Alkaline diet: types of food to take and their benefits

We know that there are all kinds of diets out there for weight loss and body detoxification, some more efficient or healthier than others. As they say, to taste the colors. Well here we tell you everything you need to know about the alkaline diet.

This diet is also known as the pH diet or alkaline diet and as the name implies, it is based on the alkalinity or acidity levels of the body and what The intention is that through the intake of certain foods we can return the body's pH to a neutral state and therefore, it is excellent as a diet of detoxification. Here we explain more about the alkaline diet.

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What is the alkaline diet?

The alkaline diet aims regulate the levels of acidity and alkalinity in our body. Due to our lifestyle, the body's acidity levels rise, either due to stress, due to chemicals in the environment, by the products we use and by the types of food we we take. In the latter case, it is caused by processed foods, animal proteins that have been hormonalized, and some foods that have an already high degree of acidity.

To better understand the alkaline diet, you should know that the pH is the measure that tells us the level of acidity or alkalinity of the body. Its range goes from 0 to 14, in which 0 indicates that there are no levels of acidity and 14, on the contrary, that there is excess acidity. When this occurs acidosis occurs. The neutral pH is found right in the middle of this range, therefore, the neutral pH of the body is pH7.

In any case, our body works perfectly when it has a blood pH of 7.39, that is, slightly acidic. However, it is quite common for our pH to present acidosis, that is, high acidity. It is in this case that the alkaline diet is very useful, since it prevents us from consuming the most acidic foods and increases the alkaline foods that we eat. It gets rid of all the excess acidity from the body so that it is detoxified and works much better.

Why is acidosis bad?

When our pH is very high and therefore very high, it is much easier for diseases to incubate and develop in the body. Acids have a corrosive effect on the body that can alter the functioning of cells. Hence the importance of having an alkaline diet, so that it provides a protective layer to the organs.

Acids, when raised above neutral, can be especially aggressive and irritating for the organs that are responsible for its elimination: kidneys, lungs and skin. It is very normal for people with acidosis to be hypertensive, feel very cold, have weak immune systems, and get sick easily.

But don't worry, if you think you are one of them, follow the alkaline diet that we recommend below and detoxify your body.

Types of foods for the alkaline diet

In order for you to start with your alkaline diet, you should know that there are 3 food groups that you must balance in your diet. We explain what they are!

1. Acidifying foods

These are the foods that you should avoid or reduce their consumption so that the alkaline diet works and your pH returns to neutrality.

These acidifying foods would be meats, especially red and pork, cheeses, especially those that are ripened and with a strong smell, blue fish, eggs, shellfish, legumes (chickpeas, lentils, beans or beans, peas).

So are simple carbohydrates (sweets, chocolates, sugar, sodas), refined flours and refined cereals (bread, pasta, pastries), nuts (with the exception of almonds), animal fats such as butter, some vegetable fats such as olive oil or sunflower oil, and drinks with caffeine.

Some fruits and vegetables can be acidifyingsuch as tomatoes, lemons, corn, green olives, squash, blueberries, and canned fruits.

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2. Alkalizing foods

This is the group of foods that the alkaline diet needs to eliminate excess acidity in your body.

Alkalized foods are vegetables, especially green ones, vegetables such as carrots and beets, fruits (bananas and avocados are excellent), milk, chestnuts, almonds, step fruits (raisins, prunes, dates), sprouts, green spices and Salt.

Seaweed, cucumber, broccoli, celery and ginger are very appropriate and recommended foods in the alkaline diet so that you bring your pH to balance, since they also help you by regulating the hormones.

Tip: those who follow the alkaline diet usually have green juices for breakfast.

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3. Acidic foods that can alkalize

With this group of foods for the alkaline diet you should pay close attention, because whether they are acidic or alkaline depends entirely on the metabolism of each.

These foods are yogurt (better if they have probiotics), kefir, skyr, citrus fruits such as lemon, orange or tangerine, sweet fruits such as watermelon, berries, honey, vinegar and fruit juices.

Always keep in mind that the success of the alkaline diet is in the balance between the foods we choose, including alkalizing foods to a greater extent and acidifying foods to a lesser extent.

In the same way, try that every day at some point of the day the vegetables are fresh and not just cooked. If you can, consult an alkaline diet coach to help you better understand how your body metabolizes food.