The best alkaline foods

In our daily lives we consume all kinds of food without knowing the content of acids, nutrients, trace elements, etc. If we could know what is in each fruit, vegetable or tuber that we eat, we could easily maintain good health. In fact, in the great variety of foods we consume, we find acidic foods, which once in excess in the body, can harm our health. This is how alkaline foods, also called alkalizing foods, come into play. Their role is to stabilize the acid-base balance of the body.

 

What is an “alkaline” food?

 

A definition of the term “alkaline” would certainly shed some light. A return to the seventeenth century shows the well established difference between acidic and alkaline foods. Alkaline foods by definition do not contain acid and are characterized by basic products contained in water. Their composition therefore reduces the harmful effect of acidic foods on the body.

 

Acidic and alkaline foods, a matter of balance

 

We now know that the presence of acids in the body is harmful to health.

It is not possible to completely avoid eating acidifying foods. Reducing the amount of acidifying foods is one solution, but the ideal solution is to alkalize, that is, to eat basic or alkaline foods. An alkaline diet is recommended in cases of very high levels of acidity in the blood.  To achieve this, it is important to know which foods are acidic and which are basic or alkaline.

 

List: alkaline foods

 

The classification table of alkaline foods presents these few fruits:

• Alkaline fruits: cherry, banana, date, watermelon, strawberry, blackberry, apricot, raspberry, fig, pear, nectarine, peach, grape…
• Vegetables: spinach, asparagus, avocado, broccoli, carrot, garlic, beet, celery, bell pepper, algae (spirulina, chlorella), pumpkin, cabbage, cucumber, parsley, bell pepper…
• Vegetable proteins: pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, chestnuts, flax seeds…
• Animal proteins: organic fermented milk, fat-free cottage cheese…
• Spices and seasonings: ginger, curry, mustard, red pepper, tamari, cinnamon

It is worth mentioning that beverages, including mineral water, natural fruit juices, green vegetable juices (smoothies), syrups, spring water, green blends of superfoods, unfermented milk are also alkalizing foods that help reduce acids in the body.

 

List: acidic foods or acidic bodies

 

By definition, these are foods that contain acid or have a fairly high acid content. There is a classification table of acidic foods and alkaline foods according to the pral index and according to their ph. Below is a list of some acidifying foods:

• dairy products: butter, cheese, cream, cow’s or sheep’s milk
• Acidic fruits: pineapple, kiwi, orange
• Fats: corn, avocado, sunflower, olive, grape, sesame and hemp oils
• Cereals: barley, rice, corn, rye, oats, wheat
• Vegetable proteins: peanuts, soy milk, green peas, cashews, black beans, hazelnuts, chickpeas
• Animal proteins: duck, rabbit, pork, lamb, turkey, chicken (except chicken breast), fish, shrimp, lobster,

Alcoholic beverages, sweeteners, sweets and yeasts that are suitable for acids are also distinguished. It should be noted that vegetable proteins are to be preferred, unlike animal proteins which are more acidic foods. The preservatives contained in industrial products and organic foods are a source of acid for the body.

 

Living better thanks to the alkaline diet

 

In order to be in good health and to avoid diseases related to a high concentration of acid in the blood, we need to eat basic foods. This is an acid-base diet. This diet can be recommended to anyone who has a high level of acid in the blood. This condition results in certain ailments: fatigue, headaches, bloating, high blood pressure, stress, nervousness, overweight. This is why it is necessary to limit or reduce acidifying foods and to regularly consume basic or alkalizing foods.

 

The acid-base diet

 

The acid-base diet does not consist only in the consumption of non-acidic foods. It also requires the practice of good hygiene habits, in particular: consume alkaline foods, in particular natural products; regularly carry out a lemon cure, practice physical activity, hydrate constantly and drink at least two liters of water a day and take teas and herbal teas (green tea, ginseng). Getting involved in sports promotes the natural evacuation of acids. Thanks to sweating, about 80% of the waste products are expelled from the body.

It should also avoid a large consumption of meat and give preference to vegetable proteins, natural fruit juices accompanied by spirulina or chlorella. The nutritional properties of spirulina are innumerable and thanks to its chlorophyll, it allows the body to strengthen its immune system, fight obesity, and maintain the acid-base balance. The consumption of vegetables is also very important in an acid-base diet. Their high content of mineral salts, vitamins and water, helps to promote the acid-base balance of the body.

 

The disadvantages of the acid-base diet

 

The studies conducted to date have not shown any disadvantages of the acid-base diet. However, some people, for reasons of taste and habit, find it difficult to include vegetables and fruit in their diet. A high consumption of fruit can cause disturbances for these people. It is therefore wise to introduce them gradually to avoid this inconvenience.

For those who are used to alcoholic beverages, chips and coffee, it would be ideal to gradually integrate the consumption of alkaline drinks or infusions. One of the most popular and well-known alkaline drink recipes is lemon water. Lemon, although acidic outside the body, becomes an alkaline food during the digestion process. When added to water, it is an effective alkaline drink to restore the acid-base balance of the body.

 

Conclusion

Acidifying foods are as important as non-acidic foods. The lifestyle in big cities and even in the countryside creates a tendency to eat acidic foods, which leads to the presence of acids in the body. The choice of a basic diet or an alkalizing diet is an effective solution to restore the acid-base balance and thus avoid diseases.