Did you know that there\’s so much acid in a single cup of coffee, it takes 64 ounces of water to neutralize it? Most people don\’t drink 64 ounces of water in a day!

What\’s more important to know is what happens in the body when there is an overload of acidic waste, that there aren\’t enough minerals in the system to tame. The body will go searching for the minerals, and leech them from your bones.

With many people drinking more than one cup of coffee a day, and indulging in a diet of processed, sugary foods, it\’s clear that conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis are rooted in the foods and drinks we consume (which is why we spend billions dollars on over-the-counter and prescription medication every year).

When you understand the health ramifications of too much acid in the body, dropping acid makes plenty of sense.

The harmful effects of acid on your system

Most of us are familiar with indigestion, also referred to as acid reflux-heartburn, upset stomach, and the generally uncomfortable feeling we get when we eat something our body doesn\’t agree with. This is caused by acid-forming foods. Frequent indigestion leads to a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and the occurrence of this condition is on the rise. About 25 million adults in the US suffer from GERD.

There is no secret to how this condition occurs. Acid-forming foods, drinks, stress, and chemicals in products we use everyday are all huge contributors to an onslaught of acid, which the body cannot get rid of. Over time, this develops into GERD, inflammation, digestive issues, reflux, and heartburn, just to name a few.

And the sad part of this story is how our culture handles these health conditions: by swallowing pill after pill, prescribed to give us relief in the moment. I love the commercial for heartburn where the guy is doubled over in pain because he ate some crazy-spicy, jacked up meal. Then he takes this pill designed to get him relief, so he can go back and do again!

When people start to understand the dangers of too much acid in the system, there will be a giant A-HA moment as we realize why we\’re so sick, tired and overweight as a culture.

Once you start reducing acid in your diet, you will lose weight, fight high cholesterol, gain more energy, get rid of heartburn, and much more.

What\’s the acid content of your diet?

You\’re probably taking in more acid-forming foods and beverages than you realize, even if you\’re eating healthy. Unfortunately, the most popular consumables in the country are typically those that increase acid production in the body. Coffee, soda and alcoholic beverages are the top culprits among drinks, while processed or sugary foods, dairy products, pasta, and meat lead the pack for food.

Even fruits and vegetables can contribute to the acid problem. With conventionally grown produce, 43% of all fruits and vegetables contain detectable levels of pesticides-and chemicals are definitely not going to help you lower your acid levels!

So what\’s a person to do?

Get your system alkaline.

Your body, and all the organs in it, work best when your pH level is alkaline (7.365). To maintain that level, you need a diet of foods and drinks that is 20% acidic, and 80% alkaline. Introducing alkaline foods into your diet, along with cutting back on processed foods and foods loaded with additives and preservatives, are the first steps.

Organic foods are great for improving your alkaline levels. For example, choose whole-grain bread and pasta over white bread or refined pasta. Select organically grown fruits and vegetables whenever possible-fresh is also better than canned or frozen.

High-alkaline foods include spinach and other leafy greens, broccoli, celery, avocado, almonds, apples, berries, dates, figs, grapes, mushrooms, and fermented tofu. You can spice up your diet with cinnamon or ginger, and add whey protein powder to your meals to boost alkaline content.

The last and most immediate solution is to take a calcium, magnesium and potassium supplement. One of the greatest health products I\’ve seen to date is an organic mineral formulation that reduces acid buildup in foods and drinks. This is a supplement that, taken every day, will do wonders to keep your ph in balance. And when you do have coffee, or a glass of wine, it will buffer 90% of the acid-so you don\’t have to be a saint.

Hara Taicher is a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach based in New York City, and the author of Changing Your Thinking Changes Your Life. Find her free report, The 5 Dangers of Too Much Acid, at http://reliefwithoutaprescription.mybetterbodysystem.com/goland17

Hara Taicher is a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach based in New York City, and the author of Changing Your Thinking Changes Your Life. Find her free report, The 5 Dangers of Too Much Acid, at http://reliefwithoutaprescription.mybetterbodysystem.com/goland17

Author Bio: Hara Taicher is a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach based in New York City, and the author of Changing Your Thinking Changes Your Life. Find her free report, The 5 Dangers of Too Much Acid, at http://reliefwithoutaprescription.mybetterbodysystem.com/goland17

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: acid-forming foods, high cholesterol, organic foods, lose weight, hara taicher, health, wellness