ACIDIC or ALKALINE

ACIDS are substances that dissociate in water to produce hydrogen ions (H+). Commonly, they are known to taste SOUR.They have a pH value below 7. ALKALI or BASES are substances that dissociate in water to produce hydroxide ions (OH-). Commonly, they are known to taste BITTER.They have a pH value above 7. Substances that do not fall into these categories are known to be NEUTRAL.

Acid forming foods:

Alkaline forming foods:

THE EXPERIMENT:
Aim Apparatus Materials : : : To test a variety of substances to see if they are acidic, alkaline or neutral. Universal indicator paper, red litmus paper, blue litmus paper, small containers Water, milk, Milo, orange juice, Coca-Cola, Yakult, black tea, green tea, coffee, raw chicken egg, soya sauce, honey, ketchup, cucumber, green apple Method : 1) 2) 3) The substances were place in separate containers, which were labelled. The substances were tested with damp red litmus paper, damp blue litmus paper, and universal indicator paper. The observations were recorded in a table.

Results : Substances Water Milk Milo Orange juice Coca-Cola Yakult Black tea Green tea Coffee Chicken egg Soya sauce Honey Ketchup Cucumber Green apple Red Litmus P. No change No change No change No change No change No change No change No change No change Turns blue No change No change No change No change No change Blue Litmus P. No change Turns red No change Turns red Turns red Turns red Turns red Turns red Turns red No change Turns red Turns red Turns red Turns red Turns red Uni. Indicator P. Category 7 6 7 4 2 4 5 6 5 8 6 3 4 6 4 Neutral Acidic Neutral Acidic Acidic Acidic Acidic Acidic Acidic Alkaline Acidic Acidic Acidic Acidic Acidic

If a substance turns damp blue litmus paper red, it is an ACID. If a substance turns damp red litmus paper blue, it is an ALKALI. If a substance does not change the colour of either damp litmus paper, it is NEUTRAL.

Acid and Alkaline Body Chemistry

Many studies have been conducted showing that

maintaining the pH level in the body is a major step towards greater health. Acid and alkaline body chemistry refers to the pH or potential hydrogen balance within the body. If you have optimal acid-alkaline balance, then we have a blood chemistry balance, or homeostasis. Human blood pH should be slightly alkaline : pH 7.35 to 7.45. If a persons body has a pH level above or below this range, then the body could have diseases or just symptoms of diseases. Science has found that organisms that carry diseases, such as mosquitoes, prefer an acidic environment. Another example is when we eat a heavy meal, very often

we feel extremely tired and sleepy. This is because an acidic diet will decrease the bodys ability to absorb minerals and other nutrients, decreasing the energy production in the body, and thus making us susceptible to fatigue. Just as you feel sick or tired when your body temperature changes by 1C, so will you when your pH level changes. At pH 6.9 you enter a comatose stage. Bacteria and viruses thrive in acidic environments, which is why we will feel weak if our body chemistry is more acidic than normal. Although it is known that citrus fruits are acidic, and most animal products are alkaline, they have a different reaction in the body. In the body, citrus fruits are alkaline forming, while the animal products are acid forming.

Maintaining Health and Preventing Sickness

Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics or vitamin C when we are sick. Chemical compounds whose name ends with an in, such as aspirin and vitamins, are usually acidic. Most of the bacteria and viruses die, but the body remains in an acidic condition, encouraging other bacteria and viruses to flourish. A better way to prevent sickness is to make the body more alkaline by consuming more alkaline forming foods, such as fruits. When there is a pH imbalance in the body, symptoms, such as headaches, muscle cramps,

soreness and bodily aches, allergies, acne, and eczema, will show. If our body is left with a pH imbalance, most cells will die, while some will mutate to become cancerous cells.

To maintain health, a diet consisting of 60% alkaline forming foods and 40% acid forming foods should be practiced. To restore health when sick, a diet consisting of 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acid forming foods must be practiced.