Most of us never even think about the pH level of our body. But it is time to give it some thought.
A proper and well-balanced pH is crucial to your overall health. Diseases and disorders cannot take root in a body whose pH is in balance.
The pH level is quantified on a scale of zero to 14. A lower pH means your body is more acidic, while a higher pH means your body is more alkaline. Most people with an imbalance tend to have an acidic pH.
In fact, it is an imbalance of acidity and alkalinity that allows unhealthy organisms to flourish, damages healthy tissues and organs, and lowers your immunity. The effects of a poor pH level can lead to allergies, asthma, congestion, fatigue, frequent colds, headaches, inflammation, joint and muscle pain, skin problems, ulcers and weight gain.
An imbalanced pH level can occur due to alcohol and drug use, overuse of antibiotics, an unhealthy diet, chronic stress, lack of exercise, residing in heavily polluted areas, shallow breathing and exposure to chemicals and radiation from household products.
You can easily balance your pH level and correct the overly acidic environment in your body by using simple home remedies and lifestyle changes.
Here are the top 10 home remedies to fix an acidic body.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
To fix your acidic body and ensure a balanced pH level, apple cider vinegar is very effective.
Although it is acidic in nature, apple cider vinegar helps alkalize your body when it has become too acidic. Plus, it makes it harder for bad bacteria to take hold and kills bacteria, viruses and protozoa, making way for good bacteria to flourish in your body.
- Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar into a glass of lukewarm water.
- Mix in a little honey to improve the taste as well to enhance the health benefits.
- Drink 1 to 2 glasses of this health tonic daily.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda is highly alkaline in nature, and it can help balance your body’s pH level. Also, it works as a natural antacid to neutralize stomach acid and provide relief from related discomforts.
- Mix together ½ teaspoon of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
- Add 1 cup of water to it and drink it immediately in one sitting.
- Do it once or twice daily.
Note: If you have high blood pressure, do not consume baking soda without consulting your doctor.
3. Lemon Water
To fix an acidic pH level and keep your body alkaline, start your day with warm lemon water.
Although lemon is an acidic fruit, when the juice is metabolized it has an alkalizing effect on the body. This means lemon clears the body of excess acids and creates an alkaline-forming state.
- Mix the juice of half of an organic lemon into a glass of lukewarm water.
- Add 2 teaspoons of raw honey and mix thoroughly.
- Drink this daily, first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, to flush your system.
4. Green Leafy Vegetables
Increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat – especially raw, green veggies – will help maintain a balanced pH level in your body. Green vegetables are some of the most alkalizing foods you can find.
It is always best to eat these foods in their raw form to obtain their highest nutritional values.
Consume plenty of green vegetables like kale, broccoli, cucumbers, spinach, arugula, collards, green peppers, chard, lettuce, zucchini, artichokes, celery and green asparagus.
You can include these green veggies in your salad. Another option is to blend the alkalizing vegetables of your choice into a healthy, green smoothie and drink it with breakfast.
Some other highly alkaline foods include all melons, figs, most ripe fruits, kelp, watercress, wheatgrass and most herbal teas.
5. Avoid Highly Acidic Diet
Your regular diet greatly impacts your body’s acidic or alkaline level. Consume less acid-forming foods to follow a low acid diet.
Eliminate these highly acidic foods from your diet:
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- Soda
- Energy drinks
- White flour
- Red meat
- Processed meats
- Refined sugar
- Milk and dairy products
6. Organic Foods
Even though organic foods are a bit expensive and less readily available than their counterparts, you must include more organic foods in your diet.
Organic foods are free of genetically modified organisms (GMO-free) and help you stay clear of pesticides, chemicals and other contaminants that can make your body’s pH level more acidic.
To fix an acidic body, invest in organic goods. If possible, start your own kitchen garden. Gardening will give you organic produce to eat as well as help your mind and body stay healthy.
7. Digestive Enzymes
To start improving your body’s pH level and reduce the high acidic content of your stomach, digestive enzymes are very helpful.
Adding these enzymes to your meals helps support more efficient digestion and synthesis of your food, which means your body is better able to make use of all the nutrients in the food.
Digestive enzymes are available from pharmacies and health food stores. Always consult your doctor for the correct dosage and how you should take them.
8. Stay Hydrated
A well-hydrated body helps keep excess acid moving through your system. Also, proper water intake aids the elimination of toxins and other waste products through the digestive tract.
Drink high quality, purified water. The amount of water you should drink depends on a number of factors such as your weight, activity level and climatic conditions. Divide your weight in half and drink that amount in ounces of water per day. For example, if you weigh 100 pounds, you should drink 50 ounces of water daily.
Also, eat fruits and vegetables that have high water content, such as watermelon, cucumbers, celery and so on.
9. Intermittent Fasting
You can also try fasting or intermittent fasting to attain a balanced pH level.
Intermittent fasting basically means you eat normally for five days and severely restrict your calories on the other two days of the week. The recommended calorie restriction for those two days is 600 calories for men and 500 for women.
This type of fasting improves your overall gut health and can reverse low stomach acid. Also, fasting gives your body time to recover and heal from being overly acidic.
Plus, it helps detoxify your body and lose weight, which in turn will ward off several diseases and help you live a longer and healthier life.
So, intermittent fasting is another great way to help balance out stomach acid and your body’s pH level.
10. Chew Your Food Properly
Though not a remedy, this lifestyle tip goes a long way toward fixing an acidic body.
Always chew your food thoroughly, instead of just gulping it down. Chewing the food properly helps correct low stomach acid, and thus helps balance the pH level in your stomach.
Chew your food 25 to 30 times before swallowing. Larger pieces of food are difficult to break down. Hence, the body produces more stomach acid to help digest the food. This, in turn, contributes to higher acid level in the body. Apart from proper chewing, eat smaller meals a few times a day.
