The body is a marvelously adapted and regulated organism.
One of the manifestations of this is the balance demonstrated in its handling of acids and bases.
Firstly, at its simplest, an acid is a molecule that donates protons (positively charged) or, more relevantly, receives (sucks up!) electrons (negatively charged). The degree to which a substance dissolves (or dissociates) in water to produce these hungry (needy?) protons is the STRENGTH of the acid. Sucking up electrons (or donating protons) to molecular substances leads to their breaking their chemical bonds.
This is WHY (how) in the "macro" world acids dissolve things!
Bases are molecules that suck up protons, or "neutralize" acids.
They keep acids from attacking and destroying molecules.
Strong bases, which produce molecules hungry for protons, can also break chemical bonds and cause "melting" of substances.
pH = negative log of the concentration of H+ (protons).
The scale is 1-14, with 1 being strongly acidic and 14 strongly basic (remember it is a NEGATIVE logarithm). Neutral = 7, where the concentration of H+ and the base (negatively charged) is equal. A solution that is acidly neutral is also electrically neutral. Remember that acids, since they are hungry for electrons, conduct electricity (which is flowing electrons). COOL, and LOGICAL.
The body produces a LOT of acids, which are as potentially damaging to its molecules (and therefore cells and tissues) as it is to other substances. Therefore the body has, of course, evolved a super-effective buffering (neutralizing) system that relies primarily on the kidneys.
Another reason to take good care of those beans!
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