The seven great alkaline foods are; Celery, cucumbers, kale, spinach, broccoli, red peppers and avocados.
Lynda
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Human blood pH should be slightly alkaline (7.35 - 7.45). Below or above this range means symptoms and disease. If blood pH moves below 6.8 or above 7.8, cells stop functioning and the body cells die. The body therefore continually strives to balance pH. When this balance is compromised many problems can occur.
An imbalanced diet high in acidic-producing foods such as animal protein, sugar, caffeine, and processed foods puts pressure on the body's regulating systems to maintain pH neutrality. The extra buffering required can deplete the body of alkaline minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, making the person prone to chronic and degenerative disease. Minerals are borrowed from vital organs and bones to buffer (neutralize) the acid and safely remove it from the body.
Understanding How an Alkaline Diet Works
Alkaline diets are a popular choice for people who want to achieve optimum good health. However, many people don't actually understand this diet or how it works. The concept is actually fairly simple - the diet just focuses on regaining the balance that was lost when man started to eat a more domesticated diet. Instead of focusing on foods that are high in sugar, simple carbohydrates (like white bread and chips) and fatty meat and dairy... an alkaline diet primarily moves the balance toward fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, wholesome protein sources such as beans and legumes, and healthy oils such as olive and flax seed.
These foods may be either alkaline or acid in their natural state, but after the process of digestion they all produce what is termed as an "alkaline ash" once digested and metabolized by the body. When the body's pH is kept at a slightly alkaline level, all the systems can work more efficiently.
Use the food charts below to make your lifestyle more alkaline and reap the benefits of vibrant health and abundant energy...
BEANS, VEGETABLES, LEGUMES
High Alkaline: Vegetable Juices, Parsley, Raw Spinach, Broccoli, Celery, Garlic, Barley Grass
Alkaline: Carrots, Green Beans, Lima Beans, Beets, Lettuce, Zucchini, Carob
Low Alkaline: Squash, Asparagus, Rhubarb, Fresh Corn, Mushrooms, Onions, Cabbage, Peas, Cauliflower, Turnip, Beetroot, Potato, Olives, Soybeans, Tofu
Low Acid: Sweet Potato, Cooked Spinach, Kidney Beans
Acid: Pinto Beans, Navy Beans
High Acid: Pickled Vegetables
FRUIT
High Alkaline: Dried Figs, Watermelon, Lemons
Alkaline: Dates, Blackcurrant, Grapes, Papaya, Kiwi, Berries, Apples, Pears
Low Alkaline: Coconut, Sour Cherries, Tomatos, Oranges, Cherries, Pineapple, Peaches, Avocados, Grapefruit, Mangoes, Strawberries, Papayas, Raisins, Limes, uncooked or processed tomatoes
Low Acid: Blueberries, Cranberries, Bananas, Plums, Processed Fruit Juices
Acid: Canned Fruit, cooked tomatoes
High Acid: none
GRAINS, CEREALS
High Alkaline: none
Alkaline: none
Low Alkaline: Amaranth, Lentils, Sweetcorn, Wild Rice, Quinoa, Millet, Buckwheat
Low Acid: Rye Bread, Whole Grain Bread, Oats, Brown Rice
Acid: White Rice, White Bread, Pastries, Biscuits, Pasta
High Acid: none
MEAT
High Alkaline: none
Alkaline: none
Low Alkaline: none
Low Acid: Liver, Oysters, Organ Meat
Acid: Fish, Turkey, Chicken, Lamb
High Acid: Beef, Pork, Veal, Shellfish, Canned Tuna & Sardines
EGGS & DAIRY
High Alkaline: none
Alkaline: Breast Milk
Low Alkaline: Soy Cheese, Soy Milk, Goat Milk, Goat Cheese, Buttermilk, Whey
Low Acid: Whole Milk, Butter, Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, Cream, Ice Cream
Acid: Eggs, Camembert, Hard Cheese
High Acid: Parmasan, Processed Cheese
NUTS & SEEDS
High Alkaline: none
Alkaline: Hazelnuts, Almonds
Low Alkaline: Chestnuts, Brazils, Coconut
Low Acid: Pumpkin, Sesame, Sunflower Seeds
Acid: Pecans, Cashews, Pistachios
High Acid: Peanuts, Walnuts
OILS
High Alkaline: none
Alkaline: none
Low Alkaline: Flax Seed Oil, Olive Oil, Butter
Low Acid: Corn Oil, Sunflower Oil, Margarine, Lard
Acid: none
High Acid: none
BEVERAGES
High Alkaline: Herb Teas, Lemon Water
Alkaline: Green Tea
Low Alkaline: Ginger Tea
Low Acid: Cocoa
Acid: Wine, Soda/Pop
High Acid: Tea (black), Coffee, Beer, Liquor
SWEETENERS, CONDIMENTS
High Alkaline: Stevia
Alkaline: Maple Syrup, Rice Syrup
Low Alkaline: Raw Honey, Raw Sugar
Low Acid: White Sugar, Processed Honey
Acid: Milk Chocolate, Brown Sugar, Molasses, Jam, Ketchup, Mayonnaise, Mustard, Vinegar
High Acid: Artificial Sweeteners
Foods: are they Acid or Alkaline-forming?
Note that a food's acid or alkaline-forming tendency in the body has nothing to do with the actual pH of the food itself. For example, lemons are very acidic, however the end-products they produce after digestion and assimilation are alkaline so lemons are alkaline-forming in the body. Likewise, meat will test alkaline before digestion but it leaves acidic residue in the body so, like nearly all animal products, meat is classified as acid-forming. Tomatoes are another fruit/vegetable that is alkaline in its raw state and metabolized alkaline but after it is cooked or processed it metabolizes acidic in the body.