Many foods we consume produce an acid or alkaline base known as bicarbonate that is released into the bloodstream after being digested, absorbed, and metabolized. Grains, fish, meat, poultry, shellfish, cheese, milk, and salt release acid. Too many of these foods can increase acidity which depletes valuable minerals. Highly acidic intake over time may result in heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or bone, joint, and muscle weakness. Cultures that do not have access to many fruits and vegetables have a very highly acidic diet. Eskimos eat large amounts of seal meat and fish. They eat a few grains many times resulting in an acidic diet. Although generally heart healthy, this group suffers from premature bone breakdown leading to the worst longevity statistics in North America. Okinawa has more people who live to be one hundred years of age. This is longer than anywhere else in the world. Meat, rice, soy, and seafood are staples of their diet and very acidic, but there are also many different fruits and vegetables abundant in antioxidants and minerals that reduce acidity. Scientific evidence exists that supports that proper acid base balance promotes health and longevity.
The problem generally is not any one certain food, but the effect of a highly acidic diet over many decades. Reducing the impact of an acidic diet can be accomplished by decreasing the serving sizes of acidic foods while increasing greens and vegetables in meals. This should reduce calories and acidic impact. Acidic foods include meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, grains, and alcohol. Foods that are neutral include natural fats, starches, and sugars. Foods such as fruit, nuts, legumes, and vegetables are considered alkaline. Foods can be classified as mildly to highly acidic or alkaline. The most highly acidic foods include the following: alcohol, coffee, fruit juice, cocoa, honey, jam, jelly, mustard, miso, rice syrup, vinegar, yeast, dried fruit, beef, chicken, eggs, farmed fish, pork, shellfish, white rice, cheese, dairy, artificial sweeteners, syrup, and mushroom. Highly alkaline foods have a pH of 9.5 including water, green drinks, salt, avocado, broccoli, cabbage, celery, cucumber, endive, garlic, kale, parsley, sprouts, spinach, tomato, and soy nuts. This is a brief description of acid base balance and the effects of foods consumed. For excellent nutrition software that develops hundreds of healthy meals in seconds, please visit tpnperfectbodies.com.