The pH Balance Act: Understanding Alkaline and Acidic Effects on the Human Body
The concept of pH balance —the measure of how acidic or alkaline (basic) a substance is—is crucial for understanding human health. The body constantly strives to maintain a narrow, slightly alkaline blood pH range of about 7.35 to 7.45 . Deviations from this optimal range can affect overall well-being, leading many to explore the potential benefits of shifting their dietary intake toward more alkaline foods. What is pH? pH stands for "potential of hydrogen," and it is measured on a scale from 0 to 14 . Acidic substances have a pH below 7.0 (e.g., lemon juice, vinegar). Neutral substances have a pH of exactly 7.0 (pure water). Alkaline (or basic) substances have a pH above 7.0 (e.g., baking soda, sea water). While the body has powerful systems (like the lungs and kidneys) to buffer and maintain blood pH homeostasis, the food we eat can influence the pH of our urine and, according to some theories, impact the overall acid load the body must process. The Alkaline-Acidic Deba...