The Alkaline-acid Balance In My Plate

Author: Maryam Ayres Time for reading: ~3 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

In this article, learn more about The Alkaline-acid Balance In My Plate. Which foods are alkaline and why emphasize them?.

The human body functions under conditions of homeostasis - a state of dynamic equilibrium. This is especially important for the optimal course of most chemical reactions, especially those involving enzymes. Even small deviations from the normal pH value cause significant changes in the speed and direction of chemical reactions in the cells. That is why the regulation of pH in body fluids is one of the most important aspects of homeostasis.

What is an alkaline-acid balance and why is it important?

In practice, pH is a numerical expression of the alkaline-acid balance. This is a chemical quantity and reflects how acidic or alkaline the environment is. When it comes to our body, we mean the amount of free hydrogen ions in body fluids. And their entry there is continuous, very variable and not subject to regulation.

The source of free hydrogen ions is our metabolism - organic and inorganic acids are formed as intermediate and final products of metabolism. Our body has three lines of defense - buffer, respiratory and renal systems. The blood system is a buffer - the substances present there neutralize the excess acid. The lungs, by exhaling carbon dioxide, reduce carbon dioxide, a donor of hydrogen ions. The kidneys excrete the latter in the urine.

Acidosis is when the pH of the blood is below 7.25 and alkalosis - above 7.45. In different cells it varies between 6 and 7.40 due to the different enzymatic processes in them. That is, neutral for humans is 7.40, not the chemical value of 7.00. Alkalosis is no less dangerous than acidosis, but due to the peculiarities of our metabolism, the risk of acidosis in disease, poor diet and others is much more real and great than that of falling into alkalosis. Acute acidosis leads to suppression of processes in the central nervous system and in severe cases - to coma and death.

Even if it sounds abstract, changes in enzyme activity are responsible for many of the complaints in case of high blood acidity - headaches, fatigue, tiredness, muscle cramps, irritability, bad mood and digestion, bad breath, difficulty concentrating, bloating, formation of sand and kidney stones, etc.

How do we affect pH with food?

There is a big difference between acidic and acid-forming foods. Acidic are those that have a sour taste, while acid-forming ones can have any taste. The important thing about them is that in the process of their metabolism substances are formed that lower our pH. An example is protein in food - they contain large amounts of sulfur and phosphorus. Sulfur and phosphoric acid are formed from them in the body. The latter are donors of free hydrogen ions, leading us to acidosis. And so meat, fish, cheese, legumes, alcohol and others are acid-forming foods. The mechanisms are many, the end result for the body is the same.

By regulating the type of food that enters the body, we can successfully influence the amount of free hydrogen ions in the blood and relieve the load on the buffer systems, lungs and kidneys. This will allow our body to function properly in the right environment.

What are the recommendations?

Our daily diet has a structure in which an average of 55% of the foods in it are alkalizing and 45% - acid-forming, which is a mistake in relation to health. If we strive for balance, the correct ratio is 70:30 in favor of alkaline foods.

Acid-forming foods:

Meat and fish - especially smoked;
Cheeses and dairy products;
Refined and processed sugar, flour, rice and fats;
Alcohol, coffee, black tea, soda, excess salt.

Alkalizing foods:

All fruits;
All vegetables;
Oilseeds - almonds, chestnuts, pumpkin seeds, flax and sunflower;
Soy milk, almonds, etc .;
Aromatic green herbs;
Cold pressed olive oil;
Oats and whole grains, brown rice;
Spring water (mineral water is also recommended in summer when sweating profusely).

Anyone who undergoes such a regimen for a few weeks will see the health benefits and can turn the 70:30 rule into a lifestyle.

The Alkaline-acid Balance In My Plate

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

How do we affect pH with food?

What are the recommendations?

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