What is deacidification?
Have you ever taken a big bite of a lemon? Sour, isn't it? A lemon may taste sour, but it is actually very alkaline. The word 'acidification' might sound familiar to you. However, 'acidification' means something completely different from a sour taste in your mouth. We are talking about the acidification of the body. Unfortunately, this has far more unpleasant consequences than just a sour face. The good news: you can do something about it, namely deacidification! After reading this blog, you'll know all the 'ins and outs' of acidification and can start deacidifying your body.
What exactly is acidification?
When we are born healthy, we consist of 70% water and 30% solid structures, including minerals and trace elements. As we age, these amounts decrease in our bodies. In their place, primarily acidic waste products accumulate. These waste products originate from an unhealthy lifestyle, such as acidic food, stress, air pollution, medication use, and excessive exercise. Your body can eliminate many of these waste products through normal excretory organs, such as your kidneys and skin. But not all of them! Acid residues remain, which your body stores in the joints, bones, and tissues. Furthermore, essential enzyme activities cannot occur if the body is too acidic.
A chemistry lesson!
To explain how to counteract acidification, we'll first give a (small) chemistry lesson. Perhaps you've heard of the terms 'acidic' and 'alkaline'? An 'acid' is a chemical term that describes the property of a substance. Examples of acidic waste products are uric acids, tannic acids, and lactic acids. 'Alkaline' is the opposite of acidic. Examples of alkaline substances are sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate. We use the pH value to indicate whether a liquid is acidic or alkaline. Acidic liquids have a pH value between 0 and 7. The lower the pH value, the more acidic the liquid. Alkaline liquids have a pH value between 7 and 14. The higher the pH value, the more alkaline the liquid. A pH value of 7 is considered pH neutral.
Acid-base balance
A good acid-base balance in the body is fundamental to good health. To maintain the body's optimal acid-base balance, acidic waste products must be eliminated. The body does this by excreting them through the kidneys, lungs, and skin. Additionally, the body neutralises acid residues using our body's natural substance, sodium bicarbonate. However, as we age, less sodium bicarbonate is present in our bodies. As a result, acids have the opportunity to accumulate. Deacidification is then the solution!
Deacidifying the body
It's high time to support your body in deacidifying! Your body will always produce acidic waste products, but you can ensure this doesn't turn into an accumulation of acidic waste. You can help deacidify your body by changing your diet and lifestyle. Limit the consumption of acidic food and drinks, such as those containing animal proteins, sugars, carbonated drinks, alcohol, and coffee. Also, try to avoid factors that strongly acidify the body, such as stress, smoking, medications, excessive muscle strain, and harmful radiation as much as possible.
Author: Nicole Langedijk
