Alkaline foods are those that increase the pH of our body. However, find out what they are and what their health effects are.
In chemistry, pH measures an element’s acidity or alkalinity, typically assessed in liquid form. For skin, discerning pH helps select suitable hygiene products, averting potential harm.
Similarly with food, understanding pH, though less common, is crucial. It indicates a food or drink’s acid content, on a scale of 0 to 14, with values below 7 signifying acidity.
What is an alkaline food and what does it consist of?
We can also talk about alkaline, neutral and acidic foods. However, before knowing what an alkaline or alkalizing food is, we must bear in mind that this condition is mainly due to its mineral content, and how these micronutrients alter the pH of our body.
In our discussion on blood pH, we noted the body’s neutral to slightly alkaline pH, ranging from 7.35 to 7.45. Alkaline foods can elevate this average pH, while foods laden with acidifying minerals have the opposite effect, lowering it.
Effects of alkaline foods on the body:
Essentially, alkaline foods mitigate the adverse effects of acidic foods. Excess consumption and physical or mental activity generate acidifying substances, necessitating alkalizing foods in our daily diet.
No food is solely good or bad. It’s crucial to maintain a dietary balance between alkalizing and acidifying foods, both vital for our body’s proper function. As nutritionists affirm, acidic foods are as beneficial as alkalizing ones, but dietary imbalances, like inadequate intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and cereals, are detrimental.
Our body stores alkalizing minerals chiefly in bones. An acid-heavy diet can trigger metabolic acidosis, hastening aging, reducing bone mass, and potentially causing osteoporosis.
