pH factor- maintaining the healthy balance

The human body has self-healing powers. All we have to do is to support its activity with the right   nutrients. A basic rule to achieve and maintain pH balance is to eat 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acid forming foods.

If your pH test suggests that your body is acidic switch over to alkaline forming food.

1. Fresh fruits like watermelon, mangoes, apples, guava, pears, vegetable like potatoes, dudhi, turi, etc.
2. Honey, dates, corn, millets, mushrooms, raisins and curds also have an alkaline effect.
3. Avoid acid forming foods like alcohol, coffee, legumes, lentils, cornstarch, white flour, non vegetarian foods, fried food, dried coconut, cheese, cakes, pastries, pasta, soft drinks, sugar, vinegar, pickles, papads, etc.
4. Certain foods leave an acidic residue. For e.g., refined foods (sugar and maida), meat, grains (including wheat, rye, oats and barley), nuts, seeds, pulses and eggs. Except for almonds, all nuts are acid-forming.
5. Some foods leave an alkaline residue. They contain higher levels of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. Such foods reduce the acidity and help in maintaining the alkaline balance in the blood. Citrus fruits like oranges, sweet lime, grapefruits, etc are acidic in nature but become alkaline when digested and help restore the pH balance. However, citrus juices when canned and bottled become acid forming. Most fruits except plums are alkaline in nature.
6. Vegetables too are of alkaline descent, especially root vegetables like yam, beetroot, carrots, sweet potatoes and radish. The best way of alkalizing the blood is with fruits and vegetable juices.