Acid-Alkali Balance

Nutritionists often talk of the acid-alkali balance in the body. This is because a healthy body should be slightly alkaline. However, in the West most of us veer towards the acidic end of the scale. When your body becomes too acid, it leeches calcium from your bones and teeth to neutralize the acidity and correct the imbalance. To help prevent this, try to avoid too many acidic foods, including too much meat protein (research shows that vegetarians are much less likely to develop osteoporosis) and sugar. Cut out caffeine altogether if you have a family history of osteoporosis; otherwise drink no more than two cups of coffee, or equivalent in other caffeinated drinks, daily. Keep to a minimum drinks containing phosphoric acid (it’s used to give a tangy taste to carbonated soft drinks).