The acid-alkaline balance within your body can be disrupted by your diet, producing acidic internal fluids which cause unwanted health problems.
This can be rectified by adopting an alkaline (or alkalizing) diet, which is reflected in low acid levels in the body.
The acidity of a solution (any liquid substance) is measured on the pH scale – termed the ‘power of hydrogen’. The pH scale shows the activity of hydrogen ions present in the sample. The scale is a reverse logarithmic one – high acidity is represented by a low value, and low acidity (that is, alkaline or base substances) by a high value, with acidity level at each ascending step being one tenth that of the previous step.
For example, compared to lemon juice at pH 2.4, orange juice at pH 3.5 is less than one tenth as acidic, and beer at pH 4.5 is less than one hundredth as acidic. The pH of most substances falls between 0 and 14. Gastric acid has a pH of 1.5 to 2 (very acid), pure water 7 (considered to be neutral, neither acid nor alkaline), and household bleach 12.5 (extremely alkaline).
The pH level of the body’s internal fluids affects every cell, and if out-of-balance this will be detrimental to the normal functioning of cells, tissues and organs. The western diet is typically based around meat and dairy products, sugars, alcohol, saturated fats and caffeine, all of which creates an acidic cellular environment. Such an unbalanced pH level can result in health issues like cancer, heart disease, obesity, weight problems, allergies, fatigue and premature aging as well as problems with the nervous system, cardiovascular system and muscles.
The ‘alkalarian’ approach to diet reverses over-acidification in the body, first detoxifying and then creating and maintaining a more alkaline environment in which the body can heal itself.
An alkaline diet is one which produces an alkaline effect on the body, based upon the residue that remains after our foods are consumed or metabolized. Some foods leave an acid residue, others an alkaline residue. Testing of bodily pH levels using pH strips can determine whether a balanced range is generally present (6.75 to 7.25 depending on type of testing – salivary or urinary).
We need to adopt and adhere to an acid reducing lifestyle to achieve the correct balance. This is done by consuming alkalizing foods and drinks, while eliminating acidifying foods and drinks from the diet. In general, if an alkaline diet is recommended, use these guidelines for an alkalarian lifestyle based on a mainly vegetable diet:
Sample alkaline foods to comprise most (75-80%) of your diet. Eat salads, fresh vegetables, healthy nuts and oils, and plenty of raw foods. Drink at least 2-3 liters of clean, pure water daily. | |||
Vegetables
Asparagus Cauliflower Green Beans |
Fruits Avocado Rhubarb Fats & Oils Avocado Borage oil |
Seeds, Nuts, Grains
Almonds Lentils Sunflower |
Drinks
‘Green Drinks’ Herbal Tea |
Sample acid-forming foods to comprise the remainder (20-25%) of your diet. Avoid fatty meats, dairy, cheese, sweets & candy, chocolates, alcohol and tobacco. Beware of hidden content of packaged foods and microwaved meals. Don’t overcook meals – this removes all of the nutrition! | |||
Meats
Beef Fruits All fruits not listed in the alkaline table. |
Dairy Products
Cheese Milk Fats & Oils Corn Oil Margarine |
Drinks
Beers Spirits Convenience Foods Candy/Sweets Fast Food |
Seeds & Nuts
Cashew Nuts Others Artificial Sweeteners Condiments (tomato sauce, mayonnaise etc.) White Bread |
See the Acid Alkaline diet course
Terrifyingly unclear! In the various often-well-intentioned acid-alkaline-forming lists, one finds enormous–and potentially dangerous!–disagreement about (a)foods that create ACID REFLUX and (b)foods that RATE as “acid-forming” but strangely don’t do this. Can anyone clarify? Thanks!
The list is correct, except they have not included low acid fruits like melons etc. I have been on this diet fo four months – due to necessity. I had acid reflux so bad that no medications would help anymore.
I am now acid free! The basis of this diet is to eat mainly fruits and vegetables, what a proper diet should be anyway. It works. I am proof of it.
Grapefruit will tear your stomach up if you have acid reflux. I think you got the list backwards.
I was also confused momentarily, however on re-reading this list, it doesn’t say those grains and pulses are alkaline – it refers to GRASSES(eg wheat grass, barley grass) and SPROUTS/SPROUTED SEEDS (soy sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, mung bean sprouts, chickpea sprouts etc.)
It’s the green shoots and grasses that are alkaline-forming.
For a good book about this topic and more info i found helpful check this out
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/24/health/24brod.html?_r=1
i noticed that this website has distilled water on the alkaline food and drink list. i have read that distilled water can turn the body acidic. im really confused and hope you can clarify this for me.
i am a little confused as every acid/alkaline forming food list i check on the internet has something different.
e.g. in this list it says chickpeas, hummus, tahini, wheat and barley are alkaline.
however in this site in the acid/alkaline forming list it is listed under acid http://www.angelfire.com/az/sthurston/acid_alkaline_foods_list.html
how would i know whether it is acid or not?
i have also checked some other sites where it is listed in the acid foods
There are a few inaacuracies in your lists of acid and alkaline foods. Please check the Mayo Clinic Diet Manual.