In Acid-Base Equilibrium

Our body can only work properly if it has the proper acid-base balance. The unit of measurement for acids and bases is the pH value. The measuring scale ranges from 1 to 14, with 1 as the highest degree of acidity and 14 as the highest possible base value. A neutral pH value is 7.

A healthy body is in a slightly alkaline state with a pH between 7.35 and 7.45. However, there are areas in the body where a different environment rules. The stomach is naturally very acidic due to stomach acid, while the secretion of the pancreas is alkaline and neutralizes the acidic chyme in the small intestine. If an acid molecule meets a base molecule, a neutral salt molecule is formed that can be excreted without damage. If, however, there are more acids than bases in the body, the body can no longer get rid of the acids, its tissue is acidified and a multitude of ailments and diseases can result.

 

Nutrition Decides Our Acid-Base Balance

A healthy diet consists of two-thirds alkaline food and one-third acid-forming food.

We distinguish between foods that are naturally acidic and foods that produce acid during digestion. A food's sour taste does not play a role. Lemons, for example, have an acidic taste but are metabolized in the body as a base.

Vegetables, salads and fruit form the basis of a healthy diet

As one of the few base vegetables that supplies protein, soy occupies a special role and should be increasingly incorporated into the diet. In order to lose weight successfully, your body needs protein. Therefore, to avoid hyperacidity, it is recommend to combine acidic animal protein in the form of meat, fish, dairy products or eggs with vegetable protein in the form of legumes, with twice the amount of vegetables or salad. The avoidance or at least moderate consumption of foods containing sugar, noodles, rice, coffee and alcohol also helps you to regain a healthy acid-base balance.

Movement deacidifies your body!

Not only poor nutrition, but also lack of exercise and the resulting flat breathing, can acidify your body. When you move your breathing deepens, and more carbon dioxide -- an acid -- is exhaled, resulting in a deacidified body. To this end, movement should be aerobic (with oxygen) Daily endurance training is ideal. Unusual and extreme sports activities are not recommended for those with hyperacidity. With such anaerobic activity, the body produces lactic acid -- most recognizable by sore muscles -- and is then additionally burdened with acids.

Intestinal disturbances, anger and stress can also over-acidify the body. With fiber-rich nutrition and exercise, the intestine then starts to move and produces less decay and fermentation.

Drinking enough water stimulates the kidneys to excrete acids. Drink about two liters (8 cups) of water a day. Your urine should always be only slightly yellow.

The skin can also excrete acids via sweat, so passive sweating -- such as in the sauna -- as well as active sweating through exercise and exertion has the same deacidifying effect.