Your health and wellbeing depend largely on your bodys pH balance. Alkaline foods and beverages can help restore this delicate balance by neutralizing acidity. Herbal teas appear to be particularly beneficial.
Most herbal infusions, green tea, rooibos, and yerba mate have an alkalizing effect which can work to neutralize acidity in the body. Once they are digested and assimilated, these alkaline teas work to raise the pH level in the body.
Alkaline Foods: Healthy or Hype?
Alternative medicine practitioners often tout the benefits of alkaline water and alkaline-forming foods to restore the bodys pH balance. An alkaline diet includes most fruits and veggies as well as nuts, seeds and some herbs. Animal foods, alcohol, coffee, sugar, legumes and grains are considered acid-forming.
Clinical evidence doesnt support these claims, though. As the American Society for Nutrition points out, theres no proof that acidic-forming foods affect the bodys pH balance and contribute to diseases. However, some foods, especially fruits and vegetables, have been proven beneficial in the treatment of chronic kidney disease and other illnesses caused by acid buildup, among other factors.
Furthermore, the American Dental Association states that acidic beverages, such as sports drinks, fruit juices and sugar-sweetened beverages in general, cause dental erosion and tooth decay. For example, popular drinks like Nestea Iced Tea, Snapple Peach Tea and Lipton Green Tea with Citrus are considered extremely erosive. Milos Famous Sweet Tea, by contrast, is minimally erosive.
A July 2016 cohort study published in the Journal of Nutrition identified a link between dietary acid load and mortality. Subjects who followed an acid-base balanced diet — or an alkaline diet — had the lowest mortality rates. Diets characterized by excess acidity or alkalinity have been shown to increase the risk of death from all causes, especially heart disease.
The Importance of pH Balance
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Nutritionists and other medical experts emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy pH balance. According to a September 2014 review in BioMed Research International, an abnormal pH promotes the onset of certain diseases and may affect organ function. It can also diminish physical performance and contribute to the development of metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and insulin sensitivity.
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When the bodys pH is out of balance, your cells and organs cannot function properly. Your bodily fluids can become acidic, which in turn, may affect insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, muscle repair and other biochemical processes. As the researchers point out, normal blood pH is 7.4. Even a small decrease, such as 0.05 units, may result in acidosis.
Metabolic acidosis, for example, is characterized by excess acid in the body, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Diabetic acidosis, which tends to occur in people with uncontrolled diabetes, results from ketone buildup in the blood and urine. Its symptoms include muscle aches, fruity-smelling breath, rapid breathing, excessive thirst and headaches. If left unaddressed, it may lead to kidney failure, cardiac arrest and even death.
A pH above 7.4 may result in alkalosis. This condition causes nausea and vomiting, hand tremors, confusion, numbness in the limbs and muscle twitching. Without adequate treatment, it can affect your electrolyte balance and heart function.
Both alkalosis and acidosis result from abnormal blood pH levels. This imbalance typically results from an underlying disorder, points out the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC). Therefore, its important to consult a doctor who can identify the root cause of your symptoms and prescribe appropriate treatment.
Is Tea Alkaline or Acidic?
FAQ
What tea is the least acidic?
What can I drink to Alkalize my body?
What tea has the highest pH?
Is chamomile tea alkaline?
Which white tea is best for alkaline?
The soft sweetness of organic honeybush and organic rooibos round out the blend, making it extra soothing and satisfying. White tea like this top-shelf Silver Needle offers a delicate, smooth, and sweet experience that has a naturally higher pH level making it ideal for our alkaline list of teas.
What is the best alkaline bottled water to drink?
Any bottled alkaline water is good. However, for good results, it is suggested to drink at least 2 liters (eight glasses) of alkaline water per day.
Are herbal teas alkaline or acidic?
Most herbal teas are alkaline and have a high pH value, according to a June 2010 study featured in Oral Health and Dental Management , a comprehensive review on this topic. Researchers compared several Turkish tea brands and concluded that herbal teas are significantly less acidic than fruit teas.
Is alkaline tea good for your health?
However, most studies suggest that alkaline tea, fruits and vegetables may help maintain the body’s pH levels within a normal range. Furthermore, herbal teas and alkaline-forming foods, in general, are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that support optimal health.