The natural pH of the human body is slightly alkaline. After foods are digested, they produce a residue, which is called ash. This residue can either be acidic, alkaline or neutral. A typical diet consumed by many Americans consisting of meat, dairy products, refined grains and soda is acid-ash forming. If you eat too may acid-forming foods, your bodily pH may become over-acidic.
Symptoms
Physical symptoms of acidosis, or excessive acid, may include headaches, joint pains, nausea, respiratory issues or muscular seizures. Acidosis may also have an effect on your mental health. If there is too much acidic ash in the body, you may feel depressed or experience mood swings.
Alkaline Foods
You can determine your bodily pH level by requesting a blood test or by dipping pH strips into a saliva or urine sample. If you find you are on the acidic side, you can help to produce a more bodily alkaline environment by eating foods that create an alkaline ash. Alkaline-forming foods include many types of fruit, including breakfast fruits such as grapefruit. Berries and apples are also alkaline forming and can be added to cereals. Most vegetables are alkaline forming and spinach or other leafy greens added to smoothies or savory dishes will provide an alkaline boost. Additionally, hazelnuts and almonds are good sources of alkaline-forming proteins.
Percentage
David Wolfe, who is president of the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, and also author of the book "Eating for Beauty" advises eating a diet 80 to 20 percent in favor of alkaline-forming foods if you have been eating many acid-forming products. If your pH levels are within the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45, he advocates a diet 60 to 40 percent in favor of alkaline-forming foods.
Alkaline Breakfast Juice
If you have time to prepare a fresh juice at breakfast time, juicing a combination of raw carrots, a handful of fresh spinach and three celery stalks makes an alkaline-forming juice to start the day.
Alkaline Breakfast Smoothie
A green smoothie will give your body an alkaline boost, and is simple to prepare as all ingredients are simply added to a small amount of pure water in a blender. Combine a Granny Smith apple with two stalks of celery and half an avocado. Optionally add cilantro or parsley for an additional alkaline boost.
Winter Alkaline Breakfast
During the winter months, you may prefer to eat a warm breakfast. Quinoa is an edible seed that is also a complete protein and will not leave an acidic ash. In order to prepare this warm alkaline-forming breakfast, you will need half a cup of quinoa, a grated apple and the juice of half a lemon. You can also add some raisins and cinnamon to taste. Cook the quinoa according to the packet instructions, then add the apple a few minutes before the quinoa has completed cooking. Stir in the lemon juice, cilantro or raisins after turning of the heat as the quinoa cools.
Expert Insight
Dr. Ben Kim, who is a Canadian chiropractor and acupuncturist, and also an advocate of natural health practices claims that although alkaline-forming vegetables and fruits should be the basis of a healthy diet, individual foods will not have a substantial effect on your pH levels.
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