What are acidic or acidifying foods? Effects on health
In feeding, the indicator is used as pH of food, in order to know its acid content, which tends to vary between 0 and 14. In this way, any food or drink that has a pH value less than 7 is considered acidic or acidifying. In fact, the pH value is used in Chemistry as a measure of degree of acidity or alkalinity of an element, which is normally evaluated in its liquid state.
But there is not only a pH of the food. We also have our own pH: for example, we can mention the pH of the skin, or the pH of the blood (undoubtedly one of the most known is the pH of the urine, mainly because it is one of the basic parameters that take into account in routine blood tests).
What is an acidic or acidifying food and what does it consist of?
As with alkaline foods, the fact that a certain food is acidifying or alkalizing is determined by its mineral content, and especially how they alter the pH of our body.
In fact, while our body has a neutral pH, which ranges between 7.35 and 7.45, there are certain minerals that lower the pH of our body (that is, they are acidifying), and others that increase it (ie, they are alkalizing).
Effects of acidic foods on the body
The truth is that alkalizing foods can not be missing in our daily diet, mainly because not only the consumption of acidic foods tend to reduce the average pH of the body. Also other habits such as overeating, and even healthy habits such as physical activity.
However, if our diet were only acidifying, and also unbalanced by a low intake of alkalizing foods, a metabolic acidosis would appear, which influences the appearance of premature aging.
Therefore, we must always keep in mind that there are no good or bad foods, because, like everything, the main key is that there is a balance between alkalizing and acidifying foods in our diet, since both groups are very important for the proper functioning of Our organism.
Image | BPheonix This article is published for informational purposes only. You can not and should not replace the consultation with a Nutritionist. We advise you to consult your trusted Nutritionist.