The benefits of balancing the diet with acidic & alkaline foods
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If you often feel heavy in your body, suffer from headaches, keep getting sick again and again, or are simply very tired and lacking energy, your body may be out of balance. pH levels matter far more than you might think, and many illnesses thrive better in acidic environments.
Eating more alkaline food helps the body keep its pH level in balance. One tip is to try eating 70 percent alkaline foods and 30 percent acid-forming foods. A good rule is also to eat more fruit and vegetables.
What are acidic and alkaline foods?
Eating according to the food's pH level means that food is divided into acidic, neutral, and alkaline. Research shows that there may be benefits to eating food with an alkaline pH level, that is, a value above seven on the scale
Acidic food: Food that contains sugar, milk, gluten, semi-finished and processed food, meat, fish, coffee, alcohol, soft drinks, candy, chips, and the like.
Benefits of an alkaline diet
A balanced diet with more alkaline foods than acidic ones can have several health benefits, including:
- Normal Digestion: An alkaline diet may help reduce inflammation and improve digestion.
- Normal Kidney Function: When we eat too much acidic food, our kidneys have to work harder to filter out the excess acid. An alkaline diet can reduce stress on the kidneys and improve their function.
- Maintaining energy: An alkaline diet may help increase energy levels and improve tiredness and fatigue.
- Normal bone health: An alkaline diet may help prevent osteoporosis by reducing the amount of calcium eliminated from the body.
- Increasing resistance to chronic diseases: A balanced diet with more alkaline foods may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Which foods are acidic or alkaline?
Knowing which foods are acidic or alkaline is essential for maintaining a balanced diet.
Here is a list of some common foods and how they affect the body's acid-base balance:
Alkaline foods
Vegetables (spinach, broccoli, cabbage), fruit (apples, bananas, oranges, lemon, blueberries), legumes (lentils, chickpeas), nuts (almonds, cashews), seeds (chia seeds, sunflower seeds).
Here are some recommendations for alkaline superfoods and their benefits that you can use in your daily diet:
- Blueberries - Blueberries are a source of antioxidants, flavonoids, and vitamin C. They can help improve memory and cognitive function, and may also help reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Kale - Kale is a source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is also high in fiber and may help improve digestion and reduce inflammation.
- Avocado - Avocado is a source of healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins. It may help improve heart health, reduce inflammation, and improve skin health.
- Chia seeds - Chia seeds are a source of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and fiber. They may help reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and lower blood sugar levels.
- Quinoa - Quinoa is a source of protein, fiber, and antioxidants. It is also gluten-free and may help improve heart health, lower blood sugar levels, and reduce inflammation.
- Spices - Certain spices, such as turmeric and ginger, have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and may help improve health in various ways.
Acidic foods
Meat (beef, pork, chicken), dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt), grains (wheat, rice), sugar (soft drinks, candy, pastries), caffeine (coffee, tea).
It is important to remember that there is no single food that can provide all the nutrients the body needs. Even if a food is acidic, that does not mean it is bad for your health. A balanced diet that includes a variety of foods, superfoods including vegetables, fruit, proteins, and healthy fats, is important for maintaining good health. That is why we at Superfood & berries have focused on and adapted our products to complement your diet, for example if you want to support the stomach, your hormone balance, immune system, skin & hair etc.
Conclusion
Having a balanced diet with more alkaline foods can have several health benefits, including improved digestion, increased energy, better bone health, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases. It is important to know which foods are acidic or alkaline in order to maintain a balanced diet. Including a variety of alkaline foods in the diet, superfoods including vegetables, fruit, nuts, and seeds, can be a good start toward achieving a more balanced diet.
Sources:
Harvard Health Publishing. (2018). The truth about acidic foods and the alkaline diet.
Medical News Today. (2019). What are the benefits of an alkaline diet?
Healthline. (2021). Acidic vs. alkaline foods: What’s the difference?
Livsmedelsverket. (2019). Dietary advice for adults.
Kurera. (2019). Acidic or alkaline diet?
Dietist.net. (2019). Acidic or alkaline diet – is there any point in eating alkaline? Retrieved from