Understanding the concept of acidic and alkaline food can be helpful in shaping your dietary choices. Rita Romano, in her book, Dining In The Raw states, "80% of the food we consume should produce alkaline compounds when digested." You may be wondering what difference it makes whether the food you eat creates acidic or alkaline compounds.
Acidic and alkaline foods are not what you may think. For example, simply because citrus fruit is acidic does not mean that it creates an acidic reaction in your body. On the contrary, it creates alkaline compounds. But before we get into the specific foods and the compounds they create, it is important to understand why you need to be concerned about acidic and alkaline food in the first place.
First, our blood should have a slightly alkaline pH value. The Standard American Diet (SAD); which is high in protein, fat and processed carbohydrates; creates a predominately acidic internal environment. That means an environment in which disease can easily flourish. If the body cannot neutralize excess acids properly then these acids are placed in the joints and tissues resulting in pain and disease. For this reason it is important that you eat enough alkaline forming foods to keep your body pH at around 7.4, just over neutral.
To promote health in your body, you must eat foods that create an alkaline or oxygen rich internal environment. Disease cannot grow in an oxygen rich body system. Simply put, the difference between acidic and alkaline foods is primarily the difference between processed and unprocessed foods. It's the difference in shopping more in the produce section of your grocery and shopping less in the aisles with packaged foods.
Most raw fruits and vegetables, and soaked nuts and sprouted seeds are alkaline forming. On the contrary, all meat, fish, dairy, most grains, caffeine, refined carbohydrates, breads, pastas, sodas, pasteurized or canned juices are acid forming.
To promote excellent health in your family, eliminate processed, acid forming foods from your diet. Choose to eat a variety of at least 80% alkaline forming foods on a daily basis. And remember, eat healthy, be healthy!
