Alkalinity and acidity is something we tend to think of more when it comes to our pool water. But some people say that the PH of your body can be an important factor in your health. Alkaline diets have claimed that they can rid the body of disease and leave you feeling energetic and revitalised. There are even claims that it can help fight some of our big killers such as heart disease and cancer.
Wondering what being alkaline even is?
The idea is that you aim each day to create an alkaline environment in the body by eating and drinking alkaline foods and water. If you want to get right into the nitty-gritty you can follow a very specific alkaline diet which includes 2-3L of alkaline water each day, 70-80% alkaline foods with each meal, and a small amount of acidic balance. People who follow this way of life even have a name- they are now known as the Alkavorians and you can even get alkaline coaching.
What to eat? There are comprehensive acid alkaline lists to download but here is a quick rundown, although this is a highly debated subject:
· Acidic: Meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, grains, alcohol, sugar & caffeine
· Neutral: Natural fats
· Alkaline: Fruits, nuts, legumes and vegetables
Too alkaline?
Alkalosis is a recognised medical condition where the body fluids and tissues are excessively alkaline. This can cause weakness, cramping, confusion and light headedness. It is thought that this can be caused by too much alkaline food and water. Hence the need for acidic balance the Alkavorians outlined above.
Things to keep in mind
Life on earth depends on appropriate PH. Human life requires a tight control on internal PH which remains slightly alkaline. Our body has been effectively maintaining its PH for some time and has inherent mechanisms to do this. The body has a naturally occurring acidity in most of our mucous membranes to protect us and fight off infection.
A well balanced diet is the best way to achieve good health. Unless there is a specific medical need, radical diets and regimes should be avoided. Always see a qualified Medical Herbalist/Naturopath with nutritional training before making huge changes to your diet as these may not be best for you.