Modifying your diet isn't easy, especially when you're looking to improve your health. That said, developing a focus for your new diet is the first step toward success. Looking at a food's acidity and alkalinity can help you develop a healthy eating plan that focuses on the appropriate pH balance for your body.
Food and Your Blood pH Balance
A healthy range for your blood pH to fall between is 7.35 and 7.45. This is considered to be slightly alkaline. Anything above a pH of 7 is alkaline, while anything below is considered acidic. Deterring from this healthy range may be a sign of illness, especially if your pH is acidic. An acidic blood pH may damage your body, making your immune system weak and much more difficult for you to absorb nutrients.
Foods High in Acidity
While citrus fruits are acidic outside of the body, once inside, they turn alkaline. However, numerous other fruits are truly acidic, including cranberries, plums and blueberries. Other produce that falls under the acidic category includes corn, lentils and olives. Grains are especially acidic with items like rice, wheat, flour, kamut, barley, oats, rye, bran, breads, pasta and crackers topping the list. Some beans, legumes and nuts qualify, such as soy, pinto beans, kidney beans, red beans, chick peas, black beans, lentils, tahini, walnuts, pecans, peanuts and cashews. Dairy products qualify as acidic in some cases, with products like milk and ice cream standing out. Meats, too, can be acidic, including items like shellfish, poultry, beef, lamb, organ meats and fish. Consider avoiding acidic products like coffee, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, prescription medications and soda.
Foods High in Alkalinity
Alkaline foods should make up the majority of your diet. Vegetables like broccoli, beets, carrots, eggplant, cauliflower, cucumber, chard, green beans, peppers, garlic, spirulina, kale, lettuce, onion, mushrooms, radish, watercress, wheat grass and sweet potatoes fall on the alkaline side of the pH scale. Some fruits are alkaline as well, including apple, cantaloupe, grapefruit, orange, peach, pear, pineapple, apple, avocado, berries, currants, banana, cherries, watermelon, rhubarb and tomato. Other foods that are alkaline include whey, almonds, chestnuts, tofu and spices like sea salt, ginger, cinnamon and curry.
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