The pH value of any substance is used to determine how acidic it is. The pH of water is close to 7, which is neutral. Alkaline substances are those with a pH greater than 7, and acidic substances are those with a pH lower than 7. Alkaline foods have numerous advantages, according to scientists. The pH of our blood and certain other biological fluids is likewise somewhat alkaline (about 7.4), so this is not surprising. Our diet is primarily acidic since the majority of the nutrients we consume on a daily basis are deficient in alkaline components. This has an impact on numerous organs and organ systems and can play a role in the emergence of a number of illnesses, including cancer, obesity, heart disease, and kidney stones. Focusing mostly on alkaline foods can help prevent this, and nature is full of them.
Here are some of the best choices.
Avocado
Avocado is well-known among people who take a good care of their health. It has many important nutrients, such as vitamins (folate, B6, B12), minerals (potassium), dietary fibers, and healthy fats. The high level of potassium is mainly responsible for the alkaline properties of avocado. Researchers have confirmed that regular intake of avocado decreases the risk of cancer, and cardiovascular disease, and also helps with weight loss.
Broccoli
There are numerous recipes for meals made of broccoli. It is really easy to prepare and it can be very tasty. Broccoli is listed among the most alkaline foods on the planet. It has high potassium levels, dietary fibers, C vitamin, and very low caloric content, so it is perfect for persons who are on calorie-restrictive diets.
Garlic
Besides being a strong natural antimicrobial agent with pronounced antioxidant and antiaging properties, garlic is also a very alkaline vegetable. It is one of the most potent foods when it comes to general positive effect on human health, as it provides protection to the cardiovascular system, lowers cholesterol levels, and has many more, not yet fully investigated health benefits.
Tomato
The tomato is very widely used, but not many people know its health benefits. It is also a very alkaline food, and has a low caloric content. Besides that, tomato contains lycopene – a bright red herbal pigment, which has a similar structure and biological function to vitamin A.
Kale
Something about kale is very interesting. It is one of the rare foods that has almost zero fat content. It is very rich in dietary fibers, and also in minerals, such as magnesium, which gives it the alkaline properties. Including kale in your diet on a regular base is very beneficial, because of its antioxidant activities and the ability to improve the elimination of toxins from the human organism.
Soy nuts
Soy nuts are alkaline and they are different from the above listed foods because of their high fat content. Those are of course, mostly healthy fats. However, if you want to make your diet more alkaline, you should be careful with soy products. Although raw soy nuts are alkaline, soy milk, and other processed soy products are highly acid, because of the ways they are prepared and additives.
Cucumber
Cucumber is found in salad recipes, and even in some drinks and cocktails. It is a very alkaline vegetable rich in potassium.
Alkaline Water
Due to recognized health benefits of alkaline substance intake, you can even find alkaline water brands on the market. Some of them even have a pH value up to 9. Scientists are still discussing whether there are significant health benefits in replacing neutral drinking water with this highly alkaline water.
Spinach
One of the most commonly recommended vegetables in persons with an iron deficit is spinach, but other than high iron content, spinach also contains C vitamin and high concentration of dietary fibers. It is also an alkaline nutrient and you can include it in your diet in many different forms.
Cabbage
Another plant rich in potassium, and consequently a great source of alkaline content is cabbage. In some cultures, cabbage is used a lot, and preparation of almost any meal cannot be imagined without it. Western civilizations, however, should increase the intake of cabbage for its well-known health benefits.
References
Schwalfenberg GK. The Alkaline Diet: Is There Evidence That an Alkaline pH Diet Benefits Health? Journal of Environmental and Public Health. 2012;2012:727630. doi:10.1155/2012/727630.
Fenton TR, Huang T. Systematic review of the association between dietary acid load, alkaline water and cancer. BMJ Open. 2016;6(6):e010438. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010438.
Passey C. Reducing the Dietary Acid Load: How a More Alkaline Diet Benefits Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease. J Ren Nutr. 2017 May;27(3):151-160. doi: 10.1053/j.jrn.2016.11.006. Epub 2017 Jan 20.
