What Effect Does Acidic Food Have on the Body?

In a chaotic and on-the-go type of society, it can be hard to find time to slow down and plan meals for the week ahead. Food companies know that; that's why you're never too far away from a quick and convenient fast food meal.

However, if you've ever heard the saying, "you are what you eat," you might find it's more accurate than you'd like to admit.

Fast food is fatty, acidic, heavily processed and loaded with sugar. This could cause fatigue, trouble sleeping, weight gain, acid reflux, and your blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels to skyrocket.

Recent research suggests that eating too many acid-promoting, unhealthy processed foods could potentially damage your kidneys and your liver and might even raise diabetes risk. When you're eating acidic foods, you may feel a little acid reflux; but you're also causing a range of other health problems that could arise later in your life.

Acid can come up from your stomach, which causes heartburn. It may seem like an everyday occurrence for some, but heartburn causes your tissues to swell, which numbs your throat and esophagus. This can eventually lead to more serious health issues such as throat cancer, esophagus cancer, asthma, and other problems within your lungs.

What foods should be avoiding to lower your risk of heartburn?

If you're prone to heartburn you should be avoiding acidic foods and drinks such as soda, citrus foods, vinegar, fried food, fatty meats, high fat cheeses, caffeine, and alcohol.

What else do you need to know about the effects acidic food has on your body?

Jonathan E. Aviv, MD, FACS, joins Dr. Mike to discuss what acidic food does to your body, and why it's important to eat healthy and wholesome foods throughout the day.