In chemistry, pH (which stands for “power of hydrogen”) is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. In practical terms, the pH scale provides a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. Lower pH means more acidity, higher pH means higher alkalinity. Coffee, for example, has a pH of around 5… making it about 100 times more acidic than water. Wine has a pH between 3 and 4. Water has a pH of 7, and blood has a pH of 7.4.

The pH of the food we eat matters because it can affect the pH of our bodies. Some foods—even a few of those considered acidic—produce alkalinity in the body. Other foods, however, increase acidity in the body. Overly acidic diets in the United States have led to a number of health issues. When there is too much acid in the body, it can lead to numerous health problems such as:

• inflammation
• dry skin
• ulcers
• stomach/esophageal cancers
• bleeding gums
• brittle nails
• joint pain
• energy loss
• mood problems
• yeast infections
• kidney and liver problems

Excess acidity in the body is referred to as “acidosis”. Acidosis leads to problems like those listed above, and more. Some doctors believe there is a strong link between acidosis and many common diseases.

Diets that lead to acid problems are those high in meats, refined carbs, sugars, alcohol, coffee, and sodas. In other words, the typical “American diet” tends to be highly acidic without intervention. The good news is that you can change this for yourself by choosing to eat a diet that promotes alkalinity. An alkaline promoting diet would include things like leafy greens and other vegetables, and would eliminate or reduce meats and other acid-promoting foods.

If you suffer from conditions related to excess acidity, it isn’t too late to change. By changing your diet and your way of life, you can experience a healthier and happier version of you starting now. All you have to do is make the choice, and make the change.