Articles about Healthy Nutrition
Alkaline Foods - Must For A Balanced Diet
By Navneet Brar
Consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has decreased giving rise to the Western acid-producing diet. Something or the other has to be done to control it otherwise the results will be too disastrous for us to imagine.
Now what is an alkaline diet?
What happens- When we eat, our food gets digested, absorbed, and metabolized, and then it releases either an acid or an alkaline base (bicarbonate) into our blood.
Alkaline levels in our body
Our blood is somewhat alkaline, consisting of a normal pH level between 7.35 and 7.45. An acidic diet disrupts this balance and encourages the loss of essential minerals like potassium, magnesium, calcium, and sodium, as the body tries to restore balance and this imbalance makes you prone to numerous chronic diseases.
If you have noticed the following symptoms in you, then alkaline diet is strongly recommended for you:
1. Lack of energy
2. Excessive mucous production
3. Nasal congestion
4. Frequent colds and flu
5. Anxiety, nervousness, irritability
6. Ovarian cysts, polycystic ovaries, benign breast cysts
7. Headache
Acidic Foods
1. Meats and oils
2. Jams
3. Butter
4. Cookies
5. Frozen foods
6. Ice creams
7. Cranberries
8. Wheat
And almost 90% of our food intake is acidic by nature.
Alkaline Foods
Alkaline diets prevent the formation of calcium kidney stones, osteoporosis, and age-related muscle wasting.
1. Almonds
2. Yogurt
3. Raw milk
4. Soy milk
5. Wheat grass
6. Germ grass
7. Honey
8. Herbal tea
9. All fruits except Cranberries
10. Melons and Grapes- highly alkaline
11. Lemon- Though sour in taste yet not acidifying- Lemonade made with stevia and sea salt is highly alkaline and very refreshing
12. Quinoa, Amaranth, Millet, Buckwheat (grains)- All other grains are highly acidic in nature and should not be taken
Fruits and vegetables if eaten raw also provide a dual purpose of not only energy but also fiber. The heart, the brain, the blood cells, the liver, the kidney all require a body ph of 7.4 for a smooth and optimal functioning. Only an alkaline foods diet can insure that this natural alkaline body ph is restored. An alkaline foods diet is completely opposite to what most of us eat today.
The Greener The Vegetable, The More Alkaline
So when looking for alkaline vegetables, go for the greens like broccoli, asparagus, cabbage, wheat grass, lettuce, and so on are high alkaline foods and are highly beneficial to the body.
Vegetables like mushrooms, onions, peas, pepper bells, parsley, radish, cucumber, tomatoes, potatoes with their peels and garlic though not green vegetables are all the same alkaline foods.
But please stay miles away from the highly-acidic foods like animal flesh, processed food, eggplants, fats and even lentils. These acidic foods are really fatal for the body.
Wheat is an acidic food but wheat grass is alkaline.
Similarly raw spinach is alkaline by nature but if you cook it, it gets highly acidic. Milk is also alkaline but only if it is raw. All processed forms of dairy are acidic and are to be avoided.
Alkaline foods prevents from diseases
Many chronic aliments like cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, coronary diseases, migraines, dental problems, depressions, sinusitis, and many such seemingly common illnesses are the result of acidic foods diet that we are used to. Now, do you realize that why do we suffer from such problems throughout our lives.
Needless to say that when we follow an alkaline foods diet our bodies get alkalinized and the acidic levels gets balanced out thus repelling all germs and strengthening the immune system.
For those who are inclined to non vegetarian diet meats are a clear no. For those looking for some protein there is chicken breast, which is alkaline and can be eaten for good health. Other meats are all acidic and should form no more the 20 % of ones diet.
WARNING-
Remember never to eat just alkaline foods, a bit of acid is also required for a balanced diet. the only thing is to keep your acidic food intake very limited.
Alkaline diet is recommended in different variations for different bodies. First go for a reliable source and purchase a pH balance kit. Measure your alkaline content and then go for the alkaline diet accordingly.
Navneet Brar provides much reliable information on alkaline foods Also for more lifetime benefits, you can go for the most talked about diet plans offering the hidden fitness secrets on my website www.top54u.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Navneet_Brar
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This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Information provided is for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information or products contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. Information and statements regarding our alternative health products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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