pH is a measure of acidity or alkalinity. For the skin, a balanced pH is important as it can help maintain a healthy skin barrier and protects against infections and irritation.
Photo by Edgar Castrejon on Unsplash
In addition to skin, pH also plays an important role in overall health. An unbalanced pH in the body can cause health problems such as kidney stones, osteoporosis, and digestive problems.
In holistic, diet plays a major role and the ancient masters of traditional Chinese medicine said that “he who does not know how to eat does not know how to live”. For the wise, a pH that is too acidic means that the body has an excess of Yang while an alkaline pH means that the body has an excess of Yin.
If you pay attention to your eating habits and their changes, you will certainly notice a particular appetite for alkaline or acidic foods. And this appetite will perhaps evolve as the energy season changes.
Foods that are considered acidic include dairy products, meats, and foods high in sugar. As you will have understood, the current trend is towards excessive acidity in the body. But to be sure, you have to observe yourself or even measure. It is possible to do it yourself very easily by obtaining pH strips from a pharmacy.
Alkaline foods include green vegetables, fruits and nuts.
The balance between acidic and alkaline foods is important for maintaining a balanced pH in the body. But this balance is personal. In this area, it is the observation of your habits and the evolution of your tastes which will give you valuable information.
In holistic nutrition, we know that you have to follow your desires. Because in our unconscious, our body knows that its mission is to strive towards an ideal of health. This ability of the body to strive towards the ideal must not be disturbed by general information. On this path towards perfect holistic balance, feeling and observation are our favorite tools.
Modern Western diets tend to be high in acidic foods, which can disrupt the pH balance in the body. This is why it is important to eat a balanced diet and pay attention to our desire to eat alkaline foods.
Foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, avocados and spinach, can help balance an overly acidic pH in the body. Citrus fruits like lemons and limes are surprisingly considered alkaline despite their apparent acidity.
Other food ingredients that can help balance the body's pH include leafy green vegetables, herbs and spices. Leafy green vegetables such as kale, broccoli and cauliflower are rich in alkaline minerals. Herbs and spices such as turmeric, ginger and rosemary are also considered alkalizing.
The skin's natural pH is around 5.5, which is slightly acidic compared to the body's pH which is normally around 7. Using skin care products that are too alkaline or acidic can disrupt the skin's natural pH balance and cause problems such as dryness, flaking and irritation. Holistic cosmetics are normally all formulated to the skin's natural pH. When this is not the case, it is because a particular effect is sought, as in certain masks or certain scrubs. This is why we generally use an acid lotion or cream at the end of the ritual. This will restore the skin's natural pH.