Alkaline Foods for Reduced Inflammation
You’ve probably heard the terms acid and alkaline before, but let’s talk about what they really mean and how they affect your health.
The pH is a measure of acidity or alkalinity in the body and is measured on a scale of 1 to 14, with 7 being considered “neutral.” Anything below 7 is more acidic while above 7 is considered more alkaline. The body tightly regulates the pH and functions best at an overall pH of approximately 7.4. That said, it is important to maintain a balance throughout the body since certain functions of the body take place at different levels of acidity or alkalinity. For instance, the stomach, bladder and skin are more acidic since they protect us from outside invaders, while the rest of the body functions best with a more alkaline environment.
So why should we be concerned about this?
Well, the standard western diet leads to higher acidity in your body due to the abundance of poor quality fats, animal proteins and sugar and the lack of fiber. When the environment in your body is more acidic, inflammation can increase along with the risk of other diseases.
Since we know that controlling inflammation is so important in CF care and in the prevention of other disease, it’s important to focus on adding more alkaline foods to your routine. Focusing on the health of the digestive system and maintaining a balance throughout the digestive tract is a great place to start.
While your stomach must be acidic in order to breakdown proteins and other foods, the small and large intestines should be more alkaline to allow for the absorption of nutrients and the survival of good gut bacteria (probiotics). When you have too much acidity, your digestion slows down and that leads to bloating and discomfort.
What Are the Best Alkaline-Forming Foods to Include in Your Diet?
Water- is the number one alkaline former (and it doesn’t have to be “alkaline water). It helps flush toxins from your body and supports a healthy pH
Greens - Leafy greens like kale, collards, & spinach as well as veggies like cucumbers and celery, and green fruits like kiwi and avocado, and even green tea
Fresh Fruit- Lemons, limes (even though they are considered weak acids in nature, they are alkaline forming), watermelon and grapefruit are all super-alkaline foods to include in your diet
Plant Proteins- like nuts like almonds and seeds like hemp and sesame, as well as navy and lima beans
What Acidic Foods Should I Limit?
Coffee/ Caffeine
Alcohol
Sugar and white flour products
Refined oils
Red Meat & other animal products
Artificial sweeteners
The bottom line: it’s all about balance. If you love your morning coffee, have it, but consider having a glass of warm water with fresh lemon juice for an alkaline start to your day.
Aim for about 50/50 acid to alkaline foods at each meal, and ideally 75/25 alkaline to acid. Do the best you can to be mindful of the foods you are eating and try to incorporate alkaline more often. Here’s a yummy alkaline salsa recipe to get you started .
https://app.thatcleanlife.com/shares/56c40b33-72ae-406d-8fca-c14e096c554b
If you want to learn more about alkaline forming foods and grab a few more recipes, email me at Michele@GoodnessGirl.com and request my FREE Alkaline Guide
Stay Well!