15 Ways to Make Your Body More Alkaline and Raise Your pH Levels

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​Quick question:

Are you looking for a few simple tips how to make your body more alkaline?  Or do you want to raise your pH levels? 

If so​, then it's not too hard to achieve these outcomes!

​In this post, you will get a comprehensive guide on how to alkalize your body. First, you'll learn about the difference between ​your various pH levels. Then you ​will discover a simple strategy to test if your body is alkaline or acidic. Finally, you can check out the 15 tips on ​how to make your body more alkaline. 

(Sidebar: ​If you want a great product that can help make your body more alkaline, then here is one that we recommend.)

So let's get to it…

​Why Does Your Body ​Become Alkaline​ or Acidic?

Before we get into all ​the tips on how to make your body alkaline, let's discuss ​the reasons why you might have an in-balance in your pH levels.

There are two main factors that contribute making your body too acidic.

1. The foods we eat. (soda, meats, coffee, chocolate, flour sugar) 
2. The amount of stress in our bodies and how we deal with it. 

So you might wonder: “If I changed the foods that I ate and reduced my stress, would that make my body more alkaline?”

The simple answer is it depends.

Let's talk about the pH levels in your body work…

Can you remember the pH scale? This scale measures how acidic or basic a substance is. If a substance is neither acidic nor basic, it is neutral. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14.

Understanding the pH Level in Your Body

Most people don't stop to consider the acid/alkaline balance in their blood, but an optimal pH is actually crucial to one's health. Human blood is a solution, meaning that it is made up of a uniform distribution inside a liquid.

Having a balanced pH protects our bodies from the inside out. Some even say that diseases and disorders cannot grow in a body whose pH is in balance. An imbalanced pH allows unhealthy organisms to grow, damages tissues and organs, and hurts the immune system.

The body’s optimal pH is 7.36, which is just barely alkaline.

Because most people are too acidic, it is best to focus on alkalizing the body to maintain proper health. To measure your pH, you can dip a piece of litmus paper in your saliva or urine as soon as you wake up, before eating or drinking anything.

An acidic environment in one's body will decrease its ability to repair damaged cells and detoxify heavy metals. It also creates an environment for tumor cells to thrive, and it makes the body more susceptible to fatigue and illness.

Acidosis is more common in today’s society than it was in centuries past due to the drastic changes in our eating patterns as compared to those who came before us.

Choosing to eat more alkaline foods can help to change your pH balance. This allows your body to function at its best.

However, many of the foods that people love are very acidic. Eating too many acidic foods over time stresses the body's natural functions and can leave you feeling tired and sluggish.

So, which foods are alkalizing and which are acidic? As stated, the scale goes from 0 to 14, and you want to shoot for a balanced pH of 7. Our food today is far too high in acid-producing animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy.

It is far too low in alkaline-producing foods such as fresh vegetables like spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, collard greens, strawberries, and wild rice.

Additionally, we eat acid-producing processed foods such as white flour and sugar, and drink acid-producing beverages like coffee and soft drinks. Popcorn, cream cheese, chocolate, fruit juices, and nuts are all acidic foods that harm our overall health.

Some more neutral foods that are only slightly acidic include cooked beans, coconut, and salmon. On the other hand, some foods that are only slightly basic are apples, olives, and bananas.

Further, all grains, whether they are whole or not, increase acidity in the body. Many people eat most of their quota of plant food in the form of processed wheat or corn. The problem is, if you do not consume enough alkaline-promoting foods to counteract this, the body can become prone to disease.

Calcium-rich dairy products actually lead to osteoporosis because they create acidity in the body. When your bloodstream acquires too much acid, it will take calcium out of the bones because calcium is an alkaline substance.

This will then help the body balance the pH level. So while many people think that eating calcium is the key to strong bones, the best way to prevent osteoporosis is actually to eat a lot of alkaline green leafy vegetables.

Side note: One of the secrets to balancing your pH levels is to plan healthy meals in advance. This meal planning service can help!

How to Tell If Your Body Is Alkaline or Acidic

The big question here is, “How can you tell if your body is too alkaline or acidic?”

The quickest way to get this information is to measure your body’s pH level by using pH level strips that you can purchase at your local pharmacy or on Amazon. However, if you don't have these handy and you want to know where you stand now, here are some symptoms of being too alkaline or too acidic.

Symptoms of Being Too Acidic

If your body is too acidic, you are likely to experience a lot of fatigue, even if you feel as if you are getting enough sleep at night. You may also have joint pain, headaches, chronic pain, or a stiff neck.

You are likely to feel an overall sense of sluggishness, and even depression at times. Many people whose bodies are too acidic also suffer from irritability and brain fog.

Symptoms of Being Too Alkaline

This is much less common than being too acidic, but can come with equally as disturbing symptoms. People who are too alkaline may suffer from hand tremors, nausea, vomiting, confusion, lightheadedness, and muscle twitching.

If you are still not sure after looking through these symptoms, here’s a great video from Dr. Eric Berg.

15 Ways to Make Your Body More Alkaline

As you can see, there can be a lot of negative consequences if your body is too acidic. An alkaline body is hard work, but worthwhile. If you’d like to balance it by becoming more alkaline, then here are 15 ​tips on how to make your body more alkaline.

1. Check your pH levels regularly.

These pH strips are relatively inexpensive on Amazon. They give a fast and accurate reading of your body’s acidity and alkaline levels. The results of these test strips will help guide you in keeping your pH levels balanced so your body can properly process essential nutrients.

These strips give you a convenient method to monitor your pH levels in the privacy of your home. You can use either saliva or urine to test your pH. Results appear 15 seconds after your test is administered, and the strips come with an easy-to-read chart to see what range you are in.

2. Start your day with a tall glass of water with a hint of lemon.

Lemon might seem too acidic, but it actually has the reverse effect because it helps boost your metabolism. Clean water and a slice of freshly squeezed lemon is one of the most highly rated energy boosters of all time.

Water with lemon gives the body clean energy through both hydration and oxygenation that provide extraordinary energy and mental clarity.

When added to your water, fresh lemon helps oxygenate the body and optimize enzyme function. This fruit is known to stimulate the liver’s natural enzymes and assist the liver in the process of getting rid of toxins such as uric acid.

One habit or hack that can help you maximize your lemon water intake is to use a “smart water bottle” like HidrateSpark that tracks the amount of water you drink and lights up as a reminder to drink more.

The video below talks about other healthy morning routine habits that you should focus on the first few hours of the day.

3. Eat more dark and green vegetables.

When we think of healthy foods, we usually think about the color green. Similarly, when we think about nature, we think about the color green.

Green is a color that is associated with all of the good aspects of life, but when it comes to choosing what is for lunch, we typically have a reluctance towards green foods.

Unfortunately, our taste buds have been conditioned to love artificial flavors and sugars. Food manufacturers have made us crave intense flavors that can only be found in packaged products.

So, how can you get yourself to eat more dark and green vegetables? Start by exposing yourself to new vegetables and experimenting with them in the kitchen. You likely don't know that you will like some of these foods until you try them.

Also, make them easily available. When you reach for a snack, make sure that you already have cut-up vegetables in the fridge rather than a bag of potato chips.

If you get stuck, check out one of the green juice superfood powders that is suggested here.

4. Get more exercise.

Exercise helps your body sustain and restore its neutral pH balance of tissues, as well as blood and cellular fluids. Doing aerobic exercise is the best way to maintain the acid-alkaline equilibrium in your body because it works your muscles and can help reduce the accumulation of acid in your system.

When it comes to exercising, make sure to do at least one form of activity each day, whether that is walking, dancing, gardening, swimming, etc. Also, the more you exercise, the better off your overall health will be.

If you get stuck you can try an app like Aaptiv to motivate yourself (Read our review of Aaptiv here.)

5. Limit your alcohol intake.

Alcohol changes your pH by altering your kidneys’ ability to maintain substances such as phosphate in your blood. Imbalances of substances in the blood can significantly decrease the effectiveness of your body’s metabolism.

When you drink a light form of alcohol, like a beer, you are drinking a significant amount of water while also reducing your kidneys’ ability to get rid of that water. This results in a fluid overload and a change in phosphate levels that then decreases the acidity of your blood, making your pH level rise.

In fact, a single drink of alcohol can begin to change your normal kidney function. If your liver is already damaged from previous alcohol consumption, alcohol’s effects on your kidneys will only become more harmful.

6. Use natural baking soda.

Add a teaspoon of natural baking soda to water and drink it first thing in the morning.

Sure, this doesn’t taste so great, but is a quick way to alkalize your body. It is an easy method, and you can feel the effects of it right away. To do this, mix a teaspoon of natural baking soda in a cup of water and drink it as soon as you wake up.

Among other health benefits, drinking baking soda dissolved in a bit of water helps balance the body's pH and promotes overall well-being while increasing energy.

7. Reduce your intake of acidic foods.

Limiting your intake of acidic foods can help manage your pH levels, help preserve bone density, prevent kidney stones, and eliminate symptoms of acid reflux.

Foods that are acid-forming in the body should be eaten in strict moderation. Some of these foods include processed cakes and breads, processed cereals, eggs, peanuts, walnuts, pasta, rice, oats, and cold cuts.

When it comes to beverages, limit your intake of alcohol, milk, caffeinated drinks, and drinks that contain artificial sweeteners.

8. Drink more alkaline water.

You have probably heard some of the health claims that are out there about alkaline water. While a few say that it can help slow the aging process, prevent chronic disease, and regulate your body’s pH level, what exactly is the hype around alkaline water?

Alkaline water has a higher pH level than normal drinking water. Because of this, alkaline water can help neutralize the acid in your body. While normal drinking water typically has a neutral pH of 7, alkaline water has a pH of about 8 or 9.

If you get stuck trying to find alkaline water, you can buy an alkaline water pitcher like this one.

9. Take multivitamins to supplement your diet.

Many of the vitamins included in a multivitamin will help you alkalize your body. For example, vitamins A and C boost the immune system and strengthen the body's cells while also making the body more alkaline.

Vitamin D also helps the body maintain an alkaline state while also improving calcium absorption and helping the body maintain healthy mineral levels.

While you may not get enough of these important vitamins and minerals in your diet, taking a multivitamin every day can help your body maintain a healthy pH level.

• Here are the best multivitamins for men
• Here are the best multivitamins for women

10. Go for a brisk walk.

Exercise helps move any acidic waste products that are stuck in your body so your organs can eliminate them more effectively.

Each day, go for a brisk walk or incorporate another form of cardio into your day somehow. Grab a friend and start a walking routine together, and stick with it. You can even use one of these pedometers to track your steps while walking.

11. Eat raw, unsalted almonds.

Snack on raw, unsalted almonds throughout the day to help combat acidity in your body. Almonds are rich in natural alkaline minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which help balance out the acidity in your body while also balancing your blood sugar.

If you feel the need to reach for some chips or cake, opt for raw, unsalted almonds instead. They will keep you fuller longer, and have a better effect on the pH of your blood.

12. Reduce your intake of sugar.

The most acidic things you can put into your body are foods that are full of sugar, such as sodas, candy, and cakes. Sugar is actually everywhere you look, in plain sight, as well as being hidden in common food items.

Products like ketchup, yogurt, and even pasta sauce are full of sugar. Sugar comes in many forms, such as high fructose corn syrup, artificial sugar, corn syrup solids, fructose, sucrose, and dextrose, just to name a few.

Sugar (in all of its forms) is very acidic. When you stop to think about how prevalent sugar is in foods (and often in high amounts), it is easy to see its influence in contributing to an imbalanced pH in the blood.  Here's an article on how to reduce your sugar intake.

13. Reduce your caffeine intake.

Caffeine is often found in coffee and other drinks that are meant to provide you with a pick-me-up. You may be used to reaching for a soda in the mid-afternoon to help get you through the day, or even an after-dinner cup of coffee to help you finish up some work at the end of the night.

However, caffeine is an acidic factor that can damage the pH of your body. Instead of drinking caffeinated drinks, replace them with either water or tea.

14. Reduce the amount of stress in your life.

Studies have shown that your emotional state affects the pH levels in your body. Stress affects the neuron-endocrine system, which leads to higher levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. As is the truth with any form of stress, half of the battle is realizing that the stress is happening.

Practicing mindfulness and recognizing what is challenging you, and whether you are having a helpful or hindering response is an important part of making sure your negative thoughts don’t have a lasting effect on your body.

Building a mindfulness practice will help you become aware of your emotions and allow them to pass without judgment.

Once you are aware of your stress, take some steps to find inner peace to help you cope, which will also help keep your pH balanced and avoid harming your bones.  And you can also this content platform to learn how to reduce stress and anxiety in your life.

15. Focus on consuming lots of high-alkaline foods.

While you are avoiding foods that make your body produce more acidic, make sure to also add in foods that help your body come to a more alkaline state.

Eat a diet rich in fruits, nuts, legumes, and vegetables. Think about raw Brussels sprouts, raw Swiss chard, raw mustard greens, raw eggplant, sweet potatoes, and yams.

If you get stuck, Ross Bridgeford has a list of seven of the most alkaline foods:

• Spinach
• Kale
• Cucumber
• Broccoli
• Avocado
• Celery
• Bell pepper

The Dangers of a Body that is Too Acidic

Think about some of the dangers of having a body that is too acidic. It can lead to fatigue, headaches, chronic pain, lack of appetite, increased heart rate, depression, and more.

Without quick treatment, acidosis can lead to several more serious health problems, such as kidney stones, chronic kidney problems, kidney failure, bone disease, and delayed growth.

The list of foods that can cause your body to become too acidic can certainly seem a bit daunting, as can their possible effects. If you are looking for a quick solution to help alkalize your body, we recommend trying one of the green juice superfood powders that are mentioned on this review page.

Again, if you'd like a product that can help alkalize your body and provides a superfood blend of ingredients, then be sure to check out the Organifi green juice powder.  

Final Thoughts on How to Make Your Body More Alkaline

The key to a more alkaline body isn't about drastic changes; it's about incorporating sustainable habits into your daily routine. Small, consistent changes in your lifestyle can have a profound impact on your body's pH levels and overall health.

From mindful eating to staying hydrated, each choice contributes to the alkaline environment your body thrives in. Soon, you’ll experience increased vitality and energy and a renewed sense of well-being.

And if you're looking for more ways to develop healthy habits, be sure to check out these articles:

• 53 Simple Healthy Habits to Improve Your Quality of Life
• 44 Top Daily Healthy Habits Recommended by Experts
• 33 Health Goals to Achieve