Stress makes you acidic – literally!

Many people associate hyperacidity with diet: too much meat, too few vegetables, too many processed foods. But the real cause often lies elsewhere, namely between your ears. Because stress – whether professional, emotional or internal – changes your entire metabolism. It literally makes your body acidic.

What happens in your body when you are stressed

In stressful situations, your body releases cortisol and adrenaline. This is not a bad thing in itself, as it helps to provide energy in the short term. But when this state becomes chronic, the biochemical balance is upset: your blood becomes more acidic because your body produces more lactic acid.

Alkaline minerals such as magnesium, calcium and potassium are drawn from the bones and muscles to buffer the blood. The muscles become overly acidic and energy production in the cells decreases. The pH value in the tissue drops and inflammation occurs. The result: you feel tired, irritable and restless and suffer from tension, even though you are ‘actually healthy’.

An acidic body is an inflamed body. And inflammation means that the immune system is fighting — but not against viruses, rather against itself. Chronic acidification blocks regeneration, accelerates ageing and creates the perfect basis for diseases: from high blood pressure to joint pain, from skin problems to exhaustion.

The body has fantastic self-healing mechanisms. But you have to activate them. Here are the most important levers:

Mental hygiene

Your thoughts are chemically measurable. Negative thoughts, fear and anger activate stress hormones. Joy, gratitude and confidence activate healing.

Tip: Start each day with 3 things you are grateful for. It sounds trivial, but it has a measurable effect on cortisol levels.

Exercise, but do it right

Gentle endurance exercise (walking, cycling, swimming) increases oxygen supply by 10 times. This breaks down acids, improves blood flow to tissues and relieves the metabolism. No competitive sports, no drill. 

Tip: Better 45 minutes at a relaxed pace than 15 minutes at full throttle.

Alkaline diet

Vegetables, nuts, herbs, mineral water – these are natural anti-acid medicines. Avoid sugar, white flour, alcohol and constant stress on the stomach. 

Tip: A glass of warm water with lemon juice in the morning on an empty stomach helps the body to neutralise acids.

Breathing

The lungs are the most important deacidification organ! With every deep exhalation, you lose carbon dioxide – i.e. acid.

Tip: Take 10 deep breaths through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth. This will measurably lower your pH value in minutes.

Magnesium: your anti-stress remedy

Magnesium neutralises acids, relaxes muscles and lowers cortisol. The optimal dose is at least 400 mg daily in the form of citrate.

Why hyperacidity is not just a nutritional issue

The acid-base balance determines health or illness. But no laboratory value shows how stressed your cells really are. For that, you need a feel for yourself. 

• Do you get irritated quickly?
• Do you suffer from sore muscles even though you hardly exercise?
• Do you often have headaches or cold hands?

Then there is a high probability that your body is overacidified – not through food, but through exhaustion. The body forgets nothing. Every tension, every worry, every unspoken anger leaves biochemical traces. But it forgives quickly if you give it space again.

Breathe. Move. Think kindly. And let go.

Article by Dr. Michael Spitzbart