Most foods you consume are either acidic or alkaline. Some fruits such as lemons and oranges are acidic when first eaten, but once digested become alkaline. Meat and dairy products are alkaline when first eaten, and once digested they become acidic. In order to have an alkaline diet, you must know which foods are alkaline and which foods are acidic to the body once digested. Consuming foods that are alkaline is much healthier than consuming acidic foods. Having an alkaline diet may prevent serious health related issues from occurring.
Testing
To determine whether your blood is alkaline or acidic, use pH strips to test your urine and saliva. A pH level of 7.0 is neutral; anything above that is alkaline, and anything below is acidic. It is recommended to have a slightly higher alkaline level between 7.35 and 7.45 pH in order to compensate if your body is consuming more acidic food than normal. A buildup of acid in the cells will occur if there are not enough alkaline minerals to be found in the body, according to Rense.com.
Identification
Once you determine your pH level, you can begin to balance your diet of alkaline forming foods and acidic forming foods. Each person is different, but most should focus on a diet consisting of 70 to 80 percent alkaline forming foods, with the remaining percentage made up of acid forming foods, according to Energise For Life. Alkaline minerals found in food that help keep the body healthy and strong include calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium.
Types
Alkaline forming foods include vegetables, fruits, proteins, nuts and spices. The highest alkaline vegetables include carrots, spinach, squash, celery, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, peas, bell pepper, cabbage and potatoes. High alkaline fruits include lemons, watermelon, kiwi, grapes, cantaloupe, pineapple, pears and raisins. Proteins such as poached eggs, yogurt, protein powder, fermented tofu and chicken breast are high alkaline. Sunflower, squash and pumpkin seeds contain alkaline minerals. Spices such as curry, cinnamon, sea salt, herbs and chili pepper are high in alkaline minerals.
Significance
Avoiding food that is acidic is the best way to yield a more alkaline diet. Consuming dairy products such as milk and cheese, fried foods, meat, fish, eggs, processed foods, sweets, alcohol, coffee and soda will give your body more acidity. Instead try lean meats, organic unpasteurized milk, green tea, mineral water, fresh vegetables and fruits.
Effects
The ultimate reasoning behind having an alkaline diet is to avoid having too much acidity in your body. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, when the body produces too much acid, and not enough acid is being removed from the kidneys, metabolic acidosis can occur. In order for the body to function correctly, it is imperative that the blood's acidity and alkalinity be balanced.
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