Acid–base balance

Food provides hydrogen and sulphate ions, which are acidic, along with bicarbonate ions, which are bases. Depending upon which type of ion occurs in greater quantity, our internal balance shifts, becoming more or less acidic.

When blood shows acidic tendencies, it must draw upon bone calcium to neutralize this excessive acidity. That said, a diet rich in cereals, meat, dairy products, salt, and sugar proves very acidifying. On the other hand, a diet rich in fruit and vegetables provides potassium ions, whose basic properties help protect you against acidosis.
An acid–base imbalance may result in an array of medical conditions, in particular osteoporosis. Consult our handy guide on Osteoporosis published by Editions Alpen and specially conceived with the sole aim of informing you.