The concept of eating and living healthy appeals to majority of the population in today’s world. Due to this desire to eat healthy and eat right, various diet plans have taken the world by storm. The latest trend doing the rounds in the world of weight loss is the alkaline diet or acid alkaline diet. It is based on the idea that a dietary shift from acidic to alkaline foods may alter the pH value of the blood. The ideal pH value is assumed to range from 7.35 to 7.45 on the pH scale. This change in the pH levels is considered healthy and is believed to have positive impact on the overall health and general well-being of an individual.
The ideal alkaline diet consists of 20% foods which are acidic in nature while the remaining 80% are alkaline foods. Various fresh fruits, vegetables, roots, legumes, tubers, nuts etc. are generously included in this nutrition plan. This form of dietary plan is helpful in treating diseases like acidity, cancer, musculoskeletal problems, headaches, fatigue, obesity, etc. This diet not only helps to cure illnesses but also promotes rapid weight loss thereby, helping to create a flab free, perfectly toned body.
The food we generally eat disintegrates into either an acidic or an alkaline base in the body. Based on this knowledge, the foods that should be added to our diet or removed from it are decided. The ideal diet should follow the 80/20 rule wherein 80% of the diet should consist of alkaline prime foods and the left 20% can be acidic foods. Hence, daily meals should mostly contain fresh vegetables, with small portions of proteins and whole grains. How we cook our food also affect the alkalinity of the food. For example, raw spinach is alkaline in nature but becomes acidic on cooking! I am sure most of you were not aware of this fact.
The amount of natural plant foods like fresh fruits, raw vegetables, nuts, legumes, roots etc. should be increased. Grapefruits, dates, lime, artichoke, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, fennel, lemon etc. are considered to have the highest alkalinity. These provide the essential nutrients that are required for improving and maintaining the general health of the body. They help to improve immunity, treat and cure diseases, reduce excess body weight and thus make one fit and fine.
Animal fat, fried, oily and processed foods are extremely acidic in nature and hence should be avoided. Sea food, meat, fish, dairy product, pasta, wheat, coffee, aerated drink, tea, alcohol etc. are a strict “no, no” in this diet. These foods are known to increase the acid content in the blood and are believed to be the prime cause behind many illnesses. These products also contain saturated fats that get accumulated in the body and increase body weight.
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This is a balanced nutrition diet, which contains all the vital nutrients required for improving the health of an individual. High in antioxidant content, this diet helps to treat and cure diseases naturally and also aid in their prevention by strengthening the immune system. These low calorie foods help to limit the fat accumulation in the body, which in turn help in burning body fat and trigger weight loss. This diet, thus, helps to create a disease free, well-shaped, healthy body in no time. Alkaline foods are easily digestible as they conveniently disintegrate into easy-to-absorb vitamins in the digestive system. Nuts and seeds included in this diet are enriched with essential fats that help improve the skin texture and tone.
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One should always consult a doctor or medical practitioner before starting with this diet. Alkaline diet should not be taken up by people suffering from high blood pressure, certain allergies, heart diseases and chronic kidney failure as is can aggravate the medical condition. People under specific medication and treatment that affect the potassium content of the body should also seek a doctor’s advice prior to initiating such a dietary regime.
In a world saturated with a plethora of diets, the alkaline diet offers another road to try. Unlike many other diets, this one does not force you to starve yourself. But yes, it takes will power and discipline to succeed at any diet. So, commit yourself to the diet and jump in! The benefits of an alkaline diet are definitely worth it.