Ouch Acidity

Not a lot of people are aware that it is important to maintain the acid-alkaline balance because it hugely affects the overall health. However, not everybody knows what the proper pH level balance should be. pH is actually a measure of acidity of the body fluid depending on the amounts of positively charged or acid forming ions and negative charged or alkaline forming ions present in the fluid. A normal pH ranges from 0 to 14 and 7.0 is considered to be neutral.
Experts say that a healthy person should have a pH of 7.35 or 7.45. Even though this is just a little bit leaning toward the acidic side a person whose pH value is either higher or lower than this one is considered to be quite vulnerable to various ailments and diseases. This is the reason why a lot of people wonder what to do when their pH level is a little below the normal pH value.
Acidity in human body

A person's body is considered to be acidic if his or her pH value is just a little bit lower than the normal pH value. A person's pH level will rise or fall because of various reasons like stress or the foods a person consumes. Not a lot of people know that the blood and other digestive juices in the body are acidic but all the other internal fluids should be neutral. However, when these fluids become acidic they can affect the proper functioning of certain body parts. In cases when these fluids become acidic the immune system will become weaker.

Acidity in human body: symptoms

Too much acid in the body allows various bacteria and viruses to thrive and then they will cause certain acidity symptoms like weakness, heartburn, illness, chest pain and even inflammation and pain in certain organs. When there is too much acid the body will not normally absorb the nutrients and then the cells will not have enough energy for production and repairs. That is why a person will become more prone to various diseases and disorders like digestive disorders, common cold, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, kidney and bladder infections and immune deficiency.
Acidity in human body: preventive measures
Diet is one of the main reasons for too much acid in the body and the best way to prevent that from happening is to limit the intake of acid rich foods. A person should get to know which foods are acidic in order to avoid eating them. A person who suffers from acidity should consume 60% of alkaline foods and 40% of foods acidic in nature.

Causes Of Acidity

• Excessive smoking
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Gastro duodenal (peptic) ulcer
• Hyper secretion of hydrochloric acid
• Reflux of gastric acid
• Not having meals on time
• Eating fried and spicy food on a regular basis
• Problems in the functioning of digestive system
• Being on an empty stomach for a long time or skipping breakfast
• Eating foods rich in fats, like chocolates
• Pregnancy
• Aging
• Obesity
• Excessive exposure to sun and heat
• Inappropriate food habits
• Negative emotions
• Weakness of the valves
Symptoms Of Acidity

• Burning sensation or pain in the stomach, 1-4 hours after a meal
• Chest pain
• Prolonged heartburn
• Inflammation in chest
• Feeling hungry frequently
• Constant pain in the upper abdomen
• Belching
• Nausea
• Bitter taste in mouth
• Loss of appetite
• Respiratory problems
• Vomiting
• Coughing
• Gastro-esophageal reflux
• Voice change and formation of ulcer in esophagus (tube connecting mouth and stomach)
• Pain during muscular contractions
• Pain in ears
5 best foods for acidity

Apples and bananas
Amongst fruits, apples and bananas are safe to be consumed and generally do not cause acidity. If you’re in the mood for juice, apple juice is a good option.
Vegetables like cabbage, beans and peas
These vegetables are healthy and do not cause acidity. If you enjoy potato, try baked potato and avoid deep-fried preparations.
Egg white, chicken and fish
Lean white meats and egg white are perfect for acidity-prone individuals.
Low fat cheese
Heavy foods are a no-no for those prone to acidity. So try and go for low-fat dairy items like low-fat cheese or milk.
Whole grains
Avoid refined carbs like white rice and maida and instead opt for whole grains like wheat and brown rice to ward off acidity.

5 worst foods for acidity

Spicy food
This is a no-brainer. Anyone prone to acidity knows what a spicy sabzi or a stray chilli can do to you. In general, it’s best to avoid overly spicy food and go in for something a little milder.
Citrus foods
Bad news for orange lovers! Citrus foods are one of the worst triggers of acidity and if you think you might be prone to it, stay away from citrus fruits, as well as juices.
Coffee
For those with a chronic acidity problem, it’s best to cut out coffee from your diet. Instead try green tea
Fried foods and fatty foods
Biscuits high in fat, or fried snacks have to be banished from the diets of all those prone to acidity. These are instant triggers and can cause days of discomfort.
Alcohol, especially wine
Although wine recommended as one of the healthier alcohols, it’s a no-no for the acidity prone. The tannins in the wine can cause acidity and is best avoided.

So decide what you should eat and enjoy life. Be cool.

See you tomorrow. Until then, take care. Bye

Meena