Your body is able to maintain the correct pH of the blood via a buffering system, exhalation of carbon dioxide or elimination of hydrogen through the kidneys. The objective to eating natural alkaline foods is to reduce the stress on the internal buffering systems in order to maintain the proper pH range of 7.35 to 7.45. By eating foods that are naturally alkaline, you help the body to maintain an appropriate pH that allows optimal cellular function. In the alkaline foods discussed below, you will notice that there is no meat listed. This is because meat is naturally acidic.
Fruits
Most fruits may begin with an acid pH before they are eaten, but usually leave an alkaline residue in the body after metabolism, according to Connective Tissue Disorders. According to Dr. Ben Kim, fruits that make the highly alkaline list include lemons, limes, honeydew, mango, kiwi, pears, pineapple, raisins, apples, apricots, bananas, grapefruit, nectarines and oranges. Many of these fruits are citrus and highly acidic prior to being eaten but leave an alkaline ash in the body after metabolism.
Oils
Many people use oils while cooking and they are also found in processed foods. According to Alkaline-Alkaline.com, butter and corn oil are acidic foods. However, the healthier olive oil, flax seed oil and canola oils are metabolized as alkaline in the body. Coconuts are also alkaline and provide a healthier oil for cooking.
Dairy
Most dairy products are acidic in nature, according to Alkaline-Alkaline.com. However, soy-based and goat milk-based products are alkaline in nature. Human breast milk is also alkaline. Soy cheese, soy milk, and goat milk, goat cheese and whey all have alkaline ash as their metabolic byproduct. However, there are no highly alkaline dairy products. Soy-based products and goat milk-based products are only mildly alkaline while cheeses, homogenized milk and ice cream are all highly acidic. This indicates that diets high in dairy products can stress your buffering systems in the body which helps to maintain your acid-base pH balance.
Vegetables
As with fruits, vegetables may be acidic in nature, but will leave an alkaline ash in the body. According to Connective Tissue Disorders, most vegetables are alkaline after metabolism except for corn and beans, which are acidic. This means that other vegetables in your diet, including lettuce, mushrooms, zucchini, peppers, broccoli, parsley, asparagus and cauliflower, are but a few of the vegetables which will be metabolized as alkaline and help to maintain your acid-base balance by reducing the stress on your buffering systems.
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