Mahavira's Scripture Of Health: [09.03] Food And Health - Definition Of Balanced Diet

According to the modern science of nutrition, our food should include alkaline and acidic elements. The balanced diet means 8 per cent of alkaline and 20 per cent of acidic elements. The acidic content in food produces poison and releases acidic atoms that accumulate in every part of the body, affecting the nutritive elements. This accumulation becomes toxic. Unless it is thrown out of the body, it has a harmful effect on the body. Blood is the main thing that helps the body to carry out all its functions. The blood becomes poisonous when there is an excess of the acidic content in it. The whole body gets affected when the blood becomes poisonous. The acidic element is the power, which has a negative effect. The alkaline element is the power, which results in denseness. Both are the power and both are needed in the body. The acidic element is necessary for the body and the alkaline element is necessary to prevent its excessive accumulation and make its ejectment possible. It isnecessary to maintain balance of both these elements. If their proportion is not correct, then fasting becomes necessary to facilitate their ejectment.