This is a big topic and a complex one. This blog is only to draw your attention to the pH of food and drink we intake and why our health is dependent on it. Other factors that will affect the body’s pH include exercise, fasting and detox programmes.
Some Sciencey Stuff
pH means the potential of hydrogen
pH Chart
Acidic 0.0 – 6.9 | Neutral 7.0 | Alkaline 7.1 – 14.0
Acidic states contain more hydrogen (H+)
Neutral contains a balanced state of (H+ and OH–)*
Alkaline states contain less hydrogen (H+)
* pure water at 25oC is neutral
Why should we have to consider pH in the food and drink we consume?
The human body is fascinating, different parts of the body function at different pH levels from very acidic to alkaline. It must function under these conditions otherwise it would not be able to perform the critical processes it is meant for.
Some examples
- Stomach: functions between pH1.5-3.5 which is needed to kill bacteria, breakdown food products ready for digestion
- Skin: the outer layer has a pH of around 4.0 to protect it from bacteria yet the inner layer functions at pH 6.9
- Intestines: small intestines used to breakdown food, absorb nutrients and shed what is not required by the body functions at pH 6.0-7.4 and large intestine which absorbs water, electrolytes, vitamins and eliminates faeces functions between 7.35-7.45
Each body part and organ has its own homeostasis state where it thrives at it’s best.
The body should be slightly alkaline in order to build up an alkaline reserve for acid-forming conditions like stress, lack of exercise or poor diet.
Food vs it’s pH – Once Digested!
| Acid Forming Foods | Alkaline Forming Foods / Wholefoods |
|---|---|
| Meat | Fruits |
| Poultry | Nuts |
| Fish | Vegetables |
| Dairy | Tofu/ whole soybeans |
| Eggs | |
| Processed food (meats, soy beans/ soy milk) | |
| *Cows milk ranges 6.5-6.7 | |
| Caffeine drinks Tea, Coffee, Coke (fizzy drinks) | |
| Alcohol (including non-alcoholic beer and wine) | |
Sparkling water is around pH 4.5 |
So what would be a good ratio? Working with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) we are given the ratio 80|20; therefore 80% Alkaline Forming Foods or Wholefoods and 20% of everything else.
Sugar
Refined sugar is a special subject and get’s a little more attention. It’s pH may be 7 but it in excess has a detrimental affect on the body. It imbalances Na (sodium) and K (potassium) effecting the body’s ability to absorb water. For excess sugar (over 30g for adults according to NHS guidelines) your body will excrete more calcium** to balance the acidic waste.
Water
Water at it’s purest is pH 7.
At least it should be! However we have a lot of Cl– (chlorine) in our tap water as it’s required to kill off parasites, bacteria and any viruses. According to our Water Utilities the pH of drinking water can be anywhere from 6.5-8.5. Have you tested your drinking water lately?
At Acu-Sana we have invested in kangen, a water machine which provides water at pH 9.5 and eliminates chlorine as well as other chemicals. I encourage my patients to observe the difference between kangen water and tap water.
Bottles are available, just ask!
The Blood
Blood is pH 7.35-7.45
It is functioning at its best at a slightly alkaline state.
Feeding the body too much acidic food, encourages the body to extract more alkaline material (as per example above on calcium**) from other areas of the body like the bones in order to keep the blood regulating at a more alkaline state.
The Acidic Body
Is prone to ill health, disease, anxiety and inflammation.
We have all seen the campaign for 5 different vegetables and fruit a day, however according to Imperial College London ten portion of fruit and vegetables a day can reduce the chance of heart attack, stroke, cancer and early death.
The Alkaline Body
“NO disease, including cancer, can exist in an alkaline environment.”
– Dr. Otto Warburg (1931 Nobel Prize winner)
At Acu-Sana it is paramount that the holistic you is taken into account. The food you eat to the lifestyle you live all play a vital role in our health and wellbeing.
_________________
Author
Kulwinder Onica
“We have forgotten how incredible our bodies are in healing themselves, our modern society has altered our breathing pattern. By making small changes we can achieve big results”. Founder of Acu-Sana. My passion on wellness and understanding the functioning of our bodies has always been part of my journey. I studied Reflexology, Acupressure and then Acupuncture (TCM and Chinese Medicinal Herbs). I qualified in a Post Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture in 2010 from The Open International University of Complimentary Medicine (OIUCM).