How to Balance Your Body's pH Levels
Your body really is the sum of its parts.
If one part of your body isn’t working properly, the entire system will
get bogged down. But why do we treat the symptoms instead of going to
the root of the problem? If a cog in the machine breaks, we fix it, but
instead of shutting everything off and putting a patch on an integral
part of the chain, why don’t we make sure the chain is strong? Why don’t
we ensure that the body is well maintained, oiled, and always topped up
with the proper fuel?
A Well-Oiled Machine
Well maintained means rested. Well-oiled
means hydrated. Gassed up with proper fuel means eating a diet that is
made up of the right foods – alkaline-forming foods. These foods help to
create and maintain a healthy pH in the body.
The majority of diseases love acidic conditions and cannot exist when
the pH level (the concentration of hydrogen ions in your blood) in the
body is alkaline. The pH scale ranges from 0-14, with 0 being highly
acidic, and 14 being highly alkaline.
Healthy pH Balance
The perfect pH range in humans is 7.30-7.45, so slightly acidic.
However, there’s a problem – our stomachs need acid to break down foods,
but this acid helps bacteria, fungi, and viruses to reproduce. The
majority of us are not as alkaline as we should be.
However, this is easily rectified. Below you will find 12 ways to
balance your body’s pH levels so you can get (or remain) as healthy as
you possibly can. An alkaline diet promotes healthier sleep, provides
the body with more burnable energy, and is pretty easy to follow.
14 Ways to Balance Your Body’s pH
1. Consume only organic, non-GMO foods. By
doing this, you will be able to avoid pesticides, chemicals, and other
contaminants that produce acid.
2. Consume alkaline-forming foods. Most fruit and vegetables can be put
into this category.
3. Eat less refined flours, sugars, and meats. You should aim to eat
only 40-50 grams of protein per day as these acid-forming foods all
contribute to a very unhealthy pH balance.
4. Prepare meals intelligently. Combine
acidic foods with alkaline foods in order to create a meal that has a
perfect balance. If you’re not sure what foods are alkaline and which
are acidic, consult this list.
5. Drink 1-2 glasses of apple cider vinegar and water each day. Simply
mix 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 8 ounces of water.
6. If you do not fancy the above drink, you can always combine 2
tablespoons of lemon or lime juice with half a teaspoon of baking
powder. After the foaming has stopped, add 8-12 ounces of water and
drink immediately.
7. You can also try drinking 2 teaspoons of baking soda mixed with 8
ounces of water daily. If you suffer from hypertension or an edema, you
should avoid this option, or talk to a doctor first.
8. Drink a glass of warm lemon water in the
morning. To make this drink, juice half a lemon and add it to 8 ounces
of warm water. Drinking this first thing in the morning will rid your
body of excess acids, creating an alkaline state. The water should
always be warm as this will put the least amount of stress on your gut.
9. Eat foods that are rich in potassium. Such foods include lemons,
honey, bananas, sweet potatoes, and raw, natural yogurt.
10. Mix 1-2 teaspoons of cream of tartar with 8 ounces of water. This
will help your body form an alkaline state, and is especially good when
it comes to calming nausea, relieving a headache, or overcoming shock.
11. Drink lots of water every day. This is the best way to ensure that
your system is kept well oiled. Drinking water will help you to
eliminate waste from your body. You should aim to drink 7-8 glasses of
water a day.
12. Take digestive enzyme supplements. This will help to balance your pH
levels and help your body to overcome acidosis. The pancreas is the
organ that is mostly responsible for digestive enzyme production, so if
your pancreas is not functioning properly, your natural enzyme level
will not be where it needs to be.
13. Get active. Exercise can help remove
the acidic waste that your body naturally creates, creating a more
favorable alkaline environment. Even 5 minutes of brief walking can make
a big difference, so don’t assume that you need to exercise for an hour
to reap any benefits.
14. Snack on raw, unsalted almonds. These nuts are full of natural
alkaline minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which help to balance
out acidity, while also balancing blood sugar.