Scientists are not entirely sure, but they cautiously suggest that our love for sour foods came from our ancestors. This may be due to several :
- Monitoring environmental safety. Ancient animals, including fish, had a well-developed sense of sour taste that helped them recognize changes in water acidity. This mechanism has also been passed on to land vertebrates, including humans.
- Need for Vitamin C. Humans and some primates cannot produce this vitamin on their own, and sour fruits often contain it. So our ancestors may have developed a preference for sour tastes to find foods with vitamin C.
- Food safety. Fermented acidic foods are generally safer because the acid kills harmful bacteria. This was important to our ancestors, as fermented acidic fruits were nutritious and almost always harmless.
It turns out that our ancestors adapted to eat sour foods without disgust, and we inherited their taste preferences.
Is it harmful to eat sour food?
The human body has a balance of acids and bases, called pH. It is measured on a scale from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral, below 7 being acidic, and above 7 being alkaline. Important fluids and organs in our bodies, such as blood, optimal pH levels, usually close to neutral or slightly alkaline.
Doctors do not prohibit healthy people from eating sour foods. However, too much sour in the diet can cause discomfort: some people heartburn, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
Scientists at Harvard that acidic foods, such as citrus fruits or vinegar, can trigger acid reflux, a condition in which stomach acid flows into the esophagus and causes pain, nausea, belching, coughing or hiccups, and bad breath.
For people with gastritis, acidic foods can also worsening symptoms such as pain, indigestion, and bloating.
Scientists also have limited that acidic foods and drinks make people more likely to take risks, although it’s not yet clear why.
How sour sweets can harm
The main harm sour candies, dragees and marmalade cause to the oral cavity. First of all, this is due to acidity.
Food does not lower the pH of your blood or organs, but it can temporarily change the acidity of your saliva by mixing with it.
According to Minnesota Dental Association, sour candy has a pH level of 1.6 to 3.0. In fact, this is to vinegar at 2.0 or stomach acid at 1.0 than to water, which is a neutral and safe 7.0.
When exposed to substances with a pH below 4.0, the enamel of your teeth, the hard shell of your teeth, . Yes, saliva slowly the pH of candy or jelly and returns your mouth to its natural acidity level. However, if you continue to eat acidic foods, you won’t be able to restore the balance – and this can lead to slow tooth decay .
In addition, sweets and marmalade contain sugar, which one of the main causes of caries. Moreover, the problem can both on the visible part of the teeth and in the space between them – after all, the remains of sweets can get stuck there and affect the enamel for a long time.
How to Eat Sour Food Safely for Your Teeth
If you still have a craving for sour candy, follow from the Minnesota Dental Association to reduce your dental risks:
- Avoid sucking or chewing candy constantly – take breaks to reduce the amount of time your teeth are exposed to acids.
- If you eat a sour candy, rinse your mouth with water, drink milk, or eat cheese right away to neutralize the acid.
- Chew sugar -free gum .
- If you have eaten something acidic, wait about an hour before brushing your teeth. Mechanical action can increase the harmful effects of acid.
- Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush to protect your teeth.
And don’t forget to visit the dentist regularly – you to do this at least once every six months to avoid developing serious dental problems.