PH balance is not something you hear about very often from physicians or the media, but it is incredibly important to your long-term health. When the balance of acid and alkaline are disrupted, your entire body can be affected, especially the kidneys, bones, and muscles. Fortunately, there is something you can do about it!
What is pH Balance?
PH balance is simply the equilibrium of acid and non-acids (alkali) within your bodily fluids. In today’s society, the average human diet is packed with unhealthy acid-forming foods without proportional amounts of alkaline-forming foods to balance them out. The resulting high acidic levels put a heavy strain on the kidneys and force your body to steal minerals from the bones and muscles. Not good! The solution? Eat more alkaline minerals.
Alkaline Minerals
Calcium, potassium, and magnesium are three macro minerals that are needed by the body to complete hundreds of vital functions; one of which is to balance acidity levels. A few ways that a balanced pH can promote health include:
- To help bones retain calcium, preventing osteoporosis
- Prevention of demineralization of teeth and bones
- Keeping kidneys running smoothly and helping to prevent kidney stones
- To prevent acid-related diseases like acidosis
- Maintaining oxygen supply to cells and thus improving energy levels
Healthy Eating to Promote pH Balance
One effective way to achieve a balanced pH is to eat a healthy diet that is high in alkaline and low in acid. A few of of the foods that are acid-forming in the body include:
- Processed and packaged foods that contain high levels of sodium chloride (salt)
- Soft drinks
- Wine and beer
- Coffee and black tea
- All meats, including chicken, beef, pork, and fish
- Vinegar
- Eggs
- Rice and oats
- Certain cheeses
Since all of the above foods are acid-forming, they must be equaled out with alkaline-forming minerals. In fact, many nutritionists recommend a diet that is 80% alkaline and 20% acidic. Most fruits and vegetables contain alkaline minerals, especially:
- Cucumbers
- Figs
- Sprouts
- Dates
- String beans
- Root vegetables, such as radishes, carrots, beets, turnips, and rutabagas
- Avocados
- Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage
- Fresh coconuts
- Leafy greens
- Raisins
- Lemons
- Wheatgrass
- Melons, like watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew
If you’re not sure that your diet contains sufficient alkaline-forming foods, try an all-natural supplement of alkaline minerals by the Dr. Clark Research Association. Browse more supplements in our store, or you can learn more about minerals on the Living Clean blog: