The human body works hard to maintain a very strict internal pH balance. However, most of the foods Americans consume on a daily basis are acid-producing after digestion. This leads to a number of physical problems and even disease. Following an alkaline diet helps promote the natural pH balance that the body strives for while fighting against disease and other ailments.
The Body's pH
According to the Merck Manual, the blood's acid-base balance is tightly controlled within the body. A minimal change in the body's pH can severely affect many organs. The pH scale ranges from 0, which is strongly acidic to 14, strongly basic with neutral being in the middle, at 7. The normal pH of the body is 7.35 to 7.45, which is considered slightly basic, or alkaline. However, the body's acidity increases when the level of acidic components in the body rises, especially through dietary intake.
Acid-Forming Foods to Avoid
Pure Liquid Gold reports that the typical American diet is high in acid-forming foods such as animal products--meat, dairy and eggs; white flour and sugar; carbonated beverages; coffee; artificial chemical sweeteners and some medications. Foods change pH when digested, a food that is highly basic in its natural state, such as honey, creates an acid ash after digestion. An acidic pH can also result from toxic overload, immune reactions and emotional stress. The body will attempt to restore pH by utilizing alkaline minerals in the body. If these minerals are not present from the diet, acid will build up in the cells.
Effects of Acidosis
Balance-pH-Diet website says excess acid corrodes tissues and organs, disrupting cellular actives and ultimately leading to illness. In addition, an acidic environment is favorable for the growth of bacteria and viruses, resulting in infection. Common symptoms related to excessive acid in the body include joint pain and arthritis; weight gain; allergies; chronic fatigue; heart attack; acne; and frequent headaches, colds and bronchitis. An acidic environment also causes the body to decrease its absorption of minerals and nutrients, and cellular energy production, and it causes tumor cells to thrive.
What is an Alkaline Diet?
As reported by the Alkaline Diet Encyclopedia, an alkaline diet is a way of eating that highlights foods that have an alkalinizing effect on the body. An alkaline diet is typically 80 percent alkaline producing and 20 percent acid producing. An easy alkaline diet is composed of primarily fruit and vegetables, with little dairy, fish, cheese and cereal. Foods such as lemons, limes, avocados, tomatoes, cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower, onions, leeks, almonds, pumpkin, flaxseed, fresh vegetable juice and soy milk are alkaline in nature and should be selected.
How to Increase Alkaline-Rich Foods
According to Acid-Alkaline Diet, consuming an alkaline diet can be confusing and even difficult at first. However, there are some tips to make eating a healthy alkaline diet easy. Eat salads and cook with herbs and spices instead of fat and meat. Do not overcook vegetables as it not only reduces their nutritional content, but also causes acidification. Eating an alkaline diet does not mean that acidic foods have to be completely avoided, however; combining these foods with alkaline foods will optimize digestion. The easiest way to increase alkaline foods is to replace processed grains, artificial sugars, meat and dairy products with fruits and vegetables.
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