Benefits of Acidic Food

If you are fond of eating high fatty foods or acid-forming foods, think again.

It is a medical fact that disease thrive in environments with high levels of acidity.  Foods included in the acid-forming category can cause the beginning of weight problem and obesity, osteoporosis and/or arthritis, different types of skin disorder and the worst cancer.  It can also result in hyper-acidity, acid reflux disease, stomach ulcers, insomnia, irregular bowel movement due to constipation, water retention, cramps, headaches, joint and muscle pain, fatigue, spasms and depression due to low energy levels.

There are very little benefits of acidic food it gives the body; indulging into too many acid-forming foods can compromise your stamina, limit your strength, impair your digestion and weaken the immune system.  In our everyday life, acid-forming foods are all over us, we are surrounded by it, they are easily available, are convenient and inexpensive.  The most popular factor why people consume more acid-forming foods is that they are delicious, appetizing and addicting.  These are foods we find in fast food restaurants, vending machines, convenience store, school cafeteria, food trucks and small mom and pop eatery.

Acid-forming foods are not all bad for our health but excessive consumption is.  There should be a balance of acid-forming and alkaline-forming foods in our daily meals; the ideal ratio is 70 to 80% of alkaline food and 20 to 30% acid foods.  Alkaline food diet helps restore the balance between acidity and alkalinity of the body’s pH level.  The pH level of our blood is tightly regulated by a complex system that is continuously at work to maintain a range of 7.35 to 7.45, which is slightly more alkaline than pure water.  When the pH of our blood falls below 7.35, the result will lead to a condition known as acidosis.  Acidosis is a state that leads to central nervous system depression. Severe acidosis is where the pH of blood falls below 7.00.  This level is dangerous and can cause serious illness that may lead to death.  When the pH of your blood rises above 7.45, the result will lead to a condition known as alkalosis. Severe alkalosis can cause all the nerves in our body to be hypersensitive and over-excitable, often resulting in muscle spasms, nervousness, and convulsions.  Convulsion is dangerous and should not be taken lightly if it happens.

Moderation in everything is the key to healthy living, acid foods are not bad.  What make it not so popular among health enthusiast are the effects it gives the body due to over consumption.  If we keep the balance in our diet then we can from time to time reward ourselves with a slice of chocolate cake, a glass of Italian wine and a bite of your favorite hamburger!