For the sour ones… and other people

ACIDITY AND ALKALINITY
As human beings, we are chemistry, and everything depends on the level and ratio of individual elements in our body - from how we feel and look, to how our body copes with physical and psychological challenges, to our long-term health.

We are all essentially water. And the aquatic environment can have acidic or alkaline properties, which are measured on the pH scale (potential hydrogen) - i.e., the ratio between positively charged ions (acidic) and negatively charged ions (alkaline). If the scale of this ratio is from 1.0 to 6.9, the environment is acidic; if it reads 7.0, it is neutral; and from 7.1 to 14, it is alkaline. Why is this important? Because pH levels affect the body and are often an indicator of health or disease. And the food we feed our bodies directly influences this. Our menu too often includes predominantly highly acidic foods - refined sugar, grains, flour, meat, dairy products, coffee, alcohol. It is believed that the correct ratio should be 70:30 in favor of alkaline foods - these are most fruits and vegetables, some nuts, and neutral fats (cold-pressed from avocado, hemp, olive oil).

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Because excessively low pH leads to overproduction of acids in the stomach, which can be one of the reasons for the appearance of most modern diseases such as diabetes, obesity, gastritis, ulcers, depression, etc. And raw fruits and vegetables are products with an alkaline reaction and a high content of highly reactive substances that bind with stomach acid, are neutralized, and are eliminated from the body. If the imbalance is not regulated, the body copes with the situation by taking minerals (such as calcium and magnesium) from bones and various organs - a reserve that decreases over time, and the resulting deficiency can seriously worsen health.

HOW CAN WE IMPROVE THE SITUATION?
It has long been clear to us - fast food, sugar, white flour, and carbonated drinks should be at most an exception in our diet. We rely on real, clean food - and as much of it as possible in its raw form. It is also important to pay attention to the water we drink. We should drink enough and at the right time - before we get thirsty, not after, because if thirst appears, it means the body is already dehydrated. We prefer it from a natural source - a mountain spring, for example, to be sure that it has not been sitting in a plastic bottle for months. We are fortunate to be in a country with such an abundance of springs, whether mineral or not, and a walk is always preferable. Besides being clean and without an extra dose of chlorine and fluorine (but with minerals like calcium and magnesium, from its contact with rocks and stones), spring mountain water is believed to best preserve the energy with which it is charged - and which it transfers to us. If we cannot reach the spring, we can choose natural spring water in a bottle, always paying attention to whether it comes from a reliable source.

To increase the alkaline action of water, we can add lemon (lemon, although it tastes sour, has alkaline properties) cut into cubes (not squeezed) and let it stand overnight at room temperature. If we want to further mineralize the water we drink, we can also add Himalayan salt. Another easy and natural way is to add cranberry juice, which is a good plant source of the particularly important Omega-3 fatty acids for metabolism, a "cleaner" of bad cholesterol, and rich in vitamin C. Another option is to choose a water activator device, which "activates" the water through electrolysis, purifying it and giving it completely new properties. After the reaction, we get two types of water - alkaline and acidic. Alkaline water is very soft and has tonic and stimulating properties. It is believed to accelerate biological processes in the body, improve food absorption and metabolism, improve appetite, and provide energy and vigor. Acidic water is a colorless liquid with a sour taste and is successfully used as a bactericidal and disinfectant. Taken internally, it has a good effect on high blood pressure, nerves, and insomnia, and externally it is used to clean and disinfect wounds, fruits and vegetables, and dishes.

In any case, we remember that hydration is most important for the proper functioning and healthy condition of the body. Don't forget about water, just because it's summer and cold beer seems more tempting and creates an artificial impression of quenching thirst. Ultimately, alcohol is among the main factors for dehydration of the body, and we should always keep in mind a simple but important rule - for every small drink, we drink a large glass of water to help regulate the low pH of alcohol and its possible negative consequences.

The easiest way to find out if you are acidic or alkaline is to test your saliva with pH strips.

If you don't want to be one of the "acidic" people, visit the ZELEN Bio store chain, where we will help you choose the best for you and your lifestyle. You can find us in Sofia at 20 Lavele St., 140 G.S. Rakovski St., 24 Yanko Sakazov Blvd., 17 Kishinev St., and Serdika Center at 48 Sitnyakovo Blvd., and in Varna at 68 Dvadset i sedmi yuli St.!