Why Do Our Bodies Handle Acids Better Than Bases?

Our bodies may seem to handle acids better than bases, but foods with acidic content may actually decrease your body's acid level, making it more alkaline. All foods are either considered acidic or alkaline (bases), based on how our body reacts to them.

Definition

• Foods described as acidic cause your body to become acidic, but the food itself may not have a high acid level. The opposite is true for alkaline foods. For example, many consider lemons and limes acidic, but they are actually alkaline foods because they decrease our bodies' acidity.

pH Balance

• All substances are ranked on the pH scale between 0 and 14, with 7 being neutral, 0 as acidic, and 14 as alkaline. For example, stomach acid is a 1, water is 7, and baking soda is 12. The ideal pH level for your body is between 7.35 and 7.45. This means eating foods that balance your body's pH, not eating foods based on whether or not they contain acid.

Misconceptions

• Acidic foods are not necessarily healthier than bases. According to Advanced Health Plan, "acidity and alkalinity are opposites and one is not intrinsically better than the other. This misconception has developed because the North American diet is excessively acidic, which does result in health problems."

Diet and Exercise

• Most diets are high in acidic foods, and while our bodies' need acidic foods, a highly acidic body can lead to many diseases. Exercising creates acid in your body, so it is important to balance your diet with alkaline-forming foods like vegetables, grapefruit, and garlic to maintain balance.

Expert Insight

• According to Connective Tissue Disorder, "some foods, such as citrus fruits, have an acid pH before they are consumed but they usually leave an alkaline residue in the body after they have been metabolized." Rather than focusing on eating acidic foods, seek out foods that are known to be alkaline forming.