Have you ever had heartburn? It’s an uncomfortable subject. You feel the stomach acid painfully welling up in your chest, then seeping up your throat. You’ve probably also heard people refer to it as acid reflux. Around 19.8 percent of adults have a recurring heartburn condition called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).[1][2] Fortunately, an alkaline diet can help stave off the effects of acid reflux. An alkaline diet works by balancing the pH levels in your body. It also helps maintain muscle and bone density.
The modern American diet consists of a lot of acidic, protein-rich foods, which create an imbalance between acidity and alkalinity. According to Healthline, a medically-reviewed source for health information, there are multiple problems with eating too many acidic foods full of protein:
- The acid can build up in your urine, causing a type of kidney stone called uric acid stones to form
- The acid can build up in your blood, causing bone and muscle deterioration and leading to conditions such as osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, as well as liver problems
To help balance your pH levels, tame the heartburn beast, and reduce the risk of debilitating conditions, consider this list of alkaline foods.
Note: Some foods, such as corn, have a high pH value but don’t convert to alkaline ash in the body. The following list includes foods that:
A) Have a high pH value and also convert to alkaline ash in urine
B) May not have a high pH value but are known to contribute to higher alkaline ash levels in urine
The pH values range from 0 to 14, where 0 is highly acidic, 7 is neutral, and 14 is highly alkaline.
Consult with a physician before making any drastic changes to your diet.
Tofu
The pH of soybean curd tofu is 7.2. Soybean curd also provides a good source of vegetable protein. You can add tofu to all sorts of dishes, including stir fry, curry, and casseroles.
Honeydew
Yes it’s hard to find the perfectly ripe honeydew, but when it comes to flavor, the search is well worth it. When it comes to alkalinity, the honeydew can reach 6.67 pH. Combine with other kinds of melon for a flavorful and healthy combo.
Broccoli
You might hate it, but this stuff is great for you. Broccoli is high in fiber, vitamin C, potassium, B6, and vitamin A. It’s actually a fairly good protein source, and its pH value can reach 6.85.
Cabbage
Cabbage can reach a pH value of 6.8. For a truly healthy, tasty cabbage meal, try a Mexican Cabbage Soup.
Spinach
The whole “eat your spinach, it’ll make you stronger” thing (you remember Popeye?) has a health-benefit basis. Spinach has a pH value of up to 6.8, and it‘s high in insoluble fiber, which helps with digestion. One cup of spinach has a gram of protein, and is packed with vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron.
Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed is high in fiber, which aids in digestion, and ALA Omega 3 fatty acid, which helps prevent heart disease and high cholesterol.[3] Flaxseed oil has the heart benefits of flaxseed without the fiber, and both convert to alkaline ash as they make their way through your digestive system.
Lemon and Lemon Juice
Lemons have high acidity, but you convert it to alkaline ash during digestion. Some sources indicate that, along with watermelon, lemon yields the most alkalinity for your system. Lemons are fantastic for a lot of reasons—lemon juice turns water into an even healthier beverage, and lemons have a ton of vitamin C.
Beets and Beet Juice
Beets check in at up to 6.6 alkalinity, and they may benefit your brain. Researchers from Wake Forest University found that beet juice improved blood flow to the brain because beets have a lot of nitrate, which you convert to nitrite. In turn, nitrite opens up blood vessels.
Kale
What a fantastic leafy green! In addition to promoting healthy alkaline levels, kale is packed with even more fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C than spinach.
Sprouts
Brussel sprouts have a pH value of up to 6.3, and they’re chock full of phytochemicals such as isothiocyanates. Isothiocyanates might suppress tumor growth and hormone production. Meanwhile alfalfa sprouts have essential amino acids, antioxidants, and vitamins and minerals.[4] And, sprouted breads are a great option to replace the carb-heavy, flour-based breads we’re used to buying at supermarket.
Quinoa
Of course! Quinoa is a great source for your protein, as it’s a complete protein.[5] It’s also great for balancing your alkalinity. The majority of meat protein sources are acidic. Along with a balance of the other foods on this list, quinoa could potentially replace meat in your diet.
Herbs and Spices
Besides salt, mustard, and nutmeg, most herbs and spices are alkaline. So season and spice your meals to perfection. In particular, capsaicin (a chemical in chili peppers) can help reduce pain and may even help treat heartburn. Also, studies are showing that cinnamon can help with weight loss, can help reduce blood sugar levels, and may be an anti-aging agent.[6]
Featured photo credit: freestocks.org via pexels.com
Reference
| [1] | ^ | Medical News Today: Alkaline Diet Can Combat The Effects Of Acid Reflux |
| [2] | ^ | GERD Help: GERD and Food |
| [3] | ^ | University of Maryland Medical Center: Flaxseed |
| [4] | ^ | Food Source Information: Sprouts |
| [5] | ^ | Huffington Post: 5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Quinoa |
| [6] | ^ | Time: Why Cinnamon Is Insanely Good for You |
The post How To Choose The Right Alkaline Foods? Here’s What You Should Be Eating appeared first on Lifehack.
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