Are you prone to cramps, joint pain or heartburn? Perhaps these are the signals of an acid-base imbalance. This metabolic balance is very important for the health of your bones and organs and is influenced by our diet.

When the pH (indicator of acidity) is around 7.3 – 7.4, the body is in perfect balance and all of the body’s systems are functioning properly. When this pH decreases, the body becomes acidic, this is called acidosis. An acidity body expends a lot of energy and minerals to restore balance, a matter of survival.

Acidosis weakens the body
To maintain its pH within very narrow limits, the body is equipped with very efficient regulatory systems, the buffer systems. When the acidity is too high, they are overworked and the body ends up using minerals in the muscles and tendons to restore balance. If the imbalance persists, it will use the minerals stored in the bones.

Severe fatigue, heartburn, chronic joint pain, tendonitis and cramps, muscle palpitations or tremors are symptoms of an overly acidic body. In the long term, the body becomes demineralized: the bones are weakened and brittle, the muscles weakened, blood pressure may increase, the immune system may be less efficient and fatigue can set in.

1. Avoid processed foods
   Quick and convenient, ready meals, sauces or industrial cookies can be tempting, but they are loaded with preservatives and texturizers that acidify the body. Homemade food is much better for your palate, your health and your figure. A homemade invisible apple cake, an organic spinach salmon roll, if you look, isn’t it that complicated?
2. Fill up on fiber
   To reduce acidity, the body needs fiber. They are present in spices, oilseeds but also in fruits and vegetables. Oat or flax seeds are also an interesting source. For a flaxseed infusion: boil a spoonful of seeds in ¼ liter of water for two to three minutes and then drink. An infusion to adopt for its repairing effect on the tissues.
3. Drink plenty of infusions
   Replace black tea with green or white teas which are much less acidic. Choose good quality herbal teas, especially remineralizing plants such as nettle, horsetail, flowery oats or raspberries and even bamboo, which is good for the joints.
4. Reduce white flours
   Like white sugar and salt, white flours are refined flours that have undergone cleaning and bleaching processes that cause them to lose their nutrients. Refined foods are of little nutritional value, they are low in fiber and nutrients while they are high in energy.
5. Eat raw vegetables
   Choose whole grains rather than refined ones, but especially give pride of place to vegetables because whole grains contain phytic acid, a molecule that blocks the availability of certain micronutrients (for the growth of the plant). It is therefore necessary to seek them in raw plants which are full of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, antioxidants, dietary fibers, chlorophyll, oxygen and natural enzymes, nutrients that allow to eliminate the waste accumulated in the body, protect our immune system and keep away from many diseases.
6. Cut down on animal protein
   Reduce your consumption of meat and fish, especially red and processed meats such as beef and deli meats suspected of being probably carcinogenic by the WHO, but also farmed fish whose diets are of poor quality. Otherwise, bet especially on organic meat and fish! Several times a week, cook up vegetarian meals, especially in the evening because animal proteins are more difficult to digest (your sleep will only be better). Excess meat results in high levels of uric, phosphoric and sulfuric acids, strong acids that are difficult to remove. Prefer legumes.
7. Sport and good sleep
   A good acid-base balance is a real well-being asset. Consider relaxing by taking time for yourself, doing yoga, or practicing meditation. Take care of the quality of your sleep and practice regular physical activity.

Foods to Avoid: Excess meat, refined grains, alcohol, oranges and plums, overripe bananas, prunes, artichoke, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, leeks, cream fresh, cow’s milk, spices, condiments, pastries, sugar.