction or Alkaline reaction in the body. Please note: this is not necessarily related to the actual pH of the food. For example, citrus fruits are acidic in nature, but actually have an alkalizing affect on the body.

It's important to understand which foods fall into which category and the different health effects they have on the body.

» 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐤𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞-𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐢𝐝-𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠?

Generally, whether a food is dominant in acid or alkaline elements determines whether it's going to yield an acid or alkaline reaction in the body. A laboratory method called titration is used to determine acidity vs alkalinity: 1.) A certain amount of food is incinerated, which takes the place of digestion. The ash is then mixed with distilled water and the mineral content of the final solution is measured for its acidity or alkalinity.

Highly electrical and hydrating foods leave alkaline-ash minerals after being digested, like calcium, sodium potassium and magnesium.

Foods containing chiefly Alkaline-forming minerals impart alkalinity to the cells and metabolic waste stream. Alkaline substances contain sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron.

When inflammatory and mucus-forming foods are broken down, they leave residues like sulphur, phosphorus and nitrogen, referred to as acid-ash residues.

Foods containing chiefly Alkaline-forming minerals impart alkalinity to the cells and metabolic waste stream. Alkaline substances contain sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron.

» 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐀𝐥𝐤𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞-𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲?

Alkaline-forming foods soothe and cool inflammation in the body. Humans are biologically suited to predominantly alkaline-forming foods. Most of our bodily fluids should be alkaline, including saliva, blood, urine, synovial fluids, cerebral fluids, and digestive enzymes (except the ones in the stomach). The stomach has these enzymes to support optimal digestion of proteins and ward off any harmful pathogens and bacteria.

2.) Dr. Robert Morse gives an interesting example in his book, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘵𝘰𝘹 𝘔𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬: 𝘙𝘢𝘸 𝘍𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘣𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦 𝘊𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: "A good example of the importance of alkalization is found in emergency medicine. In hospital Emergency Rooms, or with other on-the spot emergency treatments, one is almost always given an IV with normal saline, which is a sodium solution. Sodium is called “the great alkalizer.” This helps reverse acidosis, the main reason we get into trouble in the first place. Acidosis equals pain, swelling and inflammation.

Raw fruits and vegetables act the same way that normal saline works, but are much more energizing and nutritional. You cannot alkalize yourself properly if you do not consume raw, ripe, living foods."

In terms of detoxification, alkaline-forming foods feed, nourish and help our bodies detoxify on a deeper level, whereas acid-forming foods slow or inhibit the detoxification process. This is important to consider when you are focused on healing illness symptoms and disease through cleansing the body's tissues.

Acids are corrosive in nature, and alkaline elements neutralize these acids. However, acids are still necessary for ionization and oxidation. There are no shortage of studies showing the endless health benefits of eating a predominately plant-based diet rich in alkaline-forming fruits and vegetables. It is recommended to eat approximately 80-90% alkaline-forming foods and 10-20% acid-forming foods.

» 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐢𝐝-𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬?

Acid-forming foods are inflammatory by nature. They are high in sulphur, phosphorus and nitrogen. The more acidic foods we eat, the more this adds to the body's acid burden, and the harder the body has to work to bring the pH back into balance.

3.) It does this by leaching alkaline-rich minerals like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus from our bones, teeth and other organs, and releasing them into the lymphatic system to buffer acids and restore balance.

4.) Consuming an excess of protein-rich foods, which are acid-forming, can lead to decreased bone density if not buffered by alkaline-rich foods.

5.) Metabolic acidosis can enhance the rate of muscle protein degradation.

6.) Eating a diet rich in alkaline fruits and vegetables high in potassium helps to preserve muscle mass.

7.) A diet high in acid-forming foods can also result in chronic kidney disease.

8.) There is a strong body of evidence showing that an acidic external microenvironment of cells leads to tissue damage, inflammation and plays a significant role in the progression and migration of cancers.

9.) Animal products in particular irritate the cells of the body and the mucosa. This is seen especially with dairy products. It activates an immune response and creates mucus production through the body.

The more we eat, the more congestion is created and stored in the lungs, sinus cavities, ear canals, throat and intestines. This causes white blood cells to increase, creates inflammation and promotes an environment for pathogens to thrive.

10.) The alkaline-forming plant foods which predominantly made up our ancestors' diet have been replaced with energy-dense, nutrient-poor, processed foods. This type of diet lacks essential minerals like magnesium and potassium and is rich in saturated fat and chloride, and induces a state of metabolic acidosis in the body.

It's no coincidence that most people today eat a diet of acid-forming foods and inflammatory diseases like heart disease, cancer, obesity, ulcerations and congestive disorders are at an all-time high.

𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐥𝐤𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞-𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐢𝐝-𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬

Alkaline-forming foods:

watermelon, papaya, oranges, lemons, mangoes, apples, persimmons, grapes, dates, avocadoes, lime, kiwi, grapefruit, sapote, jackfruit, strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, nectarine, green beans,  broccoli, cauliflower, celery, spinach, cucumbers, zucchini, garlic, olives, pumpkin, squash, sweet potato, dulse, kelp, lettuce, kale, mustard greens, cilantro, mint, parsley, arugula, dill.

Acid-forming foods:

meat, alcohol, coffee, bread, flour products, processed oil, cheese, pasteurized dairy, burgers, pizza, chocolate, most grains, salt, soy products, beans, most nuts, most seeds, eggs.

Our bodies are working constantly to maintain a state of homeostasis, including keeping a steady pH balance in both the blood and the lymphatic system.

The foods you eat will either help nourish, clean and regenerate your body or inflame, poison and degenerate your body.