A diet with equal proportions of acid and alkaline foods can help to prevent diseases caused by an excess of acid accumulation, according to the book "The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods." Alkaline foods have a pH greater than 7 and give up few or no hydrogen ions, which act to counter problems caused by highly acidic foods. The zone of optimal health is between pH 7.36 to pH 7.42 and highly alkaline foods can help reach this range.
Dairy
Highly alkaline dairy foods include raw, whole milk, fresh butter and soft unriped cheeses, according to Christopher Vasey and Jon Graham in the book "The Acid-Alkaline Diet for Optimum Health." If the body is in need of alkaline compounds, it will draw from the body's tissues causing a heavy acidification of the internal environment, Vasey and Graham say. This can result in a persistent state of fatigue, lowered body temperature, weight loss and a tendency towards infection. Eating highly alkaline dairy foods can help balance high acidity levels.
Vegetables
Vegetables are by far the most alkaline foods, according to Felicia Kilment in the book "The Acid-Alkaline Balance Diet." Starchy carbohydrates such as potatoes are alkaline, while beet greens, fennel, asparagus, pepppers, artichokes and celery stalks are highly alkaline, according to Kilment. Vasey and Graham recommend eating raw vegetables to garner the full alkalinizing effect as the cooking process can diminish the alkaline minerals such as potassium.
Nuts
The most highly alkaline nuts are almonds and Brazil nuts, according to Harish Johari in the book "Ayurvedic Healing Cuisine." Not only do these nuts counteract acidic toxic build-up, they also provide an excellent source of protein, as well as carbohydrates, vitamins, calcium, phosphorous and iron, Johari says. To garner the full alkalizing effect ,Johari recommends blanching the almonds before consuming.
References
- "The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods"; Michael Murray et al.; 2005
- "The Acid-Alkaline Diet for Optimum Health"; Christopher Vasey and Jon Graham; 2006
- "The Acid-Alkaline Balance Diet"; Felicia Kliment; 2002
- "Ayurvedic Healing Cuisine"; Harish Johari; 2000
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