“The countless names of illnesses do not really matter. What does matter is that they all come from the same root cause…too much tissue acid waste in the body!” Theodore A. Baroody, N.D., D.C., Ph.D.

What is pH?

In simple terms pH measures acidity/alkalinity on a scale from 0 to 14. 0 is very acidic, 7 is neutral, 14 is very alkaline. Our body maintains our blood as slightly alkaline, about 7.4 on this scale. Even with the typical acid forming western diet, the blood will have the correct pH. If the pH of the blood goes outside 7.35 to 7.45 severe problems will develop.

Types of body fluid

There are various types of fluids in the body:
Intracellular fluid is found in all body cells and makes up about 66% of total body fluid.
Plasma is the fluid component of blood.
Interstitial fluid occupies the spaces surrounding your tissues.

So when we talk about getting the body pH correct we mean the pH of the fluids other than the blood. Most people have acidic body pH, which eventually leads to health problems.

The pH of our saliva is an indication of our overall body pH. The saliva should have a pH of just over 7.3; certainly if the saliva is acidic (pH less than 7) then the body has an acidity problem. pH test kits are available to test the saliva.

Below are some of the foods known to be acid forming or alkaline forming. Note, the pH of the food itself is not of much interest. What is important is the way the food affects body pH when digested. For example, lemons are acidic but have an alkaline forming affect when eaten.

Symptoms of an acidic body

If your body is acidic it will let you know. Common symptoms include: tiredness, leg cramps, insomnia, weight gain, weight loss, heartburn, allergies, skin disorders. If left unchecked, chronic disease will develop.

Water and body pH

Our body is 70% water, so the quality of our water intake has a dramatic effect on our body pH. Always drink pure water. Avoid soft drinks and alcohol.

Foods that make your body acidic

Meat, especially red meat.
Fish
Eggs.
Diary.
Wheat, rice.
Bread, pasta, pastries.
Legumes.
Most nuts.
Cranberries.
Blueberries.
Prunes.
Corn.
Coffee.
Alcohol.
Soft drinks.
Drugs.
Food chemicals.
Refined sugar.
Chocolate.

Foods that make your body alkaline

Lemons and limes.
Watermelon.
Grapefruit.
Papayas.
Green vegetables.
Carrot.
Beet.
Amaranth, millet, quinoa.
Sprouts.
Herbs.
Tomatoes.
Avacadoes.
Almonds.
Goat milk.
Raw honey.
Olive oil.
Flax seed oil.
Green tea.

Himalayan crystal salt

Himalayan crystal salt is great way to help the body back to an alkaline state. Read more here.

Barley grass

Barley grass juice and other green foods are great for helping the maintain an alkaline body pH. Make it fresh yourself or use a powdered product.

Weight loss

Many people struggle to lose weight even when they exercise a lot. Body pH may be the missing factor. An alkaline body pH will greatly assist weight loss.

Striking a balance

How can we achieve a lower body ph with a balanced diet? We don’t need to eat only alkaline forming foods, that would be an unbalanced diet. Choose a balanced diet with as many alkaline forming foods as possible. Check out the Mr Cabbage Head Diet .

References:

Baroody TA. Alkalize or Die. Holographic Health Inc. 1991.

Hay WH. A new health era.1933.

Young RO, Young SR. The pH Miracle: Balance Your Diet, Reclaim Your Health. Warner Books 2002.