According to their elemental composition, foods can be divided into three major categories: alkaline, neutral, and acidic. Foods containing elements such as potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium are alkaline foods, such as fruits, vegetables, bean products, dairy products, kelp, and alkaline beverages. Conversely, foods containing elements such as phosphorus, chlorine, sulfur, and iodine are acidic foods, such as meat, grains, oils, and alcoholic beverages. In the process of diet, by regulating the acidity and alkalinity of food, it is possible to achieve the effects of drug therapy.
Medical research has confirmed that acidic foods produce anions after metabolism; as anion levels rise, the pH value decreases. Conversely, alkaline foods produce cations after metabolism; if cation levels rise, the pH value increases. Eating more alkaline foods can improve intelligence, which is not only applicable to children but also to all populations.
Scientists have found that within the allowable range of body fluid acidity and alkalinity, a higher acidity (i.e., a lower pH value) is associated with lower intelligence, while a higher alkalinity (i.e., a higher pH value) is associated with higher intelligence. Consequently, scientists have proposed the idea of improving dietary structure and eating more alkaline foods to enhance intelligence levels.
Nutritionists classify foods containing elements such as potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium as alkaline foods, such as fruits, vegetables, bean products, dairy products, kelp, and alkaline beverages. They classify foods containing elements such as sulfur, chlorine, and iodine as acidic foods, such as meat, grains, oils, and alcoholic beverages. It is recommended that children should eat less meat and more bean and dairy products; eat less oily food and more vegetables and fruits; and eat less sweet food and more seafood. It should be pointed out that foods with a sour taste are not necessarily acidic foods. For example, oranges are rich in potassium, so they are alkaline foods, not acidic ones.
The impact of diet on intelligence has gained widespread attention. British scientists believe that the acidity and alkalinity of human brain fluids are related to intelligence. Within the allowable range of body fluid acidity and alkalinity, a more acidic environment corresponds to lower intelligence, while a more alkaline environment corresponds to higher intelligence. When observing 42 boys aged 6 to 13, scientists found that those with a brain fluid pH value greater than 7.0 had an intelligence quotient twice as high as those with a pH value less than 7.0.
Since the acidity and alkalinity of body fluids can be regulated through diet, scientists have suggested improving the dietary structure and eating more alkaline foods to enhance intelligence levels. For children, the diet should include less meat and more bean and dairy products; less oily food and more vegetables and fruits; and less sweet food and more seafood. This dietary habit is beneficial for improving intelligence, especially in children.