Arrowroot powder is a versatile ingredient that’s commonly used in cooking and baking.
But did you know that it also has a pH level?
Understanding the pH of arrowroot powder can help you make informed decisions about how to use it in your recipes.
In this article, we’ll explore the alkaline properties of arrowroot powder and how it can affect the acid and alkaline balance in your body.
So, let’s dive in and discover the pH of arrowroot powder!
What Is The pH Of Arrowroot Powder?
Arrowroot powder has an alkaline pH level of 8.0, once it’s digested. When we eat food, it breaks down into an ash residue that can be neutral, acidic, or alkaline. Minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, silver, copper, and iron produce an alkaline ash. On the other hand, sulfur, phosphorus, chlorine, and iodine found in meat, coffee, dairy, and alcohol leave an acid ash.
Calcium ash is the only starch found in arrowroot powder. It comes in the form of calcium chloride, a compound that’s essential for maintaining the proper acid and alkaline balance in our bodies.
What Is PH And Why Does It Matter?
PH is the concentration of the hydrogen ion and determines how acidic or alkaline something is. If the pH is low, there is a high acidity, and if the pH is high, there is a low acidity which means it is alkaline or basic. The pH balance of our skin is important because it affects our skin’s ability to protect itself from bacteria and other harmful substances. When our skin’s pH balance is disrupted, it can cause irritation, dryness, and other skin problems. This is why it’s important to use products that are pH balanced, such as natural deodorants that are free of harsh chemicals and irritants. Understanding the pH of different ingredients can help us choose products that are gentle on our skin and promote a healthy pH balance.
The Alkaline Properties Of Arrowroot Powder
Arrowroot powder is known for its alkaline properties due to the presence of calcium ash. The calcium chloride compound found in arrowroot powder plays a crucial role in maintaining the pH balance in our bodies. This is because minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, silver, copper, and iron produce an alkaline ash that helps neutralize the acidity in our body.
In addition to its alkaline properties, arrowroot powder is also a great source of protein and several essential nutrients. It’s easy to digest, making it an ideal food for children and older adults who may require gentler food options.
Arrowroot powder is commonly used in cooking and baking due to its ability to thicken sauces and soups. It’s also a popular ingredient in natural deodorants due to its ability to absorb moisture and prevent odor.
How Arrowroot Powder Affects The Acid-alkaline Balance In Your Body
Arrowroot powder plays a crucial role in maintaining the acid-alkaline balance in our bodies. Recent studies have indicated that consuming alkaline foods and staying hydrated can reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases. Ideally, the pH balance should be towards the alkaline end of the range. However, if the balance shifts towards the acidic range, it can create an unhealthy situation.
In Ayurveda, this phenomenon is referred to as an imbalance of pitta dosha. Arrowroot powder has pitta balancing properties, which means it helps to maintain a healthy pH balance in our bodies. The calcium ash present in arrowroot powder is alkaline and helps to neutralize any excess acidity in the body.
Arrowroot powder has 25% starch, which acts as a mild laxative and helps regulate bowel movements. It also has a demulcent effect that can soothe bowel movements in patients with irritancy to defecate. Arrowroot powder is an effective remedy for digestive problems and diarrhea.
Using Arrowroot Powder In Recipes With Acidic Ingredients
Arrowroot powder is a popular thickening agent that is known to work well with acidic mixtures. It is commonly used in recipes that call for fruit sauces like cranberry sauce or slightly acidic sauces like sweet teriyaki sauce. When using arrowroot powder as a thickener for sauces and gravy, it’s essential to remember a few things.
Firstly, just like with cornstarch, it’s important to make a slurry first. This involves stirring the powder with a small amount of cold liquid until it becomes very smooth. You can use broth, wine, or fruit juice instead of water, depending on the sauce. However, you should avoid adding arrowroot powder to hot liquid as this will cause the starch molecules to swell immediately and form ugly clumps.
It’s also crucial to know that arrowroot will break down at higher temperatures. Unlike cornstarch, which needs to be cooked a bit to reduce that starchy mouthfeel, we do NOT want to cook this starch. That is why we add the slurry at the very end of the recipe, right before serving.
Lastly, it’s important to stick to the amounts listed in the recipe. When added too liberally, your sauce or gravy might turn into a gloppy, jelly mess. So be sure to measure carefully.
Other Uses For Arrowroot Powder And Its PH Level
Aside from its culinary uses, arrowroot powder has a variety of other applications due to its alkaline pH level. One of the most common uses for arrowroot powder is in skincare products. Its fine texture and ability to absorb moisture make it an excellent natural alternative to talc in baby powder and other body powders. Additionally, its alkaline pH level can help balance the acidity of the skin, which can be useful for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Arrowroot powder is also used in natural deodorants as a replacement for baking soda, which can cause irritation for some people due to its alkaline pH level. Arrowroot powder’s neutral pH level makes it a gentler alternative that can still provide odor protection.
Furthermore, arrowroot powder can be used as a thickening agent in homemade cosmetics such as lotions, creams, and makeup products. Its fine texture allows it to blend easily with other ingredients, while its alkaline pH level can help balance the acidity of certain oils and extracts.
Conclusion: Incorporating Arrowroot Powder Into A Balanced Diet
Incorporating arrowroot powder into a balanced diet can provide numerous health benefits. Arrowroot powder is a natural and easy-to-digest source of carbohydrates, protein, and several essential nutrients. It has been used in traditional medicine for its healing and detoxifying properties. Ayurvedic health practitioners recommend consuming about 10-30 grams of arrowroot powder daily, boiled in milk or water to heal health maladies.
Arrowroot powder is also a versatile ingredient in cosmetics, skincare, and personal hygiene products due to its ability to act as a thickener, opacifier, texture enhancer, binding agent, mattifier, moisture absorber, and color modifier. It can replace talc or cornstarch in cosmetic recipes and formulations.
Furthermore, arrowroot powder has immunostimulatory effects in vitro and in vivo. It stimulates IgM production by human hybridoma HB4C5 cells and immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA and IgM) production by splenocytes in vitro. In vivo study indicates that the diet containing arrowroot extracts increased the serum IgG, IgA and IgM levels in mice.
