5 Things You Need to Know About an Alkaline Diet

1. Return to Your Roots

The Alkaline diet, sometimes called the Acid Alkaline diet, promotes eating a diet similar to the one our ancestors ate before domestication. Research indicates our ancestors' diet consisted of unprocessed plant and animal foods. With domestication, people consumed more grains, milk, cheese and salt. Modern technology processes most foods with preservatives and artificial flavors. The Alkaline diet attempts to switch your diet from processed foods to more natural foods.

2. Reduce Acid Production

The normal pH level for humans ranges from 7.35 to 7.45, which is slightly alkaline. As food digests, it releases acid or alkaline into our blood. Foods like grains, fish, cheese and salt increase the acid levels in our blood whereas vegetables and fruits produce alkaline. The body tries to restore balance to the body by using its stores of minerals like potassium, calcium and sodium. The founders of the Alkaline diet believe that the imbalance causes chronic diseases like Crohn's Disease.

3. Test Your pH Levels

You can test your pH level through your saliva or urine. Most people prefer to use hydration pH testing strips which most health food stores sell. The strip changes color to indicate your pH level; you hold the strip to a chart that shows the pH scale based on color. The pH scale covers a range from 0 to 14 with the 7 range being healthy.

4. Restore Balance to Your Life

Weight loss shouldn't be your only goal on the Alkaline diet. If you eat too many alkaline foods, you move out of the healthy pH range, which causes as many problems as having too much acid in your system. Emotions affect your pH level almost as much as food. Pleasant feelings, such as joy or contentment, increase alkaline levels whereas anger, frustration and hate increase your acid levels. Balancing your life with the foods you eat and handling your emotions will help your pH level stay in the optimal range.

5. Improve Your Quality of Life

People who experience chronic fatigue, low energy levels, nasal congestion, headaches, anxiety or irritability may see a decrease in these symptoms when using the Alkaline diet. If you have tried other diets and don't see results, consider switching to this diet. Some supporters view the Alkaline diet as more of a way of life rather than a diet, as it is not a short-term fix to weight loss. Other symptoms that improve with this diet include weak hair and nails, digestive disorders, allergies, muscle spasms and cysts.