The opposite of alkaline is acidic. Alkalinity is the measure of the pH level of any solution, and it is the opposite of acidity. The more alkaline a solution is, the higher its pH level and the more acidic a solution is, the lower its pH level.
How Does Acidity or Alkalinity Affect the Human Body?
The pH level of bodily fluids, organs, and other components can influence the biochemical reactions that support various functions, such as digestion, metabolism, and hormonal production. The ideal pH of the body is slightly alkaline, which facilitates certain biochemical reactions like oxygenating the blood. The body has numerous corrective measures to keep pH in homeostasis (a stable state).
Effects of Acidity on Health
When the body is too acidic, it may result in weight-related problems, such as diabetes and obesity. This insulin resistance forces excessive insulin to be produced to maintain healthy blood glucose levels.
Excess body acidity is thought to be the first step towards premature aging, the interference with eyesight and memory, the beginning stages of wrinkling, age spots, dysfunctioning hormone systems, and a host of age-related phenomena. Medical studies are confirming that body acidity is implicated in almost all diseases.
A high level of acid in the body causes the body to compensate and try to remove the acid. The lungs and kidneys are usually able to get rid of excess acid in the body. If acidosis puts too much pressure on these organs, it can cause serious complications.
Effects of Alkalinity on Health
The theory is that by eating more alkaline foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, your blood’s pH level achieves a more desirable, less inflammatory state. When your blood is more acidic, you’re at a greater risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer and bone loss.
An alkaline level is said to improve health outcomes. Increased fruits and vegetables in an alkaline diet would improve the K/Na ratio and may benefit bone health, reduce muscle wasting, as well as mitigate other chronic diseases such as hypertension and strokes. However, it’s critical to understand that the pH levels in your blood cannot be changed drastically through diet, including by drinking alkaline water.
Conclusion
The pH balance of substances such as bodily fluids and organs can affect your digestion, hormones, metabolism, and overall body function. The ideal pH of the body is slightly alkaline, which facilitates certain biochemical reactions like oxygenating the blood. The body has numerous corrective measures to keep pH in homeostasis.
Excess body acidity is thought to be the first step towards premature aging, the interference with eyesight and memory, the beginning stages of wrinkling, age spots, dysfunctioning hormone systems, and a host of age-related phenomena. Medical studies are confirming that body acidity is implicated in almost all diseases.
Balancing the pH Level of the Body
The pH level of the body is important for maintaining optimal health. The ideal pH of the body is slightly alkaline, which facilitates certain biochemical reactions like oxygenating the blood. The body has numerous corrective measures to keep pH in homeostasis (a stable state).
How to Balance the pH Level of the Body
Here are some ways to balance the pH level of the body:
- Eat more alkaline foods: Consuming more alkaline foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes can help balance the pH level of the body. These foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help neutralize acid in the body.
- Avoid acidic foods: Processed foods, fried foods, red meat, dairy products, grains, sugar, and alcohol are all acidic foods that can increase the acidity of the body. Limiting the intake of these foods can help balance the pH level of the body.
- Drink plenty of water: Drinking plenty of water can help flush out toxins and acids from the body, helping to balance the pH level.
- Exercise regularly: Exercise can help improve circulation and oxygenation of the blood, which can help balance the pH level of the body.
- Reduce stress: Stress can increase the acidity of the body. Practicing stress-reducing techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing can help balance the pH level of the body.
Conclusion
The pH balance of the body is important for maintaining optimal health. The ideal pH of the body is slightly alkaline, which facilitates certain biochemical reactions like oxygenating the blood.
Consuming more alkaline foods, avoiding acidic foods, drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly, and reducing stress are all ways to balance the pH level of the body. It’s important to note that the pH levels in your blood cannot be changed drastically through diet, including by drinking alkaline water.
Symptoms of an Imbalanced pH Level in the Body
The pH level of the body is important for maintaining optimal health. The ideal pH of the body is slightly alkaline, which facilitates certain biochemical reactions like oxygenating the blood. The body has numerous corrective measures to keep pH in homeostasis (a stable state).
When your body becomes too acidic (as in acidosis) or too alkaline (as in alkalosis), it can lead to symptoms that make it difficult to manage everyday activities. The exact symptoms will depend on the type of pH imbalance but can include:
- Sleepiness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Rapid heartbeat
- Heart palpitations
- Muscle spasms
- Numbness in your face, feet, or hands
- General confusion
- Tremors
- Feeling faint
- Nausea
- Itching or discomfort around the vagina and vulva
- Burning during urination
- Discharge with a fishy-like odor
- Unusual white, green, or gray vaginal discharge
- Pain or burning during sex
It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other health conditions, so it’s best to consult a healthcare professional if you experience any of them.
Testing Your Body’s pH Level
There are several methods to test your body’s pH level, including urine pH test, saliva pH test, and blood pH test.
Urine pH Test
A urine pH test measures the level of acid in urine. To perform this test, you can obtain pH test paper, which measures the acid-alkaline state of any liquid. After you provide a urine sample, dip the pH test strip in the urine stream until both pads on the test strip are sufficiently covered in liquid, then remove.
The color on the dipstick tells the provider the level of acid in your urine. You can also buy pH test strips to test your urine pH at home. It’s recommended to test your urine pH in the morning, first thing after 6 hours of sleep without getting up to urinate.
Saliva pH Test
The normal pH range for saliva is 6.2 to 7.6. To test your saliva pH, fill your mouth with saliva and then swallow or spit it out. Fill your mouth with saliva again and then place a small amount of it on a pH strip.
The strip will change colors based on the acidity/alkalinity of your saliva. You can also buy pH test strips to test your saliva pH at home. It’s recommended to test your saliva pH in the morning, before eating or drinking anything.
Blood pH Test
A blood pH test measures the balance of acids and bases, known as the pH balance, in your blood [https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ph-of-blood]. An arterial blood gas (ABG) test is a blood test that requires a sample from an artery in your body to measure the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood.
The test also checks the balance of acids and bases in your blood. This test is usually performed by a healthcare professional and is not typically done at home.
It’s important to note that these tests can also be performed by healthcare professionals to diagnose various medical conditions. If you have any concerns about your pH level, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional.
