This topic sounds weird, isn’t?
Some will ask, “how on earth do you expect me to eat foods that contain acids?”
Why some others will ask, “Aren’t acids dangerous to the
body?”
Yes! You’ve got to have some taste of acidic food to be hale
and hearty.
You might be right in this confused state of mind but I will clarify this for you now.
What are acids?
These are chemical substances which are sour to taste and
neutralize base to form salt.
To better understand this topic let’s take a look at the
meaning of pH.
pH is the measure of the degree of acidity and alkalinity of a body.
pH is the measure of the degree of acidity and alkalinity of a body.
Acidity, alkalinity and neutrality of anything is measured
with pH scale; pH scale start from 1 and ends with 14.
Acidic range of pH scale
The pH range of 1 to 3 is regarded as being highly acidic
while the range of 4 to 6 is seen as mildly acidic and pH of 6 to 6.9 is
slightly acidic.
Neutral pH
The pH level regarded as neutral pH is 7, the commonest food
which has this pH is water.
Alkaline range of pH scale
The pH range of 7.1 to 14 is known as the alkaline pH, and
pH of 14 is highly alkaline. Alkaline water falls in this range with a pH of 7.5 to 7.9.
With this in mind let’s go ahead and dig into the major aim
of this post.
Literally speaking, acids are hazardous to the health
because they are very corrosive.
Types of acids
Chemical acids
These are those ones that can be easily synthesized in the
laboratory used for producing equipment, drugs, paints, cosmetics and lots
more.
When the undiluted / raw acid form
touches the skin, it causes severe skin burn and damage.
Biological acids
Are acids which are present in natural
products like crops, animals, herbs, leaves, fruits and vegetables, roots, weed and et cetera.
The pH level of acidic foods is falls within the range of 3 to 6.9.
Acid foods
Acid foods are foods with pH of 6.9 and below yet do not cause rise in the acidity of the body when consumed .
Numerous foods fall within this range, although some do not allow the body pH to go down. Examples are; lemon, lime, oranges, cabbage, apples, coffee, tomatoes, and broccoli et cetera.
Most of them cause the body acidity to increase. Example includes processed drinks, sugary foods, chicken, red meat and processed foods.
The acid foods I am referring to are those that do not raise the body acidity rather increase the alkalinity of the body after consumption.
Are acidic foods really acidic or alkaline in the body system?
You might have heard that the internal body system work best
at alkaline pH.
Yes! You heard well.
The advocate for consumption of acidic food is so because during
metabolism, acidic foods are converted into alkaline
inside the body.
This alkaline medium is very beneficial for good health. So because
of this, acidic foods are mostly called alkaline foods.
If the internal system is acidic in nature, it tends to
promote the formation of free radical. This free radical gives rise to
development of many terminal diseases.
Therefore we are advised to take more of acidic /alkaline foods as often as possible, (remember they are acidic when they have not been
eaten but changes to alkaline in the body after consumption).
Importance of acidic foods
It can reduce the blood sugar level because it slows down
the rate of breaking down consumed sugar hence lower the rate at which the
blood sugar skyrockets.
Acid foods prevent the growth of cancerous cells; Dr. Otto
Warburg reported that cancer cells cannot thrive in an alkaline medium.
Ways to add acid to food
1.
Opt for salad cream that is made with vinegar.
2.
Instead of adding chemical preservatives to baked
products, go for vinegar or lemon since they do not just extend the shelf life
but add acid to the food.
3.
Take more of citrus fruits such as grapefruit,
lemon, oranges are acidic in nature.
4.
Consume sauerkraut. Hope you know what
sauerkraut is? It’s a cabbage which has been fermented.
5.
Drink wine during dinner but it must be in
moderation at least once in a day for women and twice for men.
6.
Go for sour food like sourdough, yoghurt and
fermented oil bean.
7. Eat whole grains more than refined grains.
7. Eat whole grains more than refined grains.
Research has shown that regular consumption of acidic / alkaline foods
helps in fighting against chronic diseases.
Finally, note that we are generally advised to eat alkaline foods.
The purpose of this post is to make you understand that most of the foods referred to as alkaline are acidic in real sense. Just that when such acidic foods are metabolized in the body, it changes to alkaline.
Finally, note that we are generally advised to eat alkaline foods.
The purpose of this post is to make you understand that most of the foods referred to as alkaline are acidic in real sense. Just that when such acidic foods are metabolized in the body, it changes to alkaline.
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