How acidic or alkaline our diet is can have a great impact on our health.
An acidic food is one that leaves an acidic residue in our body after it is digested and metabolised. Acidic foods tend to be high in protein and phosphorus.
Alkaline foods leave an alkaline residue in the body, and are those foods high in magnesium, calcium and potassium. The normal pH of our body is slightly alkaline at 7.4.
The most acidic foods include the following:
- Sugar
- Red meat, poultry, fish & eggs
- Alcohol
- Fried foods
- Soft drinks
- Dairy products
- Grains, especially white flour products
Contrary to common belief, citrus fruits such as lemons are not acidic foods because they are extremely low in protein and phosphorus, with higher levels of magnesium and potassium. All fruits and vegetables are alkaline, as are nuts and seeds. Most legumes are neutral foods.
With the advent of agriculture and the industrial revolution, grain and cereal consumption has increased dramatically; increasing the acidity of our diet.
Modern diets now tend to be high in sugar, refined white flour and red meat, and this has had consequences on our health.
Soft drinks are an extremely acid food, not just because they are high in sugar and phosphorus; soft drinks are made from distilled water, which robs the body of minerals, including calcium and magnesium, weakening the skeleton. Distillation is the process whereby water is boiled, evaporated and the vapour is then condensed. Distilled water is free of dissolved minerals; therefore it can leach minerals from our body.
Consuming an excess of acidic foods can greatly increase your risk of developing osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, gout, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, an under active thyroid, and other degenerative diseases.
Several leading health authorities believe that ageing and disease are largely due to the accumulation of toxic, acidic waste in the body.
When it comes to making your body more alkaline, the most useful thing you can do is increase your consumption of fruit and vegetables. The Framingham Osteoporosis Study showed that vegetables, fruit, magnesium and potassium are positively associated with strong bone mineral density. Consuming lots of calcium won’t protect you against osteoporosis if you eat too much acidic food that drains calcium and other minerals from your skeleton.
Dr Cabot’s book The Ultimate Detox contains a 2 week deep cleansing eating plan that is sure to alkalise your body. The eating plan eliminates highly acidic foods such as sugar, wheat, gluten, dairy products and animal foods. The emphasis is on fresh raw vegetables and fruit, vegetable juices, legumes, nuts, seeds and gluten free grains.
The Ultimate Detox can help you have more energy, better moods, less fluid retention, clearer skin and a slimmer body.
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