Balance Your PH for Optimal Health

Maintaining the right pH balance in your body is crucial for overall health and well-being affecting everything from digestion to bone health. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14 and measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution such as your blood or urine. Acid states in body fluids generally represent poor health, but confusingly, some foods can be acidic but actually alkalise the body.

Take a closer look at how you can balance your pH through diet and lifestyle.

What is pH?

pH stands for potential hydrogen, and it measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. In the human body, a higher pH means the blood is more alkaline and oxygen-rich, whereas a lower pH indicates acidity and oxygen deprivation. Human blood is typically maintained within a narrow pH range of 7.35 to 7.45. Deviating from this range can lead to chronic diseases.

The Importance of pH Balance

Different parts of the digestive system have varying pH levels:

·      Saliva: Usually between 6.5-7.5

·      Stomach: As low as 1.5-4 due to hydrochloric acid

·      Small Intestine: Can be as high as 8.5 due to sodium bicarbonate

Maintaining a low stomach pH is essential for the effective breakdown of food, while a blood pH of 7.35-7.45 is crucial for overall cellular health.

Consequences of Imbalanced pH

When blood pH drops below 7.35:

·      The body tries to buffer the acidity by leaching calcium from bones, leading to osteoporosis.

·      Muscle protein degradation occurs, which can contribute to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

·      Acidic environments can foster the growth of harmful yeasts, bacteria, and viruses.

Dietary Choices for pH Balance

Eating a diet rich in alkalizing foods while limiting acidifying foods can help maintain your body's pH balance. Here are some guidelines:

Highly Alkalising

VEG: barleygrass, wheatgrass,  spirulina,  green leafy veg (kale, spinach, rocket, etc...)  raw cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, broccoli sprouts),  courgette,  celery, cucumber, bell pepper, avocado, asparagus, root vegetables (carrots, onions, potatoes, shallots, turnip, sweet potato),  peas, green beans, aubergine, sea vegetable, mushrooms, shiitake, vegetable juice,

FRUIT: berries, apple, apricot, melon, strawberries, mango, grapefruit, lemon, papaya, pear, dates, dried fruit, 

GRAINS/ LEGUMES/ NUTS: millet, butter beans, haricot beans, alfalfa,  mung bean, almonds, 

HERBS/ SPICES: all herbs (parsley, coriander leaf, basil, dill, etc..), herbal tea, ginger, cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, clove, 

PROBIOTICS: miso, kombucha, kimchi, apple cider vinegar,

OTHER: stevia, 

Alkalising

VEG: olives, okra, chestnuts, garlic, artichokes

FRUIT: cherries, peaches, nectarines, pineapple, banana, tomatoes, 

GRAINS/ LEGUMES/ NUTS: wild rice, brown rice, spelt, barley, quinoa, soy, lentils, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, 

Neutral

OTHER:  goats milk, kidney beans, eggs,  navy beans, tofu,  rice cakes,  rye bread, sprouted wheat bread, almond milk, non-pasteurised and no sugar added fruit juice, olive oil, cocoa, coconut, ghee, oats,  sugar,  

Acidifying

OTHER: lamb, game, liver, natural yoghurt, butter, cream, whey protein, pistachios, most processed oils (sunflower, safflower, rapeseed, sesame, avocado, canola, lard, hemp seed oil, flaxseed oil), coffee, popcorn,  mayonnaise,

Highly Acidifying

PROTEIN: all animal protein, shellfish, bacon, pecans, basil nuts, hazelnuts, chickpeas,

OTHER: wheat, pasta, bread, black tea, alcoholic beverages, ice cream, table salt, artificial sweeteners, fried food, microwaved food, chocolate, pecans, pickles, shop bought sauces, malt vinegar, cranberries, oranges, honey, jam, marmalade, mustard, yeast, 

Additional Tips

·      Stress Management: Stress is acidifying for the body. Practice deep breathing and relaxation techniques to help maintain an alkaline state.

·      Hydration: Drinking sufficient water helps in maintaining the body's pH balance.

Balancing your pH is a continuous process that involves mindful eating and lifestyle choices. By incorporating more alkalizing foods into your diet and managing stress, you can support your body's natural pH balance and overall health.