Let’s go back to 5th grade chemistry for a second; don’t get scared, it will only be for a moment. Remember that lesson about acids and bases? In a nutshell, you’re not supposed to mix the compounds, unless you don’t mind the mixer erupting all over your face. Having too much of one compound and not enough of the other can also have a negative effect due to the chemical imbalance. Take that chemistry lesson to heart because it also applies to the human body.
The body’s natural pH level, or potential hydrogen, refers to the acid-base level in your blood. We all have a natural pH scale ranging from 0-14, with seven being neutral; anything below is acidic, and anything higher is alkaline.
Too much acid in the body can cause breakouts on the skin, body odor, bad breath, digestive trouble, and even life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and more. Excess base (alkali) can cause you to suffer from uncontrollable hand tremors, prolonged muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, and even blackouts. Like everything else in the universe, balance is key, and maintaining a neutral pH or slightly alkaline pH is best for your overall health.
How To Balance You Body’s Natural pH Level
As a direct result of our society’s dependence to processed food, most of our bodies are acidic rather than alkaline. Convenience has taken its negative toll on our senses and bodily systems. Fast and processed foods lack the necessary nutrients needed to maintain a healthy pH balance. If you’re curious about your current pH balance, we highly recommend you purchase a pH test kit and test your urine at home. Testing your urine will give you a pretty good idea of where you stand in the pH scale. If it turns out your body is too acidic, here are some steps you can take to normalize and maintain your pH level:
Consume More “Natural” Fruits And Vegetables
Most, if not all fruits and vegetables are naturally alkaline, so long as they’re not processed or genetically modified in any way. It is ideal to maintain a ratio of 80% fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains, and 20% whatever else you’d like to eat. Steer clear of too much meat, dairy, coffee, refined grains & sugars, bleached flour, iodized salt, and processed foods, as these are the most acid-forming foods out there. Eat more chlorophyll-packed greens such as kale, lettuce, broccoli, and turnip greens, and focus on low glycemic fruits such as apples, berries, peaches, pears, and cantaloupe. These foods are rich in oxygen, which will help enrich your cells.
Start Your Day With Warm Lemon Water
A tall glass of lemon or lime infused water is a great way to start your day. Consuming this before any other food helps to propel the body into an alkaline state. Help the body even more by squeezing half a lemon in a glass of warm water to activate the production of enzymes, which encourage healthy digestion.
Exercise
Regular exercise is not only a great way to stay physically fit, but it also helps increase your pH levels by removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from your blood. Carbon dioxide is a naturally acidic compound that is released into your blood from other cells, and the lungs absorb it from the blood. While you’re working up a sweat doing various compound movements, your lungs are hard at work exhaling carbon dioxide, thus increasing your natural pH level. Sweating alone is a great way to assist the body in eliminating excess salt, which accumulates over time. Great exercises can include walking, swimming, interval training, weight lifting (with light weights), yoga, Pilates, and biking.
Don’t Stress
It’s common to experience emotional, physical, or mental shifts in our fast-paced day-to-day life, but an excess amount of stress hormones in the body is considered unhealthy. Whenever you’re experiencing high levels of stress, try to remove yourself from the stressful situation or the state of mind that is causing you to stress out. Be still, calm your nerves, and take deep breaths. Beneficial techniques to reduce stress levels include meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, exercise, floatation therapy, massage therapy, or breathing exercises.
Avoid Direct Contact With Chemicals And Smoke
Our cells and enzymes are extremely sensitive to acidic compounds, which can enter the body through the nostrils, mouth, and even open pores. People frequently, if not daily, come in contact with common chemicals that are abundant in cigarette smoke and household cleaning products. The acid in these chemicals can overload the circulatory, respiratory, and immune systems, and they can weaken the organs with which they come in contact. Opt for natural cleaning products, which you can make by clicking here, to clean your home, and refrain from smoking or avoid people who smoke cigarettes.
Get Plenty of Sleep
This goes without saying, but let us reiterate that a good night’s sleep is vital in allowing your cells time to recharge and regain their strength. Healthy sleeping habits can help you function optimally throughout the day. The better your cells are able to perform, the more likely they are able to rid themselves of unwanted acids and toxins. If you have difficulty falling asleep, click here for tips to improve your sleeping habits.
Just Breathe
It’s not hard to believe that breathing can also help you balance your body’s pH level. The problem is most of us aren’t taught how to breathe properly. Taking constant short breaths gives the body insufficient amounts of oxygen. Long controlled inhales and exhales, on the other hand, help your cells absorb more oxygen while releasing a higher amount of carbon dioxide. Consider performing a breathing exercise that involves inhaling for four seconds, holding your breath for seven seconds, and exhaling for eight seconds. Take the time to perform healthy breathing exercises to help replenish your cells and get rid of unwanted gas in the lungs.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
