Strike a Balance

Our body maintains a slightly alkaline pH of 7.4. All foods are digested in the body, leaving a "food ash" that can be neutral, acidic or alkaline, depending on the mineral composition of foods. Foods that create acid residues after they have been broken down by the body are known as acid-forming foods. These include protein-rich foods such as eggs, meat, poultry, legumes, pulses and nuts. Alkali-forming foods include foods fruits and vegetables that leave an alkaline or basic ash. When blood pH falls below 7.35, this condition is known as metabolic acidosis. Its symptoms include nausea, weakness, and depression of central nervous system. Alkalosis, on the other hand, happens when blood pH rises above 7.45. It is a condition when acid-base disturbance is caused by an elevation in plasma bicarbonate concentration. Its symptoms include confusion, hand tremor, muscle twitching, and numbness or tingling in the face. Aim to achieve at least five to nine servings ( 1 serving = 1/2 cup) of fruits and vegetables daily with whole grains, modest intake of low-fat dairy, pulses, animal foods and nuts and limited intake of salt, sugar, fat and alcohol. By maintaining optimum level of pH of body, we can avoid many diseases. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- POTENTIALLY ACID OR ACID-ASH FOODS Meat , fish, chicken, shellfish, Walnuts, peanuts, peanut butter Starch All types of bread (especially whole wheat), cereal, crackers, macaroni, spaghetti, noodles, rice. Vegetables Corn lentils Fruit Cranberries, plums, prunes Desserts Plain cakes, cookies ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ POTENTIALLY BASIC OR ALKALINE-ASH FOODS Milk and milk products, cream, buttermilk Almonds,Fennel seeds, chestnuts, coconut Vegetables All types (except corn and lentils), especially beats, beet greens, swiss chard, dandelion greens, kale, mustard greens, spinach, turnip greens All types (except cranberries, plums, prunes) Molasses --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEUTRAL FOODS Butter, margarine, cooking fats, oils Starch Arrowroot, tapioca Plain candies, sugar, syrups, honey Beverages Coffee, tea