Why are acids and bases harmful to the body?
The body relies on a large number of highly controlled chemical reactions. The body contains a large number of compounds that have evolved to function properly at a certain pH (which varies throughout the body – the pH of the blood is different from that of the stomach). Acids or bases will change the pH. Many enzymes will not work as well under non-optimal pH conditions. In addition, some biomolecules may react with the acid or base, or with each other in the presence of acid or base, causing further undesired reactions. In short, changing the pH of the body disrupts the reactions that constitute life.
