If the acid-base balance in the body is disturbed, the body can not only be restricted in its performance in the long term, but can also become seriously ill. Many people often feel listless, lacking in energy and tired. These symptoms are rarely associated with hyperacidity in the body. Acidic foods can severely affect the metabolism. The thought arises as to whether alkaline water could compensate for the acidic effect of food consumption.
Acidic foods can have an alkaline effect, sweet foods can make you sour
The human body is a true marvel. However, it needs different environments in different parts of the body in order to work unhindered and maintain its health. An unfavorable diet can shake things up here. If foods are not judged according to their nutritional values and active ingredients, but whether they have an alkaline or acidic effect in the body, a different picture sometimes emerges. Acidic lemon juice, for example, has an alkaline effect on the body, while the sweet chocolate bar has an acidic effect. There are a variety of foods and other influences on the body that can literally make it acidic.
When does the body become acidic?
Acid-forming foods, drinks, stimulants and an unfavorable lifestyle can accelerate acidosis in the body.
Animal proteins in particular, such as those found in meat, sausage, ham, fish, seafood, eggs, milk and a large proportion of dairy products, have an unfavorable effect on the acid-base balance in the body. But soy products, sweets, desserts, pastries and baked goods can also have an acidic effect on the body. Industrially produced convenience products that contain flavor enhancers, artificial sweeteners and colorings as well as synthetic preservatives are also a source of acidosis for the body.
When it comes to drinks, coffee, cola drinks, other soft drinks and carbonated mineral water in particular have an acidic effect on the body. Anyone who already has problems with acidosis should therefore quench their thirst with still mineral water, drinking water or herbal tea. Many herbal teas have an alkalizing effect on the body. There are also teas that are specially formulated as alkaline herbal teas.
In the case of stimulants, regular consumption of alcohol and nicotine can lead to acidosis of the body.
However, extreme sporting achievements, stressful situations, anger, fears and worries or a negative carousel of thoughts can also make the body acidic, as can toxins that are excreted via bacteria and fungi. Materials that permanently release toxins in the mouth during dental treatment are dangerous, not only because of their toxic ingredients, but also because of their acidic effect. Amalgam fillings in particular and the mercury they contain, as well as palladium from crowns, can be doubly harmful to the body.
Water is not alkaline by nature
If you look around in nature, you will find water that is neutral to slightly acidic. Only a few healing springs provide alkaline water. The values acidic, neutral and alkaline are classified by the pH value. If a pH value of less than 7 is measured, this is referred to as the acidic range. If the pH value is 7, the water is neutral. Values above 7 up to 14 are in the alkaline range.
Over the past millions of years, humans and animals have only drunk neutral to slightly acidic water. In the context of evolution, this alone is an important indication that water in this form is well adapted to the organism. So why should alkaline water be used when the human body is not adapted to it?
There are devices with which normal tap water is broken down into alkaline water with the help of an electric current. Another option is to alkalize water with a certain combination of minerals. However, it is unlikely that alkaline water will restore the alkaline-acid balance in an over-acidified organism. Alkaline water from medicinal springs is certainly helpful for certain therapeutic purposes. However, it is not suitable as a constant thirst quencher. If you drink a lot of alkaline water, you also run the risk of neutralizing your stomach acid. This can lead to digestive problems. In addition, the alkaline water would not enter the body in its pronounced alkaline form due to the stomach acid. This means that alkaline water cannot be used to compensate for acidic foods.
Alkaline support: If you want to do something straightforward for your acid-alkaline balance, you can – in addition to a plant-based diet – regularly drink alkaline herbal teas, use alkaline bath additives and try to reduce as many stress factors as possible. During the fasting period, alkaline fasting can help the body to regain its acid-alkaline balance.
