The Importance of Chewing by Fred Pulver A cornerstone of Macrobiotic practice is thorough chewing. That is, chew your food until it turns to liquid in your mouth. We have more to gain by restoring alkalinity to our systems by eating correctly than we do by cleaning up the external environment, though, of course, tending to the environment is important, too. However, one study done in Tokyo indicated that people with acidic systems absorbed more pollution than people who had established proper blood alkalinity. Excessive acidity or alkalinity makes it difficult for cells to function normally.
Most bacteria thrive in slightly acid conditions.
Slightly alkaline blood keeps bacteria from multiplying because it absorbs oxygen better. When blood becomes acidic, less oxygen is absorbed. Cells need oxygen to metabolize food and convert it to energy. If cells do not get enough oxygen, they can no longer function normally - aerobically. Alkaline blood absorbs oxygen in sufficient quantities to oxidize food, convert it to energy and neutralize acidic waste products, a normal aspect of food metabolism.