PH Levels… when you hear this you might be thinking back to your chemistry class in high school. How does a PH diet relate to your health?
Why Alkaline Gets an “A”
Simply put, some foods are acidifying when introduced to the body and others are alkalizing. What you consume on a daily basis will change the pH levels of your blood, saliva and urine. The pH scale goes from 0-14 (with acidic substances falling below 7 while alkaline substances are above 7).
Your body’s PH blood level must be around 7.2 or you will die.. therefore the body is always working to keep this in check, it is a constant balancing act.
The foods and beverages we consume all have a mineral content which is either acidic or alkaline. What we consume affects the amount of work the body has to do to keep our PH blood level at 7.2. Still with me? Good.
Now, let’s talk about why your pH level matters. A growing body of research suggests that having lower, or acidic, pH levels is associated with greater risk for conditions like type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease and obesity. Higher, or alkaline, pH levels, accordingly are linked to improvements in memory and cognition, reduced pain and lower risk of hypertension and stroke.
Another area that has been researched quite extensively is how pH levels affect bone health. Many studies have shown that low-acidic diets will help improve bone density. The reason is because calcium and magnesium are very alkaline. The body will use the calcium and magnesium in the body (found in the bones) to bring the PH blood level into balance.
An alkaline diet is also associated with an increase in growth hormone, which is sometimes referred to as “The Fountain of Youth” hormone — it helps you shed excess fat, improve your libido and retain a general sense of well-being. Who doesn’t want that?
Here are 7 Steps To Incorporate a PH / Alkaline Diet
1. Pump up your produce intake.
This one isn’t rocket science, most fruits, vegetables, all plant-based foods are alkaline in nature.
2. Ban bread.
Unless you’re opting for a minimal amount of sprouted grains, get rid of tortillas, sourdough, white bread, whole grains and brown rice. On the acid-alkaline scale, most grains fall into the acidic range.
3.Chuck the condiments.
Most condiments…i.e. ketchup, miso, mayonnaise or mustard are highly acidic.
4. Boost your beans and seeds.
As mentioned above most plant-based foods fall on the alkaline side of the PH scale. All beans, legumes, nuts and seeds fall into this category.
5. Get rid of artificial sweeteners, but keep your stevia.
Popular sugar alternatives like honey, xylitol and beet sugar are all acidic, but stevia is alkaline.
6. No dairy.
All dairy products are animal-based foods and will fall on the acidic slide of the PH scale. Start eliminating these products from your diet.
7. Ban Coffee, Soda & Alcohol.
Unfortunately coffee, soda and alcohol are very acidic. Replace these beverages with lemon, lime and cucumber water or teas.
Want to get started with a more PH Alkaline Diet? Check out my blog postings under Healthy Eats… I’ve got lots of healthy, delicious recipes that are all Alkaline friendly. To get you started try my Easy Eggplant Parmesan – Vegan Style. It’s delish and super easy to make.
