Here is a handy, easy-to-read reminder to post on your refrigerator —
“pH” stands for power of hydrogen. It is a measurement of the hydrogen ion concentration in the body. The pH scale ranges from 1 to 14, with 7 considered to be neutral. A pH level lower than 7 is considered acidic and pH levels greater than 7 are basic (or alkaline). The ideal pH in humans is slightly alkaline (7.30 to 7.45).
An unbalanced system can create many health issues:
High acidity in the stomach can cause indigestion, nausea, acid reflux, bloating and Inflammation of the internal organs.
In the circulatory system, the body responds to the acidity by lining the vessels with fatty plaques to prevent life-threatening leaks, which arrest imminent death, but strain the heart because the aperture for the blood to flow through is narrower. When the heart becomes completely exhausted, this is known as a heart attack.
Acidic environments are breeding grounds for anaerobic pathogens whereas the high levels hydrogen of rich body fluids keep bad bacteria inactive.
When the respiratory system is overloaded with acidity, the transport of oxygen is strangled. When the ratio of acidity is too high, wastes in the form of mucus and infections and viruses build up in our lungs, which leads to colds, bronchitis, asthma, etc.
The two main form of arthritis (Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis) are related to pH imbalance and accumulation of acid deposits in the joints and wrists. This accumulation of acid damages the cartilage. When the cells that produce the lubricating synovial fluids and bursa fluids are acidic, the result is a dryness that irritates and swells the joints.
Acidity weakens the nervous system by depriving it of energy, leaving you physically and mentally exhausted.
If the body is overwhelmed by excess acids, one of the things our body starts doing is pulling alkaline minerals from the bones and releasing them in the blood. If this occurs frequently, the minerals build up in the kidneys results in painful kidney stones.
When acidity increases in the muscle cells, it disrupts the metabolism breakdown of glucose and oxygen to energy – This causes the muscles to perform poorly.
These foods offer high levels of other micronutrients as well, and their neat packaging can be especially helpful for those who lack time to prepare whole balanced meals or people recovering from illness.