What are acidic and alkaline foods ?

What are acidic and alkaline foods ?

Acidic and alkaline foods are a set of foods that are divided into two main categories based on their chemical properties. This chemical property is determined according to the pH level of acidity and alkalinity of each food.

Acidic foods include those foods whose pH is lower than 7. At the same time, alkaline foods include those foods whose pH is higher than 7. The importance of balance between the consumption of acidic and alkaline foods is very important for the health of the body. Foods with acidic pH may cause the production of severe acids and also cause various diseases such as heart diseases, diabetes and cancer. However, consuming enough alkaline foods can help reduce these risks and improve health.

Some people, due to some kind of eating habits or diseases such as kidney stones, have to consume more alkaline foods. But it should be noted that the balance between the consumption of acidic and alkaline foods is beneficial for all people and can help improve the overall health of the body. In this article, Ghafari Diet talks about acidic and alkaline foods, the importance of maintaining a balanced pH in the body, the list of types of alkaline foods, the list of types of acidic foods, the benefits of eating alkaline foods, the dangers of consuming too much acidic foods, and some guidelines for using acidic foods. And we will pay alkali.

What is meant by body pH?

Body pH refers to the acidity or alkalinity of the body. The internal environment of the human body, like other biological systems, has a specific pH. Generally, the pH of the body is in the range of 7.35 to 7.45, which is a weak alkaline environment. In fact, the body is able to maintain a constant pH of its internal environment due to the special function of the kidneys and lungs, as well as the pH-reflecting tissue system.

What is a balanced pH?

Balanced pH means a balance in which the concentration of hydrogen ion (H+) and hydroxide ion (OH-) ions in an environment are equal to each other, which causes the pH of that environment to be 7. The appropriate pH level varies in your body. For example, the pH level of saliva is between 6.2 and 7.6, while urine is usually more acidic, especially in the morning due to the metabolic process of preparing for excretion! Nutritious and high-calorie foods

A balanced pH is important for many biological systems, such as blood; Because any disturbance in it can cause various disorders and diseases. Your body goes through a complex process to make sure your blood pH stays balanced. A disturbance in the pH of the body, such as excessive acidity of the internal environment of the body, can cause various disorders and diseases. All you have to do is eat a balanced diet to support your body’s natural processes!

What are acidic and alkaline foods?

As mentioned in the previous section, acidic and alkaline foods are divided into two categories based on their chemical properties. This chemical property is determined according to the pH (acidity and alkalinity) of each food.

Our body has a specific pH that must remain within a certain range for cellular and metabolic functions to be carried out properly. Technically, pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. The pH scale is between 0 and 14. Neutral pH is 7.0. The higher the pH (i.e. greater than 7), it will be alkaline or basic, while the pH less than 7 is acidic. So:

• Acidic foods: are foods with a pH lower than
• Alkaline foods: are foods with a pH higher than

More than any other factor, our diet can affect our body’s pH. Research has shown that many non-alkaline foods, such as high-protein foods, lemon juice, coffee, and foods with high acidity, can increase the body’s acidity and increase the likelihood of various diseases.

In fact, our body reacts by producing an alkaline substance to maintain its pH balance. If the acidity is high, our body is forced to produce more of this alkaline substance to maintain the balance. For example, one of the factors that can increase the acidity of the body is the high consumption of protein foods.

But consuming foods such as vegetables and alkaline fruits can help reduce this acidity and be beneficial for the health of the body. In general, the alkaline diet or alkaline diet includes the consumption of alkaline foods such as fruits, vegetables and tofu, and its goal is that 60 to 70 percent of all consumed foods are based on alkaline substances and the other 30 to 40 percent of calories can be It provides acidic foods such as eggs, meat and bread

Considering that foods with an acidic pH may cause the production of strong acids in the body, this can cause various diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer, also, the imbalance between the consumption of acidic and alkaline foods causes problems such as worsening joint pain. Headache, fatigue and general weakness. For example, peptic ulcers occur when the thick layer of mucus that protects the stomach’s digestive fluids is reduced. Digestive acids then damage the tissues inside the stomach and make them ulcerate.

List of acidic foods

• Meat products, protein-rich foods and supplements containing animal protein such as red meat, lamb, and processed meats, such as beef and turkey and pheasant, chicken and all poultry, crab and seafood, fish and fatty fish such as salmon. and tuna
• Some dairy products such as cheeses (especially parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese and cottage cheese) and yogurt.
• Protein foods such as eggs, soybeans, peas and beans, as well as fried and fatty foods
• Nuts of walnuts and almonds, peanuts and hazelnuts
• Processed foods with high sodium, hot sauces such as pepper sauce and gravy

Those with high sodium

Fruits such as plums and peaches, limes, grapes, oranges and grapefruits, blueberries, pomegranates and pomegranate juice, orange juice

• Tomato and its products such as tomato paste
• Wheat flour, some starchy foods such as brown rice, oat flakes or granola, pasta, white bread, whole wheat foods, white rice, and pasta.
• Chocolate, sweets, cocoa, brown sugar, ice cream, jam/jelly, fruit juice with sugar, candy, carbonated water, soda, caffeinated drinks, carbonated drinks, artificial sweeteners (sugar), energy drinks
• Corn/barley, grains, sweet corn, sumac, barberry, mint, vinegar, sweet potatoes, salted olives, semno, honey, pickles

List of alkaline foods

• Most vegetables such as cabbage, kale, broccoli, celery, lettuce, cucumber, spinach, celery, parsley, leek, sea vegetables, mustard greens, okra, chia, bell pepper
• Unprocessed grains and products such as brown rice, whole wheat and barley, most beans such as green beans, white beans, all sprouted beans, lentils, potatoes, eggplant, onions and garlic.
• Natural juices (without sugar) and most fruits such as avocado, lemon, orange, persimmon, grape, berry, apple and watermelon
• Nuts and seeds
• Probiotic products and fermented products; Like compote, butter, cake
• Waters with high pH such as spring water and mineral waters
• Vegetable oils such as olive oil, avocado and sesame oil.
• Other food ingredients such as buttermilk, pomegranate paste, egg whites, mushrooms, beets, dates, raisins, black currants, green tea, mint, cardamom, ginger and black pepper.

Natural fats such as olive oil, starches, butter, cream, milk and sugars are considered neutral foods.

Some recipes using acidic and alkaline foods

• Consuming alkaline foods is very important because it can help maintain the body’s acid-alkaline balance. Consuming enough of these foods can help improve body health, increase energy, and reduce inflammation.
• Maintaining a balance between acidic and alkaline foods is very important to improve body health; Therefore, using acidic foods without consuming enough alkaline foods can lead to an increase in body acidity.
• The best way to maintain the acid-alkaline balance is to consume the right amount of acidic and alkaline foods. For example, for each meal, you can consider serving 70-80% of alkaline foods and 20-30% of acidic foods.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables have a high alkaline content and their consumption can help improve body health and maintain acid-alkaline balance.
• Consuming water with a high pH can help maintain the body’s acid-alkaline balance. You can use spring water or mineral water with high pH.
• Consumption of vegetable oils such as olive oil and sesame oil have a high alkaline content and their consumption can help maintain the acid-alkaline balance of the body.
• It is better to reduce the consumption of acidic foods such as fatty, sweet, processed foods and foods containing caffeine and alcohol.

Benefits of eating alkaline foods

Improves digestion: Alkaline foods, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, are high in fiber, which aids digestion and absorption of nutrients and facilitates bowel emptying. These foods can also reduce complications such as indigestion, constipation and headaches. Obesity diet

Increased energy levels: Consuming alkaline foods can help increase energy levels and improve mood. By reducing the consumption of high-fat, sugary, processed and caffeine-containing foods and alcohol, consuming alkaline foods can help improve the overall health of the body.

Better overall health: Consuming alkaline foods can help reduce the risk of various diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and infectious diseases. These foods can also help improve cholesterol levels, control blood pressure, and improve overall liver function.

Overall, maintaining a balance between alkaline and acidic foods can help improve the overall health of the body, leading to improved digestion, increased energy levels, and better overall health.

Dangers of consuming too much acidic foods

Consuming too much acidic foods can have serious health risks. One of the main dangers of this problem is the increase of inflammation in the body. Acidic foods can increase blood acidity, which causes inflammation in the body. If these inflammations are not treated, they can gradually lead to various diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic inflammatory diseases, cancer, etc.

In addition, excessive consumption of acidic foods can weaken the immune system. In this case, the body has less ability to deal with various infections and diseases. As a result, high consumption of acidic foods can increase the risk of chronic diseases.

Among the other risks associated with excessive consumption of acidic foods is the disruption of the body’s acid-alkaline balance. Consuming too much acidic foods increases the level of blood acidity and disrupts the body’s acid-alkaline balance. This issue may cause problems in the kidneys and digestive system.

Therefore, in order to maintain the health of the body, it is necessary to maintain a proper balance between the consumption of acidic and alkaline foods, and excessive consumption of each of these two types of foods leads to risks such as increased inflammation in the body and weakness of the nervous system.