The Best Way to Increase Alkaline

The pH level in a human’s body measures how acidic or alkaline it is. pH, or potential of hydrogen, is important because it shows whether or not a body has an acidic environment, which can be conducive to bacteria and viruses. Increasing alkaline is a simple way to ward off not only fatigue, dry skin and obesity, but also cancer, cardiovascular disease and nervous system damage.

Acid and Alkaline

• The pH scale is used to measure the acidic or alkaline level in a liquid. The scale ranges from 0, which is the most acidic, to 14, which is the most alkaline, with 7 being completely neutral. For example, vinegar and battery acid would have pH values close to 0, making them acidic. Ammonia and baking soda, however, land close to 14, making them alkaline. Water has a pH value of 7 because it is neutral.

pH and Saliva

• In order to establish whether your body is acidic or alkaline, you can do an easy test with pH paper. pH paper can be purchased from health food stores or pharmacies. Next, wait at least 2 hours after you have eaten, fill your mouth with saliva and swallow. Repeat, and on the third time, put some saliva on the pH paper. The paper should turn blue, indicating your saliva is slightly alkaline. If it turns any other color, your saliva may be too acidic and it might be a good idea to look for ways to increase your alkaline level.

Eating Alkaline Foods

• The easiest way to increase alkaline levels is to eat mostly alkaline foods. To do this, eat 20 percent acidic foods and 80 percent alkaline foods, minimizing the strongly acidic foods, such as meat, fish, strong cheese and eggs. Acid-producing foods that should be minimized include bread, crackers, honey, oatmeal, peanut butter and sugar.

  Acid-producing foods should be replaced with alkaline foods. The more alkaline the food is, the faster it will replenish your body’s alkaline levels. Foods that will help you increase your alkaline levels include cucumbers, avocado, carrots, celery, cabbage, banana, pear, cauliflower and apple. As you can see, the general rule of thumb is to get rid of as many meats, oils and sugars as possible and replace them with fresh fruit and vegetables.

Increase Alkaline Minerals

• The main alkaline minerals in the human body are magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium. These four minerals all balance and complement each other. For example, magnesium is needed to relax a muscle, while calcium is needed to contract it. Cells maintain a balance of potassium and sodium, but need magnesium in order to be pumped around your body. Since these four minerals work together, when there is a problem with one, it affects the entire body.

  Many people in today’s world consume a high amount of calcium and sodium and not enough magnesium and potassium, making their bodies imbalanced and deficient. Nutritional supplements can be easily found at any health food store or drug store and these will help restore the balance of your alkaline minerals.