Balancing Your pH Levels: Why It Matters and How to Achieve It

You aim to maintain balance in all aspects of your life—work, family, and friends—but often neglect your body's natural needs. Maintaining a proper pH level is vital, as an imbalance can disrupt your overall well-being. This balance is closely tied to what you eat and drink. In this read, let's understand the significance of maintaining proper pH balance and how our dietary choices impact it, paving the way for improved holistic health and well-being.

What is Ph Balance?  

The pH scale helps determine whether a substance is acidic, neutral, or alkaline. Our bodies require a specific pH balance—a delicate ratio of acid to alkaline—for optimal function. The pH level measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution, ranging from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very alkaline). Maintaining the right pH balance in your bodily fluids and organs is essential, as it can significantly impact digestion, hormone levels, metabolism, and overall body function. Just like various substances, different parts of the human body have distinct pH levels. The ideal pH for your blood is between 7.35 and 7.45, which is slightly alkaline. (Source-NIH)

Why Does Your Ph Balance Matter?

When you're healthy, your body naturally maintains its pH balance, with the kidneys playing a key role by filtering out excess acids and bases. These are then removed from our bodies through urine. However, certain factors and health conditions can disrupt this balance, making it harder for your body to function properly. A diet high in acidic and processed foods, along with environmental factors, can overwhelm your body’s ability to manage acidity. This can lead to issues like bone loss, fatigue, and systemic toxicity. As diets become more acidic and as we age, our bodies may struggle to maintain pH balance, placing additional stress on detoxification systems like the liver, kidneys, intestines, and lymphatic system, which can result in various health problems.

Foods to Balance Your Ph Levels 

Research suggests that adopting a more alkaline diet can offer several benefits, including preserving bone and muscle health and supporting individuals with reduced kidney function. (Source-NIH) It may also help limit muscle loss, enhance memory and alertness, and potentially extend lifespan. (Source- NIH) Alkalizing foods like soy products (miso, tofu), yogurt, milk, fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices (excluding salt), beans, lentils, whole grains (millet, quinoa), herbal teas, and healthy fats (olive oil, avocados, nuts, seeds) are a few good options to incorporate in your diet. Research from 2023 indicates that people following a more alkaline diet with a negative PRAL (more alkaline) tend to achieve more nutritional goals compared to those on a more acidic diet. (Source-NIH)

Supplements to Balance Your Ph Levels

Incorporating supplements with alkaline ingredients, such as detoxifying greens like spirulina, chlorella, moringa, and alfalfa, can aid in maintaining a balanced body pH. Apple cider vinegar is another effective option for supporting pH levels and can be used as a natural alternative to common over-the-counter medications. It offers a viable substitute for antacids, aspirin, and other pain-relieving drugs that many people use daily. Research suggests that by integrating these alkaline supplements and apple cider vinegar into your routine can help promote a healthier pH balance and potentially reduce reliance on conventional medications. (Source-NIH)

Bottom Line 

Maintaining the right pH levels in your body is vital for good health. Our heavily acidic diets, environmental factors, and ageing can throw off your pH balance and lead to an array of health issues. To keep your pH levels stable, focus on eating a balanced diet with plenty of alkaline-rich foods, staying well-hydrated, and steering clear of refined foods. In case of any gaps in your nutrition, alkaline supplements are always a good choice to help neutralize excess acids and support your body's pH balance effectively.