Our bodies are most happy at a pH level of about 7.2-7.4. The pH scale ranges from 0-14, where 0 is the most acidic, and 14 is the most alkaline. When there is too much acidity, the body has to rely on it's own precious reserves in order to balance and be within the optimal range, thus aging our bodies faster and robbing us of energy. The more alkaline foods that we consume, the better our bodies are able to fight disease and also stay strong and recover. Naturally, the body constantly wants to heal itself and become perfect, but if we continually stress it out, it loses it's ability to fight. We thrive when we are more alkaline, but unfortunately a lot of standard diets have many acidic foods that promote and harbor illness. Read below about foods that contribute to alkalinity and acidity.
pH of foods (in order of most alkaline to most acidic)
Most alkaline:
baking soda, lime, nectarine, persimmon, raspberry watermelon, tangerine, lentils, yams, onion, daikon, taro root, sea vegetables, burdock, sweet potato, pumpkin seeds
More alkaline: spices, cinnamon grapefruit, cantaloupe, honeydew, citrus, mango, dewberry, loganberry, kohlrabi, parsnip, garlic, kale, parsley, endive, mustard green, ginger root, brocoli, poppy seed, molasses
Low alkaline: herbs (most), lemon, pear, apple, avocado, blackberry, cherry, peach, papaya, eggplant, potato, bell pepper, mushroom, cauliflower, pumpkin, collard-greens, primrose oil, sesame seed, cod liver oil, almonds, sprouts, quail eggs, green or mu tea, rice syrup, apple cider
Lowest alkaline: orange, apricot, banana, blueberry, pineapple, raisin, currant, grape, strawberry, brussel sprouts, beet, chive, okra, turnip greens, squash, lettuces, avocado oil, seeds (most), coconut oil, olive oil, linseed oil, oats, quinoa, wild rice, duck eggs, ginger tea
Lowest acid: curry, guava, dry fruit, figs, dates persimmon juice, spinach, fava beans, kidney beans, string beans, chutney, rhubarb, pumpkin seed oil, grape seed oil, sunflower oil, pine nuts, canola oil, millet, kasha, amaranth, brown rice, wild duck, venison, fish, chicken eggs, cream, yogurt, kona, honey, maple syrup, rice vinegar
Low acid: vanilla, plum, prune, tomato, tofu, pinto beans, white beans, navy beans, adzuki beans, lima beans, chard, almond oil, sesame oil, safflower oil, buckwheat, spelt, wheat, semolina, goose/turkey, lamb/mutton, elk, shellfish, cow and goat milk, aged cheese, soy cheese, black tea, balsamic vinegar.
More acid: nutmeg, cranberry, pomegranite, green peas, peanut, snowpea, legumes, carrots, chickpea, pistachio, pecans, corn rye, oat bran, chicken, pork/veal, muscles/squid, casein, coffee, saccharin
Most acidic: pudding, jam jelly, soybean, hazelnuts, walnuts, brazil nuts, barley, pheasant, beef, lobster, processed cheese, ice cream, beer, sugar, cocoa, white vinegar
--> This image sums up what I wrote pretty well, of course it doesn't include all foods, but it gives you an idea. Basically the more natural foods are within the mildly acidic to highly alkaline range, and this is exactly what the body needs. Where as the most acidic foods are the processed sugars, flours, alcohol, dairy/meat products, etc. Yes there are acidic natural foods as well, but these are what offer a "balance" for the highly alkaline foods, so that the body can meet in the middle at the optimal pH of 7. Just know that it isn't bad to eat acidic foods, but it is good to have a balance!
Hopefully this guide can help you incorporate more fresh and disease fighting alkaline foods into your diet, and I have included some basic guidelines for eating below that will help on your journey to new and thriving health! :)
Basic eating guidelines to maintain health & vital energy :
- Enjoy food in a relaxed atmosphere (not in front of a TV watching CSI)
- Be thankful for your food before every meal, eat purposefully
- Eat portions of food that won't overtax the system
- Eat foods that are high in fiber
- Eat seasonally, and organically grown, and hand pick your food if possible
- Chew food well
- Do not skip meals
- Choose the most fresh food as possible
- Stay hydrated, and try not to drink 20 minutes before or 20 minutes after a meal (because the water dilutes digestive acids making it harder to break down the nutrients)
If you are curious what your current pH level is in your body, and want to see if you are within the optimal range, you can buy pH strips and test easily using the saliva from your mouth.
This post is written by Michael
Adapted from:
The pH Balance Diet Book
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