What are the Benefits of Alkaline Foods?

Our bodies are mostly alkaline with a pH between 7.35 and 7.45. Except organs like the stomach, which has a pH of 3.5 are acidic. pH 7 is neutral.

The benefits of alkaline foods, or more correctly put, alkaline-forming foods, is that they support the balancing of the pH in the body. I

t is believed that an alkaline diet helps the body fight off disease by creating an environment that is conducive to good health. Some people even attribute being on an alkalizing diet to curing diseases and even cancer.

There are amazing health benefits of alkaline foods. Not many people are aware that the body functions best when consuming slightly alkaline foods.

So, what does Alkalizing the body mean? Ideally, the body’s pH should be around 7.35 to 7.45 for optimal health.

Scientifically, we can tell if something is Acidic, Neutral or Alkaline by using a pH indicator. The pH scale is a universal indicator that shows us how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A pH universal indicator is a mixture of different dyes, which shows us the pH value of the solution.

The pH scale runs from zero to fourteen. With zero being the most acidic, indicated by the color red. Fourteen is the most alkaline, indicated by the colour blue. Seven is neutral, indicated by the color green.

What Are Alkalizing Foods and their Health Benefits - pH Scale - www.detoxandcure.com

Tap water is neutral with a pH level between 6.5 and 8.5. Seawater is slightly alkaline with a pH level of 8.2. Stomach acid is a highly acidic substance and sits around 2.0 on the pH scale. Bleach is a really strong alkaline with a pH of 13.0.

Water or H2O has one part Hydrogen and two parts Oxygen. The more Hydrogen the food contains, the lower the pH number is on the pH scale or the food is more acidic.

But the more Oxygen-rich the food is, the higher the pH number is on the pH scale or the more alkaline the food is. Therefore, plant material or living foods contain more Oxygen. Additionally, cooked foods contain less Oxygen than raw foods and also contain fewer enzymes.

What is the difference between acid and alkaline foods?

As explained before, foods with a low pH number on the pH scale are acidic foods. Generally speaking, these foods tend to be processed. People who consume a diet of predominantly processed foods and have high sugar content cause the body to become acidic. You want to avoid those types of foods as much as you possibly can.

  • Candy ~ 1.8
  • Soft drinks ~ 2.5
  • Wine ~ 3.0 to 4.0
  • Yoghurt ~ 4.0
  • Tomato Sauce ~ 4.1
  • Coffee ~ 4.3
  • Cheese ~ 5.10 to 5.90
  • Pasta ~ 5.2
  • Beef, Lamb and other meats ~ 5.4
  • Wheat flour ~ 6.0

An acidic body can be blamed for many illnesses such as

  • Allergies
  • Skin disorders
  • High blood pressure
  • Kidney stones
  • Gallbladder stones
  • Hypertension
  • Stroke
  • Heart disease
  • Cancer, and
  • Autoimmune diseases.

Fortunately, the body’s pH level can be restored to a healthy pH balance. Seaweed is one of many foods which are great for alkalizing the body. Consuming a small amount of seaweed every day with an alkaline-rich diet will reverse many of the above ailments.

With the right diet and mindset, you can make yourself well again. This will improve one’s health and well-being.

There are so many benefits of alkaline foods. Alkaline foods are plant-based. Your diet needs to be varied to get the most out of the vitamin and mineral content. Below are some examples of foods that will help reverse the effects of an acidic body.

Alkaline Rich Foods

Lemons and other citrus fruits are considered to be acidic with a pH of about 5.0, which is really confusing. We know that citrus fruit is really good for your health. This is because they are high in alkaline properties.

Once the citric acids have been metabolized, they create an alkaline effect on the body.

Citrus fruit is great for detoxifying the body and aid in the digestive system. Lemons are great for helping people improve their immune system, lose weight, control blood pressure and fight off cancer cells. It’s best to drink lemon water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

Avocados are packed full of essential vitamins and minerals. They help to flush out toxins from the body and restore the body to an optimum pH level.

These magnificent fruits help the cardiovascular system, digestive system, circulatory system, and immune system. They are well known for their healthy fats as well.

Bell peppers or Capsicums, Chillies and Cayenne peppers are great for neutralizing the acid in the body and raising the pH level to alkaline. They help lower blood pressure, reduce LDL cholesterol, reduce anxiety, reduce inflammation and even fight cancer.

Garlic has so many health characteristics which go beyond restoring the pH levels in the body. It helps support the body’s overall health. Containing vitamins B1, B6 and C, Calcium, Copper, Manganese and Selenium.

It acts as an antibacterial, antioxidant food, antiviral food, and anti-fungal food.

The garlic must be crushed or chopped to experience the benefits of neutralizing the body’s acids and restoring the pH level. It is essential to release sulphur compounds.

Chlorophyll-Rich Foods

Spinach contains chlorophyll which helps to restore the body to an alkaline state. Additionally, Spinach is rich in vitamins A, C, K, E and B2 and minerals such as Calcium, Folate, Iron, Magnesium and Potassium. It prevents signs of ageing, skin damage, muscle weakness, anaemia, heart disease and cancer.

Kale can stabilize the body’s pH levels. It is high in antioxidant properties, rich in vitamins A, K, C and minerals such as calcium, copper, Iron, Magnesium, Protein, Potassium, and Phosphorus. Kale helps to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight (fat) and reduces the risk of cancer.

Wheatgrass is great for detoxifying the body and protecting the liver from harmful toxins. The benefits of wheatgrass are abundant from weight loss to stabilizing blood sugar and boosting energy.

Celery is an underrated food. It is a diuretic that helps to rid the body of toxins and eliminate excess fluid. Celery helps to neutralize the body and bring the pH back to a slightly alkaline level. These stalks alone are ideal for daily consumption to keep the body at the comfortable 7.40 pH.

Broccoli contains phytochemicals which help to keep the body at the ideal pH level. It helps to alkalize the body, increases metabolism and reduces estrogen dominance.

Packed full of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, K, C, Fiber Folate, Iron, potassium, protein and manganese, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. The benefits of broccoli include improving the immune system, cardiovascular system, and the integumentary system, aka the skin. 1

High Water Content Foods

Watermelon as per the name has a high water content which improves hydration. They contain beneficial nutrients and several plant compounds.

This refreshing fruit his great for circulation and helps to lower inflammation and relieves soreness in the muscles.

Watermelon has also been known to reduce oxidative stress in the body. Consuming watermelon may help prevent cancer and other diseases. 2

Cucumbers have high water content and help to flush out harmful toxins from the body. They can help to restore the alkalinity in the body by neutralising the acids.

The anti-inflammatory properties of Cucumber can help to reduce inflammation within the body. It is recommended that you consume cucumbers regularly.

They increase hydration in the body and are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Cucumbers help to reduce blood sugar levels and improve heart health, digestion, and metabolism.

Consuming alkalizing foods regularly will neutralise the acid throughout the body and restore the body to the ideal pH level.

Alkalizing Smoothie Recipe

Try this amazing Alkalizing smoothie. Blend the following ingredients.

  • Irish Moss Seaweed (Seaweed Gelatin)
  • Banana
  • Celery
  • Cucumber
  • Avocado
  • Berries
  • Kale
  • Ginger
  • Beetroot
  • Broccoli
  • Psyllium Husk
  • Alkaline water

You could top it with hemp seeds or chia seeds to give it a bit more texture.

Disease and Alkaline Foods

One of the many benefits of alkaline foods is their ability to heal the body of disease. Wellness is your natural state of being and a pH balance brings us back into balance. Acidic foods can cause all sorts of long-term side effects.

Most illnesses that are being diagnosed today can be reversed by increasing foods containing a higher pH balance. This is predominantly a plant-based diet.

Removing or at least reducing the intake of processed foods, sugars, meat and dairy products from your diet will enhance your energy and vitality.

Once you balance the pH in your body, you’ll notice:

  • Increased energy and vitality
  • Improved digestion
  • Weight Loss, mostly fat and water retention
  • Reduced inflammation and pain in joints like arthritis
  • Mental clarity and focus
  • Improved mood

If you are experiencing illness or disease of any kind, consider doing a colon cleanse and fast to reset the body. Gradually introduce more fruits and vegetables into your lifestyle and reduce the acidic foods and beverages.

One of the best things you can do is increase the amount of filtered, distilled or alkaline water. This will improve hydration, remove toxins from your body and increase the alkaline pH.

Experience the benefits of alkaline foods and share your thoughts now.

Reference

  1. “Integumentary System” – Cleveland Clinic, Last checked 4 March 2024 [Cleveland Clinic] [Archive] ↩︎
  2. “What is Oxidative Stress?” – A. Mandal, 19 June 2023 [News Medical Life Sciences] [Archive] ↩︎

Last Updated on 7 months by D&C Editorial Team

About the Author

Christine has long been on the path to optimal health. With a history of weight loss coaching she is driven by a passion for nutrition, health and wellness. Having grown up in Africa before migrating to New Zealand, and then Australia, she has seen very strong contrasts in quality of life and is driven to help others understand the importance of taking a holistic approach to life.

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