Science: Alkaline vs Acidic Foods

I had posted this on one of my old blogs back in the summer and just remembered that I had it on my SoulVegFolk profile. So thank you Divine for reminding me about this. *smile*

Class is now in session.

Today we're going to discuss pH balance and how it relates to not only your food, but it's effect on your body.

As we know from middle school science class, the pH balance is what determines how much acid or alkaline a living thing contains. On a scale of 14 with 7 obviously being Neutral, the lower the number the more acidic it is, and vice versa.

With that said the foods and it's corresponding pH balance that we consume also dictates our level of well being. And to break it down even further Brothas and Sistas, every single cell that makes up the human body is alkaline. In order for good health and optimum performance we must maintain this level of alkalinity!!!

Foods such as soda, refined sugars, MEAT (uhhduhh), coffee, alcohol, sweetners (including processed honey but excluding agave ), canned fruit, fruit juices, dairy, and processed foods are all acidic and when ingested throws us completely off balance. The more acidity we absorb and the longer we allow this to happen dis-ease and discomfort are imminent. High blood pressure, diabetes, gallstones, kidney disease, cancer, obesity, stress are just a few things that occur when our bodies become acidic. This is unacceptable!

More food for thought: when our pH balance is off our bodies compensate and try to restore its alkalinity by pulling calcium, potassium, and magnesium from our bones. Thus putting you at risk for Osteoporosis! Drinking milk and eating dairy to 'prevent' this is the same as grabbing a shovel and digging that grave just a little bit deeper.

Have you ever run into a Vegetarian or even Vegan that eats a lot of soy and refined processed foods yet are still overweight?? Acidity is to blame.

To be honest I never even heard of this until recently. I would just go to the store and buy whatever, but it makes sense. It's not 'extreme', questionable european medicinal theory, or Hollywood trend-it's simple science.

I've taken the liberty of listing below some Alkaline Foods to focus on. Unforunately depending on who's scientific list you read some of these items may flip flop between acidic and alkaline but for the most part these are the ones that seem consistent. You'll also notice there are hardly any Hybrid Foods on this list. Boh!

Fruits:

Apples, bananas (small variety), berries (except cranberry), cantaloupe, cherries, currants, figs, seeded grapes, papayas, mangoes, limes, seeded melons, peaches, pears, plums, seeded raisins, soft jelly coconuts, soursops, and passionfruit.

Vegetables:

Callaloo (aka Amaranth Greens), Avocados, asparagus, bell peppers, cucumbers, dandelion greens, lettuce (except iceburg) mushrooms (except shiitake), okra, sea veggies (nori, etc), raw spinach, tomato, string beans, onions, turnip greens, tomatillo, celery, and parsley.

Herbs:

Basil, bay leaf, cilantro, dill, marjoram, oregano, sweet basil, tarragon, and thyme.

Spices:

Achiote, cayenne, cumin, coriander, onion powder, and sage.

Nuts:

Almonds

All herbal teas (except Chamomile)

My plan, and I hope you'll consider this to, is to purchase a pH kit to see where I am on the spectrum. Future post on that soon. Now that I know this and have blessed all of you with the same info, I am fully dedicated to living High Alkaline!!!!