When trying to determine whether or not certain foods or drinks fit into an alkaline diet, it can be helpful to understand the premise behind the movement first. Back in the day, our ancestors ate what they could kill or gather from the land, and thus relied on a very heavy plant based diet with some animal foods thrown in for good measure. Once agriculture came about, humans began consuming more and more grains as well as sugar, salt, dairy products and significantly more meat than they had in the past.
Every food you eat causes a reaction in the blood when digested, which can either turn the blood more acidic or more alkaline. Human blood, when healthy, should be slightly alkaline (with a pH level between 7.3 and 7.4); when acidic, it is often reported that humans have a greater propensity towards disease. So, what do many of these foods that humans started to eat during the age of agriculture do? They turn acidic once digested, lowering one’s pH level and leaving the body more susceptible to illness and an overall feeling of malaise.
While there are lists upon lists of alkaline foods around, what you drink matters as well. In most cases, coffee is out; however, while green tea is slightly acidic, it tends to have an alkalizing effect on the body once digested.
Some researchers have claimed that if you drink more alkaline forming beverages such as green tea, that you also will tend to crave more alkaline foods. Conversely, if your starting your day with more acidic beverages such as coffee, you might also crave more acidic foods throughout the day.
In addition to this, the incredible antioxidant benefits found in green tea, this healthy beverage also help to reduce inflammation, another goal of the alkaline diet. So drink up!