‘Be Like Water’ is a quote by Bruce Lee, it’s an expression of philosophy in martial arts, and has nothing to do with this article!
However, it is a line I use to remember how important keeping your body in a slightly alkaline state. Being like water is something I aim for every day, because the human body is made up mostly of water, so keeping the quality of that water pristine is paramount.
In actual fact, my variation of the quote should be – ‘be like clean water’.
As our bodies are mostly water, our bodies health and general function is greatly dictated state our ‘water’ is in. But you can be too alkaline.
The key is to find the balance.
The way to know whether or not you need to focus on increasing your alkalinity is to test your pH levels. There’s a spectrum going from Acidic to Alkaline. Your body likes to be somewhere in the middle, slightly alkaline. Chances are if you don’t have a healthy diet, you are quite acidic.
The negative effects of being acidic
If your pH level is low, in the acidic range, than your body, organs and everything your comprised of is sitting in filthy, acidic fluid. There is absolutely no way that is good for your health or your athletic performance.
Simply living in this state, as most people in the world right now do, increases your risk of a massive range of health problems. It can suppress your immunity and increase the risk of cancer in the body (in opposite fashion, cancer cells cannot survive in a completely alkaline environment). An acidic environment in your body is like giving Cancer cells a comfy couch and plenty of food – it’ll sit there and grow and grow.
As someone looking for a better body or fitness, acidic pH levels will affect your muscle mass, help increase levels of body fat and effect your energy levels greatly.
I’ll say it again, if the water in your body is acidic and sick – you are acidic and sick. That simple. Your body is made up of this water.
Why find the balance and become slightly Alkaline?
Well, as mentioned above, you can sidestep all of the side effects but it also has one benefit – your body will operate properly!
You body is always trying it’s best to be slightly alkaline so it can burn energy more efficiently and create an environment for muscle and organs to survive and thrive, as well as promote less body fat and a general fresh, healthy feeling.
Ultimately, balancing your pH to slightly Alkaline will make you healthier, boost your immune system, decrease inflammation and aid in muscle growth aswell as fat loss! Your body needs to be slightly alkaline to operate efficiently.
Are your levels balanced?
Honestly, if you lead a healthy lifestyle, there’s a reasonably good chance you’re already slightly alkaline, but there’s a way to find out for sure.
To be slightly alkaline, you should have pH level of 7.38. You can test this quite easily using Diagnostic Ph Test Strips
If your levels are lower than 7.38, then you are acidic, above and you are more alkaline.
That easy, but there are certain times that give you a more accurate reading.
First thing in the morning, and just after a meal or brushing your teeth will lead to slightly inaccurate readings. So waiting a few hours after any of these events will give you the best reading. If you want to change your pH levels, then you need to change the way you eat (and drink)!
Becoming more Alkaline
Chances are you’re more acidic than alkaline if you aren’t balanced. Certain foods and drinks will make your body more acidic. Any junk food, soft drink, grains or anything outside of healthy meats, vegetables, fruits and eggs will lower you pH and make you acidic (if eaten too often).
Make some simple adjustments and include more of the above foods, emphasizing on vegetables and fruit, as they are the most alkaline forming foods you can eat. Fruit in particular like apples or watermelon will make a big difference.
If you still have trouble there are some simple tricks!
Lemons are probably the most alkaline forming food you can get, but chillin’ out chewing a lemon may not suit you. Try squeezing lemon juice (from a fresh lemon, not lemon juice in a bottle form the supermarket) into a cup of water, and drinking that.
‘Lemony water’ is something I swear by, but I don’t like having to squeeze them freshly all the time. Since you can’t keep lemon juice in the fridge for more than a couple of days, I’ll juice 10 lemons and freeze them up into ice cubes. Then drop 2 lemon juice ice cubes into a drink, let it dissolve and drink up! This also makes the flavor a little less sour.
If you’re a supplement kinda person, then try some alkalising greens like pHresh Greens
Beyond the immediate health benefits
Simply being pH balanced makes you feel cleaner and fresher, but it also helps you to keep track of how healthy your diet is.
Your level of Alkalinity is almost directly linked to the quality of food your eating. If you’re eating unhealthy crap, you will be more acidic, if you eat healthy fruit and vegetables, you’ll be balanced. That simple.
Checking alkalinity will give you a good idea of the environment your body works in. So if you have no idea where you stand, I’d suggest finding out! All it takes is 5 seconds and some Ph Strips
Remember that getting plenty of water is essential to good health. This will aid all aspects of fitness, including losing weight and building muscle. SO don’t ignore the need for balance in your body’s pH levels.
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