Except for pure water, all foods are either acid-forming or alkaline-forming in the body. A food’s acid content isn't an indication of its pH nature in the body; citrus fruits, for example, are chemically acidic, but also alkaline-forming. Processed and sugary foods, dairy products, meat, poultry, fish and most grains, nuts and legumes produce varying amounts of acidic residues. Because of the body’s limited capacity for acid removal, diets emphasizing acid-forming foods causes the body to store excess acids for later removal. Long-term acid buildup tilts the body’s pH toward acidity, a condition called chronic metabolic acidosis. Consuming an alkalizing diet can reverse acidosis and return the body to its natural homeostasis.
Metabolic Acidosis
Research suggests most Americans suffer from a state of chronic low-grade metabolic acidosis, according to the “Acid Alkaline Food Guide,” because the standard American diet, or SAD, emphasizes animal protein and processed and sugary foods. Cells and tissues require a slightly alkaline environment for proper function, so even a slight acidic tilt of bodily fluids impairs the transfer of energy at a cellular level. An excessively acidic environment can cause pain and diminished organ function. Chronic metabolic acidosis sets the stage for numerous diseases and illnesses. According to the “Encyclopedia of Healing Foods” and the “Acid Alkaline Food Guide,” the condition is linked to cancer, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue, inflammation, accelerated muscle loss and diminished immunity.
Toxic Load Reduction
Replacing all acid-forming beverages with alkalizing ones helps reduce your body’s toxic load. Acidifying beverages include alcohol, decaffeinated and regular coffee, black tea, cow’s milk and regular and diet soft drinks. Increasing your water intake is a critical component of toxic load reduction. If your tap water is heavily chlorinated, however, use a filter or drink bottled water, because chlorine is acid-forming. One of the most alkalizing drinks is noncarbonated mineral water flavored by fresh lemon or lime juice. Other alkalizing beverages include unsweetened herbal, green, ginger and rooibos tea, and soy and goat’s milk. Fresh, unsweetened fruit juices are also alkalizing, with the exception of cranberry juice.
Boost Alkaline Reserves
Once you’re consuming only alkalizing beverages, increase your consumption of alkaline-forming foods to boost your alkaline reserves. Most vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices are alkalizing; exceptions include cranberries, plums and prunes. Add four servings of vegetables a day to your diet by snacking on raw vegetables or eating homemade vegetable soup or a large salad. Store-bought dressings typically contain acid-forming added sugar, so dress salads with alkalizing olive oil or fresh lemon juice instead. You can also boost your alkaline reserves by consuming fresh vegetable juice blends. Limit your consumption of moderately to highly acid-forming whole or refined wheat products to once a day. Choose alkalizing grains such as quinoa or wild rice, or less acidifying grains like brown rice or barley.
Alkalizing Diet Plan
After successfully increasing your intake of vegetables and reducing your consumption of wheat products, eliminate processed foods and all sources of added sugar from your diet. Increase your intake of fresh fruits, aiming for a total of six to eight servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Gradually shift the ratio of acidifying to alkalizing foods until your diet is 70 to 80 percent alkaline-forming, a ratio that supports an alkaline body pH. Achieve this balance within each meal by making sure 70 to 80 percent of the food on your plate is alkalizing. Salmon is moderately acid-forming in the body, for example, so serve it over a large salad or with quinoa and roasted vegetables.
References
- “Encyclopedia of Healing Foods”; Michael Murray, N.D., et al.; 2005
- “The pH Balance Diet”; Bharti Vyas, et al.; 2007
- “Acid Alkaline Food Guide”; Dr. Susan E. Brown, et al.; 2006
- “Alkalize or Die”; Dr. Theodore A. Baroody; 1991
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