Article: pH Balance - Acidic and Alkaline Foods

pH Balance - Acidic and Alkaline Information
by: Dr. Janet Starr Hull, Ph.D., CN
http://www.sweetpoison.com/ph-balance.html

When the body is too acidic as a result of acid forming foods, high fat, mucus forming foods, and toxic food residues, disease and infections proliferate. This is especially true in cases of arthritis and rheumatic situations.

The human body should be slightly alkaline in order to build an alkaline reserve for acid-forming conditions such as stress, lack of exercise, or poor dietary habits.

Acid-forming examples:

Meats
fish
poultry
eggs
most dairy (Milk is approximately neutral in acid/alkaline but high in mucus-forming attributes such as fat.)
most grains and legumes (Millet and roasted buckwheat are slightly alkalizing. Soy and lima beans are extremely alkalizing.)
refined sugars
drugs
food chemicals

Alkaline-producing examples:

Fruits
Vegetables
Sprouts
Cereal grasses
Herbs

The acid and alkaline balance can be changed by simple practices such as:

Soak mildly acid-forming foods such as whole grains and legumes before cooking them, starting the sprouting process, which is alkalizing.
Chew thoroughly the complex carbohydrates as grains, vegetables, and legumes in order to mix them with salvia, a very alkaline fluid that begins the digestive process.
Do not drink while eating, as this stops the digestive process from beginning within the mouth.

The correct ratio of acid and alkaline forming foods is difficult to know since the balance is altered by chewing, food preparation, individual lifestyle, genetics, exercise, and mental outlook. However, those prone to infections, viruses, excess mucus problems and other toxic acidic conditions need to increase their alkaline diet.