You can be asking yourself why you should eat alkaline foods, yet you have a balanced diet. That is an essential question because alkaline foods are beneficial, and thus it is essential to be knowledgeable about them. Also, you can be asking yourself what are alkaline foods and you would like to know where to buy them. An alkaline diet also referred to as alkaline acid foods diet is a mixture of unrelated foods that affect the body’s pH. If you keep eating acid-forming foods, you run the risk of unwanted weight gain and osteoporosis. Therefore, you have to balance this out by having an alkaline diet.
A food’s pH is not measured by its physical or chemical properties, but it is measured by the residue it leaves in the body. For example, a lemon is considered acidic because of its sour taste but it makes the body alkaline, and thus it is an alkaline food. Therefore foods have to be measured to determine if they are acidic or alkaline. This is done using the Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL). PRAL measures food after being metabolized, and the results can be neutral, positive, or negative.
If the result of a particular food is negative after being metabolized in the body, then that food is alkaline. The scale measures the proteins, phosphorus, and minerals such as potassium and calcium remaining in the body after the particular type of food has been metabolized. On the PRAL scale, the acidic foods are meat and dairy products whereas those that are alkaline are fruits, some nuts and seeds, and vegetables Now that you have understood what are alkaline foods, let’s look at its benefits. This alkaline food review will tell you why you should eat alkaline foods.
They Prevent Cancer
A debate has been going on in the science field whereby some scientists think alkaline foods have nothing to do with cancer prevention while others believe they play a significant part. However, it was confirmed that cancerous cells survive in an acidic environment. Therefore, if you balance the blood’s pH by eating alkaline foods to create an alkaline environment, then the cells will not survive.
The acidic environment of the body has been linked to osteoporosis. Many people have a problem with their bone health, and they are susceptible to fractures. Fortunately, it was confirmed that alkaline foods encourage osteoblasts. Osteoblasts are cells which form new bones encouraging a healthy bone mass. Therefore people who eat alkaline foods are strong and healthy.
Lowers the Risk of Hypertension
Eating alkaline foods is essential as it reduces the risk of hypertension. The diet increases the production of hormones and inflammation. Therefore, they improve the cardiovascular health which in turn lowers the risk of high blood pressure also called hypertension.
Increases Magnesium in the body
The deficiency of magnesium is a problem for the body. Fortunately, this is not the case if you are eating alkaline food. After being metabolized, alkaline foods leave sufficient levels of magnesium in the body. Magnesium maintains the normal functioning of the muscle, improves heartbeat, and keeps bones healthy. Therefore, the mineral is important in the body.
If you are among the why eat alkaline food group, then it is vital to know that alkaline foods enhance vitamin absorption. The primary reason why alkaline foods improve the health of bones is that they boost vitamin D absorption from foods. This also applies in all other vitamins. If you have a plate made of 70% alkaline foods the vitamins present in your protein and carbohydrate foods will be absorbed in higher amounts.
Maintains Healthy Weight
If you continuously eat acidic foods, you can be rest assured that you are going to add unwanted weight. Alkaline foods maintain normal body levels of leptin and reduce inflammation, and thus they work to prevent obesity. As mentioned earlier meat products are acidic foods, and therefore if you keep eating meat and products, you will add unwanted weight. You should eat more fruits and vegetables as you will still feel satisfied and have a healthy weight.
Great Source of Antioxidants
Most acidic foods do not provide the body with sufficient antioxidants. On the other hand, an alkaline diet is an excellent source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that protect the cells from free radicals. Free radicals are produced by stress, exposure to the sun, and during aging. Therefore, it is important to have antioxidants in the body because free radicals can cause heart diseases breakouts and wrinkles on the skin.
The major examples of alkaline vegetables include spinach, kales, broccoli, cucumber, mushroom, celery, sweet potatoes, cabbage, zucchini, eggplant, cauliflower, garlic, mushrooms, carrots, swiss chard, and beet greens. Examples of nuts include hazelnuts. Fruits include apples, raisins, strawberries, cherries, watermelon, pineapple, pears, kiwi, avocado, dates, and lemons. These foods can be obtained in any grocery store at affordable prices. All raw foods are alkaline, but cooking lessens their alkalinity. However, you don’t need to go around eating raw foods because the foods mentioned above can be cooked and maintain their alkalinity. However, you should try eating raw fruits and some vegetables in salads. Juicing is also essential as it helps you get all the nutrients from fruits and vegetables.
It is essential to eat alkaline foods to obtain all the mentioned benefits. Therefore, if you were asking yourself why you should eat alkaline foods, now you have the answer.
On top of the answer, you have gained enough knowledge of alkaline foods and how the alkalinity is measured. Ensure your plate has a significant amount of vegetables and fruits then a bit of proteins and carbohydrates.
It is vital to eat a balanced diet, but it is wise to ensure your balanced diet contains foods that are going to be good for your body after being metabolized. Other than avoiding acidic foods, you should also avoid certain behaviors which increase the acidity of the body.
Some of these behaviors include tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, being stressed, high caffeine intake, over-exercise, lack of exercise, artificial sweeteners, exposure to radiation, and antibiotic overuse. Being healthy requires knowledge and dedication.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to leave them in the comment area below. Your feedback is welcomed and appreciated.
Until next time, enjoy eating alkaline foods.