Acid — the name alone is enough to tell you that it can wreak havoc to anything, and that includes your body. Having an acidic body is a definite no-no. There are a dizzying number of diseases and ailments that the experts associate with being too acidic. They include: stomach ulcers, acid reflux, dry skin, mouth sores, loose teeth, tonsillitis, headaches, fatigue, depression and a weakened immune system.
It’s for these reasons and more why a lot of health-conscious people got very curious with having an alkaline diet. Just like what the name says, the diet primarily focuses on making the body more alkaline rather than acidic. To do this, acid-forming foods are limited in the diet and the consumption of alkalizing foods is increased in order to take the body to an alkaline state, which is somewhere from pH 7.35 to 7.45.
So what are some of the top alkalizing foods around? There are so many of them. One look and you will immediately know that they are good for you. Some of the best alkalizing foods that you may include in your everyday diet are:
- Vegetables – Barley grass, beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, mushrooms, garlic, kale, mustard greens, spinach, nuts, pumpkin, onions, peas, peppers, radish, sprouts, tomatoes, watercress and wheat grass.
- Fruits – Apples, apricot, avocado, banana, berries, cantaloupes, cherries, coconut, dates, grapes, lemon, lime, nectarines, oranges, peach, pears, pineapple, rhubarb and watermelon.
- Others – apple cider vinegar, bee pollen, cinnamon, curry, mineral water, miso, sea salt, tempeh, tofu and whey protein powder.
These are some of the foods that are known to help bring the body to a more alkaline state. You may notice that some of the things mentioned above are obviously acidic in nature, such as in the case of lemons and oranges. Fret not because as soon as they get in the body, all of them turn into alkaline.
So what are the things you should consume less? You don’t really have to memorize a lot of things. Meat, alcohol, caffeine, sugar and anything that’s processed make your body acidic.
Now that you are aware of which foods you should include in your diet more and which ones you should limit, it’s time to know the numerous benefits of going for an alkaline diet:
- Weight loss – Experts say that the consumption of a lot of acidic foods contributes to unnecessary weight gain and obesity. On the other hand, including more alkalizing food in the diet helps nourish the body, flush out toxins and speed up the metabolism. Aside from opting for an alkaline diet, having regular exercise is also important for the attainment and maintenance of your ideal weight.
- Glowing skin – The more junk you pump down your throat, the uglier your complexion tends to get. This doesn’t come as a surprise as flooding your body with toxins which so many acid-forming foods contain can rob your skin of its beautiful, healthy glow. Luckily, embracing an alkaline diet helps in detoxifying the body, leaving your complexion clearer and looking younger. Oh, eating alkalizing foods is also good for your tresses.
- Increased energy – One of the primary indicators that your body is on the acidic side is constant fatigue. The consumption of sugary foods and beverages makes you feel tired and lethargic. The stimulating effect of caffeinated drinks does not really last for a long time, and they actually contribute to your body’s acidic state. So many alkalizing foods supply the body with complex carbohydrates that energize and keep the blood sugar level stable.
- Lighter mood – Feeling down in the dumps is one of the telltale signs that you have an acidic body. With various diseases and ailments associated with an acidic body, it doesn’t come as a shock why you tend to feel glum. Alkalizing foods are packed with all sorts of nutrients that are not only good for the body but also the mind.
- Better sleep – If insomnia is bugging you each night, maybe it’s high time that you consider going on an alkaline diet. The consumption of alkalizing foods helps in restoring the normal balance of chemicals in the body, resulting in a variety of benefits including better sleep at night. It’s no secret that sleep deprivation can cause numerous problems such as obesity, depression, irritability, poor mental functioning and increased risk to a host of diseases.
