High Alkaline Foods

Modern lifestyle full of stress and anxiety mostly leads to acid reflux disease or 'acidity'. The consumption of oily or processed food, late nights can lead to heartburn, a commonly observed symptom of acid reflux. If ignored, it can end up in serious health complications. Some drugs and medications can also cause acid reflux. Excessive consumption of tea, coffee, tobacco, alcohol, oil, sugar, etc. can lead to increased level of acids in your body.

The Acidic Level: Facts

The average pH level of blood is 7.4, wherein pH is the parameter used to measure the acidic level of blood on a 'power of hydrogen' scale. The 'power of hydrogen' scale is abbreviated as pH scale which measures the concentration of hydrogen in a solution. As the pH levels of the body fluids affect every cell, any altered pH level can prove harmful to the normal functioning of the cells, tissues and organs. The intake of an unbalanced diet, high in acidic foods, can affect the body's regulating systems which help to maintain pH neutrality.

Usually, the organs help neutralize pH levels and remove the excess acid from the body. Bodily systems work to maintain your digestive health. But, wrong diet, unhealthy lifestyle, excessive stress, etc., can affect the functioning of the digestive system and the endocrine system. If you are often facing a problem of 'acidity', then it is better to consume high alkaline foods regularly. They help fight gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

List of Alkalizing Foods

Studies show that when the body's pH is too acidic, your risk for diseases, including cancer, increases. These days, dietitians recommend an alkaline diet for weight loss when none of the fad diets work. An alkaline diet consists of 80-90% of high alkaline foods and 10-20% acidic foods. Though alkaline diets claim that they help you lose weight, boost your energy levels and even reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer, the diet cannot be a totally healthy option, as the food items that are eliminated from the diet are actually essential for the body, for various other purposes. Such diet should be followed for a few days only, and that too under the guidance of your physician. It is better to opt for a balanced diet and enjoy the balance between acidic and alkaline foods. The exact relationship between alkalizing foods and cancer is not yet scientifically proved. Following table describes various types of alkalizing foods.

Type of Alkalizing Food	Examples
Alkalizing Vegetables	Alfalfa, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Dandelions, Eggplant, Garlic, Green Beans, Green Peas, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Pumpkin, Radishes, Spinach, Sprouts, Sweet Potatoes, Tomato, Wheat Grass, etc.
Alkalizing Fruits	Apple, Apricot, Avocado, Berries, Dates, Dried Figs, Cherries, Fresh Coconut, Raisins, Banana, Peach, Lemon, Pineapple, Orange, Melon, Pear, etc.
Alkalizing Sweetener	Stevia, Maple Syrup, Rice Syrup, etc.
Alkalizing Proteins	Fermented Tofu, Almonds, Chestnuts, Whey Protein Powder, Millet, etc.
Alkalizing Milk Products	Cottage cheese
Alkalizing Beverages	Lemon Water, Herbal Tea, Fresh Vegetable Juice, Wheat Grass Juice, Mineral Water, Pure Water, Non Sweetened Soy milk, Almond Milk, Unpasteurized Organic Milk, Vegetable Broth, etc.
Alkalizing Spices and Seasoning	Ginger, Cinnamon, Sea Salt, Tamari, Chili Pepper, etc.
Alkalizing Grains and Meat	Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower seeds, Flaxseed, Wheat, Chicken Breast, Plain Yogurt, etc.

The most important point to note is that a food's acid or alkaline forming tendency in the body has nothing to do with the actual pH of the food itself. Though lemons are acidic, after digestion and assimilation, they are very alkaline. Similarly, meat is alkaline before digestion; but it is responsible for formation of acid in the body after digestion. You may hold citrus fruits responsible for an acidifying effect on the body, but the citric acid from these fruits actually leaves behind an alkalizing effect. So you have to be very cautious and careful while including high alkaline foods in your diet.