What's On Your Plate? part 4: Food Combination

The body is constantly trying to maintain balance and blood pH is always very important in maintaining good health. Depending on how food is combined the body can become to acidic or too alkaline. "As food is digested, absorbed and metabolized, foods release either acid of alkaline compounds into the blood. What's tricky is that the pH a food produces in the body is not always what you expected. An orange, for example, produces alkaline waste. Alkaline-producing foods includes fruits, vegetables, roots and nuts. Acid producing foods includes fish, meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, milk and grains." "Researchers from the university of California San Francisco have found that too much salt (sodium chloride) and not enough potassium are major factors that upset the acid/alkaline balance in the body. Sodium chloride (table salt) is acid-producing, while potassium has an alkaline effect. This provides good reason to follow the current diet recommendations to consume less salt and more potassium-rich foods like fruits and vegetables" (Environmental nutrition, 2007).
If the body is too acidic disease will thrive but being more on the alkaline side tends to promote good health. "The acidic environment may contribute to osteoporosis, high blood pressure and kidney troubles, among other conditions" (Environmental Nutrition, 2007). There is a need in man's quest for good health to pay close attention to the combining of food; and it is not difficult. "Improving the acid/alkaline balance of your diet can be as simple as the following three steps: 1) Choose whole, fresh food over packaged processed foods. 2) Eat more fresh fruits. vegetables and nuts every day. 3) Consume less salt" (Environmental Nutrition, 2007).

Reference: Ask EN, (2007). Acid vs alkaline: 3 steps to a better balance. Environmental Nutrition, 30 (8), 7-7. Retrieved June 21, 2010, from Health Source-/Consumer Edition database.