Your body needs a balanced pH level. The scale goes like this:
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 healthy 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Human blood pH should be slightly alkaline ( 7.35 - 7.45 ). Below or above this range means symptoms and disease. A pH of 7.0 is neutral. A pH below 7.0 is acidic. A pH above 7.0 is alkaline. A blood pH of 6.9, which is only slightly acidic, can induce coma and death.
You can find a list of high to low alkaline & acid foods here:
http://www.angelfire.com/az/sthurston/acid_alkaline_foods_list.htmlThe reason acidosis is more common in our society is mostly due to the typical Western diet, which is far too high in acid producing animal products like meat, eggs and dairy, and far too low in alkaline producing foods like fresh vegetables. Additionally, we eat acid producing processed foods like white flour and sugar and drink acid producing beverages like coffee and soft drinks. We use too many drugs, which are acid forming; and we use artificial chemical sweetners like NutraSweet, Spoonful, Sweet 'N Low, Equal, or Aspartame, which are poison and extremely acid forming.
http://www.rense.com/1.mpicons/acidalka.htm The last quarter of this page has a really interesting list of foods and numbers associated with a description on what consumption of these do for you.
A food's acid or alkaline-forming tendency in the body has nothing to do with the actual pH of the food itself. For example: Though lemons, limes, and grapefruits are chemically acid, tests show that when they are metabolized in the body they actually have an alkalizing effect and are very beneficial. They have very little sugar. And they contain an abundance of oxygen. Lemons are said to be the richest source of minerals and vitamins of any food or foods known to man.
Over acidity, which can become a dangerous condition that weakens all body systems, is very common today. It gives rise to an internal environment conducive to disease, as opposed to a pH-balanced environment which allows normal body function necessary for the body to resist disease. A healthy body maintains adequate alkaline reserves (Electrolytes) to meet emergency demands. When excess acids must be neutralized our alkaline reserves are depleted leaving the body in a weakened condition.
http://www.pureliquidgold.com/acid-alkaline-forming-foods.htm - see the lovely colourful chart for more info
Lemons are good for you!!! So is grapefruit... so have a slice of lemon/lime or grapefruit in a couple of glasses of pure water (no fluoride) when you wake in the morning - your body will love you for it - but remember balance is the key. And all acid forming in moderation - try and avoid the refined acids and if you over indulge (as we all do sometimes) bring your pH levels up with more lemons!!
Tue Feb 10, 2009 3:11 am
