Balance Your Body's pH to Get Healthier

To explain the pH balance within your body and how diet might affect it, think of your metabolism as fire. Both your metabolism and fire require a chemical reaction to break down solid mass. So when you accidentally overcook your marshmallow for your s'more, or you toss your ex-boyfriend's t-shirt into a ceremonial fire (anyone else? Nope, just me?), the solid mass is broken down into ash (such a waste of a marshmallow, and a relationship, am I right ladies?). When you eat food, it also leaves residue like ash, known as metabolic waste. This waste can either be acidic, alkaline, or neutral, which can affect the rest of your health.

Now to get technical (because we're science-y here), "pH" is a trendy term on water bottles and "personal wash" labels, but it's simple a measurement of how acidic or alkaline something is.

Acidic: 0.0–6.9

Neutral: 7.0

Alkaline (or "basic" like your PSL): 7.1–14.0

Studies show that limiting your intake of acidic foods and eating more alkaline foods might be able to solve anything from digestive issues to hormone imbalances, and can even help prevent kidney stones, chronic pain, and acid reflux. Plus, when your body’s pH levels are balanced, it improves your ability to absorb vitamins and minerals, can help you maintain a healthy weight, gives you more energy, and improves your mood.

Your body’s pH levels can be affected by everything from stress management, to air pollution, to the beauty products you use, so you might be more chemically unbalanced than you realize. You can get an idea of your body's pH levels by talking to your doctor, trying at-home testing with strips, or taking this online quiz.

However, the goal with pH level and overall life is always balance, and your body knows how to achieve it on its own. If you ask me, the "alkaline diet" is just another name for eating the foods that best nourish your body, and limiting the ones that don't. Be intuitive with identifying any symptoms in the body, and try limiting or removing some acidic foods to help your body heal itself.

FOODS HIGH IN ACIDITY:

• processed foods

• grains

• sugar

• dairy products

• meats and eggs

• caffeinated drinks

• alcohol

• sweetened beverages

• high-protein supplements

• canned or glazed fruits

ALKALIZING FOODS:

• leafy greens (like spinach, kale, arugula, parsley, and micro-greens)

• cruciferous vegetables (like cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts)

• citrus fruits (like lemons, oranges, grapefruit, and limes)

• nuts (like almonds, walnuts, and cashews)

• natural spices (like onion, ginger, and garlic)

• seaweed

• root vegetables (like sweet potatoes, carrots, and beets)

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