Health Benefits of an Alkaline Diet
Many of the foods recommended by the alkaline diet are nutrient-dense, low calorie alternatives to traditional dietary choices. The diet promotes eating mostly organic plant-based food high in Vitamin C, selenium, iron, and zinc. All of which support gut health and the immune system. Sweet red peppers, broccoli, and carrots promote healthy skin due to their high concentrations of vitamin A.
When you avoid foods high in omega-6 fatty acids, you reduce your levels of arachidonic acid, which causes the inflammation associated with heart disease and joint pain. The alkaline diet also encourages you to avoid processed foods and refined sugars; neither offer any nutritional benefits and both are common causes of diet related diseases.
Our bodies must maintain a blood pH of around 7.4 in order to survive. This is somewhat alkaline on the pH scale. The kidneys are one of the most important organs in our bodies for maintaining our internal pH. Any excess acids in our system are filtered out and excreted in urine.
When we eat too many acid-forming foods, we create a problem. The acid wastes from these foods can’t always be processed by the kidneys, causing acids to build up in our tissues.
The quality of the alkaline diet enhances nutrition and the many benefits of eating whole, organic food. Nutrition affects gut health and overall wellness. Alkaline hydration makes it all work effectively. You will see this in your results.
You are what you eat. Change what you consume and we know you will feel the difference.
What Is An Alkaline Diet?
The alkaline diet promotes foods that your body reacts to favorably influencing the all sought after acid-base homeostasis. The basic plan includes choosing whole, raw, organic fruits and vegetables. These foods produce what is referred to as a net alkaline effect. An alkaline environment within the body helps weight loss efforts, increases energy, helps with better sleep, balances moods and can help to boost the immune system.
Alkalizing foods should make up 80 percent of your diet, according to experts. The remaining 20% can be acid-forming food neutralizers, but they should be limited to a minimum.
When at all feasible, pick fresh, organic foods. Getting adequate minerals to assist your body neutralize acid wastes is an important aspect of an alkalizing diet. Organic foods have been proven to have a higher nutritional value than non-organic meals. This, together with mineral water hydration packs, will ensure that you obtain the maximum amount of minerals.
What are Alkaline Fruits and Vegetables?
Alkalizing properties can be found in all vegetables. It’s better to eat them in their most natural state – that is either raw or steamed. You’ll be well on your way to a more alkaline diet if you simply eat more vegetables. Eating raw fruit is another great way to alkalize your body. Most fruits are good choices except for blueberries, plums and cranberries.
Sometimes alkalizing fruits and vegetables can be confusing. For example, both lemons and apple cider vinegar are metabolized to raise ph. This is because the amount of acid wastes released when a food is digested determines whether it is alkalizing or acidifying. These waste compounds, not the acidity of the food, have an impact on pH.
Cruciferous vegetables are among the best options for promoting alkalinity. Peas, berries, citrus fruits, and melons are also known to be base-producing. Processed oils, nuts, refined grains, alcohol, and animal protein are believed to have a net acidic effect.
Five to eight servings of fruits and vegetables per day are recommended, with a focus on leafy greens and low-sugar fruits.
What Foods Are Acidic? What Foods Should Be Avoided?
The Western diet contributes to high acidity levels. Dairy, sweets, meats, and grains can all create a lower pH level and which is more acidic. Your body might become acidic because of your metabolism in addition to the meals you eat. Waste products are formed while your body burns food for energy. These waste materials have a high level of acidity. The body must either neutralize or eliminate the acid that is created during metabolism.
Acid-forming foods include those high in protein, sulfur, and phosphate. If your are looking to improve your pH levels by consuming a more alkaline diet, the following acidic foods should be avoided or consumed in moderation.
Top 10 Alkaline Foods
- Garlic
- Mustard Greens
- Avocado
- Figs
- Ginseng
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Almonds
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Green Tea
- Tomatoes
Top 10 Acidic Foods
- Lard
- Peanut Butter
- Cranberries
- White Pasta and Bread
- Beef
- Corn Oil
- Pork
- Potatoes
- Beer or Alcohol
- Butter
Does the Alkaline Diet Work?
An alkaline diet is designed to stop our our bodies from steal calcium from our bones to restore the ph (acid-base) homeostasis when blood becomes too acidic. It’s important to establish the specific goals and indicators of success to see if the alkaline diet that you choose to follow is working the way you want it to.
What are the health goals that you are looking to accomplish:
Lose weight? Have more energy? Build muscle?
From a purely nutritional standpoint, the alkaline diet is a healthy option. It centers heavily around fruits and vegetables, rather than meat and grains. Researchers suggest the absence of plant foods, excessive consumption of meat, saturated fat, simple sugars, and starchy foods contribute to many common health problems.
Drinking Alkaline Water is a must for anyone on this Diet. The benefits of Alkaline water gives your body to absorb the nutrients that are in the food you are consuming more aggressively than without. Hydration is a key factor in getting your body Alkaline. When you are dehydrated the acid-alkaline balance of your body can be disrupted.
We all know that your way of life has an impact on your overall health and happiness, but lifestyle directly affects your pH and now we know that pH has a direct impact on the likelihood of becoming a victim of disease. Diet, activity, stress levels, and the type of air you breathe all have an impact on your body’s pH.
Eating a nutrient dense, alkaline diet is one of the most effective strategies to improve your health. Your pH level can be affected by the items you eat. This may not seem crucial, but if your body is overly acidic, it can lead to a range of health issues. In an acidic environment, virtually all diseases thrive. Inflammation, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, autoimmune illness, chronic pain, and other chronic disorders have all been related to too much acidity.
Understanding pH levels, the signs of high acidity in the body, and which foods are acidic or alkaline can all help you live longer and better.