A living organism needs to maintain the constancy of homeostasis - its internal environment. This is especially important for blood. Its pH fluctuates within fairly narrow limits. The minimum value of this indicator is 7.35, and the maximum is 7.45. Even the slightest change in the acid-base balance of the blood, which goes beyond the normal range, leads to disease.
Of the pathological phenomena, acidosis can most often develop . This disease, expressed in a sharp violation of the normal course of metabolic processes, is a shift in the pH of the blood to the acidic side. To prevent the development of pathologies, it is important that the blood reaction is not acidic, but alkaline.
Harm of acid-base imbalance
Changes in blood pH are hazardous to health. In the event that an excess of acid is observed in the body, tissue corroding processes occur. Water is retained in the cells, which impairs metabolic processes. As a result of this, more rapid deterioration of all organs and systems occurs, as well as deterioration of the skin, which becomes wrinkled and dry. To prevent this, the concentration of acid in the blood should be normalized. In this case, the body resorts to its alkaline reserves.
In the case when the iron contained in the hemoglobin of blood is consumed for these purposes, a person develops a constant feeling of fatigue. When restoring the acid-base balance with calcium, irritability and insomnia appear. The removal of this important mineral from the bones of the skeleton leads to the occurrence of osteoporosis.
With a decrease in the alkaline reserve in the nervous tissue, a mental disorder occurs. Depression is not excluded.
In the case of an increase in blood acidity, cells of the body donate their mineral reserves, which leads to an imbalance of their internal environment. This process negatively affects the activity of enzymes. In addition, acidity is an ideal medium for the growth of cancer cells.
Source of Health - Alkaline Products
In many people, unfortunately, the pH of the blood is shifted towards increased acidity. You can verify this when analyzing using a regular litmus test, which is sold in a pharmacy.
This problem is quite serious, requiring certain actions from a person. It is worth remembering that an imbalance in the blood arises primarily due to food. The pH of the whole organism, and, consequently, its health, depends on the composition of your dishes. That is why it is necessary to know what foods alkalize the body. It is impossible to taste them. Sometimes alkalizing products are very acidic. The most striking "trickster" is a lemon. This citrus is included in the list of main products that shift the pH towards the alkaline indicator.
But meat and fish, white bread and eggs, that is, everything that does not have the slightest acidity, can change the balance of blood in the opposite direction.
How to decide on the choice of products that give the body an alkaline reaction?
Each person should know the food, the use of which normalizes the pH of the blood. Foods alkalizing the body should be in the daily diet. This will preserve health, youth, beauty, live a full active life for many years.
There is a table of alkalizing products developed by N. Walker and R. Pope. In it, the list of fruits, vegetables and cereals is built depending on their alkalizing or oxidizing effect on the body. To determine the degree of influence on blood pH, the following conventions are used:
0 - weak effect on the balance;
00 - average alkalization or oxidation;
000 is a strong influence;
0000 is a very powerful impact.
In the event that you want to include products that alkalize the body in your daily diet, the table will tell you their list, as well as the degree of influence on the restoration of the disturbed balance.
What is important for proper nutrition?
Alkaline foods that are essential for the health of every person include water on their list. This, as you know, is the basis of our whole life. In addition, water is an available fluid that normalizes blood pH.
Alkaline dairy products are, first of all, milk, as well as whey. Cottage cheese is also on this list.
The most powerful alkaline product is milk. It is rich in protein, calcium, and other healthy substances. However, this product is not tolerated by everyone. In this case, it is recommended to use fresh whey. It retains all the beneficial properties of milk in the absence of allergenic lactose, casein, etc. Moreover, whey is one hundred percent suitable for dietary nutrition.
What other foods alkalize the body? This list includes yeast-free black cereal bread. It is the richest source of minerals, fiber, vitamins and amino acids. It is worth remembering that in the store such bread is not for sale. It is necessary to cook it yourself.
Foods that alkalize the body are bananas. They contain serotonin and many other biologically active elements.
All greens (basil, parsley, dill, etc.) are also products that alkalize the body. Good for health and spinach. This product not only reduces blood acidity, but also includes a large amount of vitamin C, chlorophyll, as well as many other components that are important for the normal functioning of all organs and systems.
What other foods alkalize the blood? Avocados are very beneficial for maintaining pH. It refers to fruits that strongly alkalize the body. In addition, avocados are rich in vitamins E and A, folic acid salts, dietary fiber and potassium. It contains a lot of healthy monounsaturated fats.
Almonds are the only alkalizing nut product. It is rich in oils, protein and vitamin E.
Blood alkalizing products are leaf and head salads. All types of cabbage (Brussels sprouts, white cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.) are also included in this list.
Cooked potato has a slightly alkaline reaction. At the same time, freshly squeezed juice from this vegetable is a real storehouse of trace elements and nutrients. Such a product has a significant alkalizing effect.
The diet should include cereals, cucumbers and carrots, watermelons and mangoes, zucchini and raspberries, corn and dates, Jerusalem artichoke and celery. All of these products are alkalizing.
Pumpkin is very useful for human health. It contains vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system, B, which eliminates irritability and fatigue, as well as A, K, and E. Those who love pumpkin ensure a good complexion and positive mood. This is facilitated by the high iron content in the vegetable. Pumpkin perfectly alkalizes the body and gives a person a healthy life.
Useful for balanced blood and turnip composition . This vegetable is a leader in the presence of ascorbic acid. It contains a lot of sulfur and phosphorus salts. Glucoraphanin is present in turnips. This is a rare substance that can produce anticancer and antidiabetic effects.
Beets and pears, as well as peppers of all kinds, have an alkalizing effect. Any vegetable oil obtained by first cold pressing, as well as decoctions of chamomile and mint herbs, lemon balm, etc., is useful for a normal blood pH.
Daily ration
The daily menu should include both acidifying and alkalizing foods. However, it is necessary to observe proportions. For a healthy person, the ratio of oxidizing and alkalizing products should be approximately fifty to fifty. With various pathologies of the body, a proportion of 20:80 must be observed. This ratio will allow to normalize the acid-base balance of the blood.
In addition, products should be combined correctly. So, it is best to eat fish and meat with vegetables, and not with cereals or pasta. But coffee or alcohol is recommended to drink water. Berries should be used as a side dish or base for gravy and sauces when cooking meat dishes.
Body cleansing
Excess acids from the body must be removed. Naturally, this process occurs through the kidneys with urine, through the lungs with exhalation, as well as with feces and sweat. To increase urine output, we drink water. In case of problems with the intestines, we use its gentle cleansing. The air exhaled by the lungs cannot be influenced. But the release of acids through the skin, unfortunately, is “walled up” by modern antiperspirants. Using these modern sweat products, we increase the burden on the kidneys. As a result of this, these excretory organs are exposed to various diseases, cannot cope with the task assigned to them, which leads to oxidation of the body. To stay healthy, this should be avoided.
Normalization of weight
Knowledge of the acid-base balance is needed not only to maintain health. They allow you to normalize weight. The acidification of the body not only disrupts the functioning of all systems, but also leads to a set of extra pounds. That is why the use of alkalizing products not only restores blood pH, but also allows you to create the perfect figure.
Nutrition Tips
Effectively restore the acid-base balance will allow soaking such products:
- seeds and raw nuts thirty minutes before a meal;
- legumes for the night;
- croup before cooking for thirty minutes.