Acidic and alkaline foods are classified by their pH level. 7 is “neutral” while anything below is acidic and anything above is alkaline. Our bodies need a healthy balance of both of these types of food in order to keep our bodies balanced. Every living thing on this planet is regulated by pH levels, from dogs and cats to soil and flowers. The effects of each type of these food are drastically different, and in excess could be harmful.
Overview Of Acidic Foods
1. pH Levels
The acidity of foods are classified based on their pH level. The lower the pH level in a food the more acidic it is. For Exampled vinegar has a pH level of 3.10. Anything below a level of 7 is considered acidic.
2. Teeth
The part of the body that takes the most damage when is comes to consuming acidic foods is our teeth. The high level of acidity causes the enamel of the teeth to break down. This is caused because the acid softens the enamel of the teeth, leaving them highly susceptible to damage.
3. Oxygen Levels
Eating excessive amounts of highly acidic foods can deplete the oxygen in your body. Your body uses oxygen for virtually every function, specifically your brain. Have low oxygen levels can result in dizziness, headaches, and much more.
4. Strain On Organs
Your body is naturally equipped to handle a small portion of acid. The kidneys and liver work hard to release the acid from the body, however if highly acidic foods are consumed in large portions these detoxification organs can become over burdened. This can result in severe health problems over time.
5. Bone Health
Acidic foods also work against your alkaline minerals that you have stored in your body. The largest storage of these is calcium, which is the main component of our bones. Depleting this storage can result in weak and brittle bones.
6. Acidosis
An over consumption of acidic foods can result in a state of acidosis. This is when you body uses all of it’s available mineral sources to help counteract the acid. This can cause you to develop conditions such as osteoporosis. It also puts a massive amount of stress on the body, which affects your sleeping patterns because of increased cortisol levels. Other health issues that develop as a result of acidosis are increased body fat, hormone imbalance, and kidney stones.
7. Examples Of Acidic Foods
Some of the most commonly consumed acidic foods are; olives, canned fruits, citrus fruits, alcohol, coffee, red meat, white bread, and parmesan cheese. These foods should not be avoided all together because they are required to have a balanced pH level, however should only be consumed in moderation.
Overview of Alkaline Foods
1. Body Needs More Alkaline
Our bodies are most healthy when our pH level is slightly above 7.4, this is in the alkaline range. Any food with a pH balance above 7 (neutral) is considered an alkaline food.
2. Chemotherapy Effectiveness
Many studies believe that eating an alkaline rich diet can really boost the effects of chemotherapy for certain cancers. This is because alkaline foods help to increase the supply of minerals that we have stored in our body, which are often drained during chemotherapy. If the alkaline minerals that are needed aren’t there then our body begins to pull them from our teeth, bone, and organs which highly compromises the immune system.
3. Chronic Yeast Infection Relief
Acidic foods create an ideal environment for fungus and yeast to form and thrive, which can cause reoccuring or chronic yeast infections. This can be greatly helped with the increased consumption of alkaline foods. This is because alkaline foods work against the acidic ones and keep your pH balance at a healthy range.
4. Muscle Mass
Alkaline rich foods contain minerals that our body naturally needs in order to maintain healthy bones and muscles. Having an alkaline rich diet, especially in older people, helps tremendously to preserve muscle mass in the body. This creates improvements with bladder and digestion issues, by keeping the muscles involved strong.
5. Examples of Alkaline Foods
Some examples of common high alkaline foods include; asparagus, celery, cucumber, cabbage, garlic, and green beans. It is important to eat lots of alkaline rich foods!
Differences Between Acidic and Alkaline Foods
1. Immune System
The immune system is the part of the body that defends us from sickness, infection, and disease. It is vital to keep it strong and it the best condition possible. Too many acidic foods cause the body to become stressed and work overtime to repair the damage, which hinders the immune system. Alkaline foods on the other hand work with the immune system, by supplying the body with nutrients and minerals it needs.
2. You Need More Alkaline Foods
While both acidic and alkaline foods are needed in order to keep the bodies pH levels balances, you need more alkaline foods to do so. The healthy pH level for a human body is around 7.4, and since anything above 7.0 is considered alkaline, your body naturally needs more alkaline rich foods to keep the balance.
3. Energy
One big difference between acidic and alkaline foods are the way they will make you feel when you eat them. Acidic foods often make you feel foggy and fatigued, because of oxygen depletion. While alkaline foods give you energy and are a natural mood booster!