When indulging in a debate of alkaline foods vs. acidic foods, one must understand that both have specific roles to play in a human body. Explore the benefits of alkaline and acidic foods.

Alkaline Foods Vs Acidic Foods

Alkaline foods and acidic foods are the two kinds of food that a human body needs for day-to-day functioning and general balance. These food types are generally of two types. One type would be of those foods that have a certain amount of acid or alkaline content in them. The other type would be those foods which have the ability to turn acidic or alkaline after being cooked. Such foods help maintain the pH balance of the body after digestion. All foods which have a high content of acids hinder nerve action, while the ones which are high on alkaline content stimulate nerve action inside the system. Hence, a good and balanced combination of both is required to keep the nerve actions of human body perfectly coordinated. Also, the human body is made such that the immune system of the body works well and better under alkaline conditions, but it also needs a slight acidic background for proper functioning of the body’s immunity.
 
Benefits Of Alkaline & Acidic Foods
The entire metabolism of the body depends upon the balance struck between the alkaline and the acidic elements in it - any extra element in the body can lead to serious health issues. A well balanced mix of these foods is a must to maintain the natural pH of our body and blood.
 
Benefits Of Balancing Alkaline & Acidic Foods
  • A balance of both is required to keep the kidneys, intestines and liver clean and healthy.
  • The balanced intake of alkaline and acidic food enables the body’s ability to fight dreaded disorders, like arthritis and heart disease.
  • It also defends the body from free radical cell damage.
  • A good alkaline-acidic balance in the body helps you acquire all the minerals and vitamins, which these foods provide.
  • It also helps in maintaining and increasing the mobility of joints and muscles.
  • The balance also helps increase the oxygen level of the body, which results in better blood circulation. Apart from this, the body’s capacity of fighting diseases also improves.
  • The balance between these two foods controls digestion problems and allows regular and healthy bowel movements.
  • The balance is also good for regulating and maintaining the blood sugar level.
  • It also helps in maintaining blood pressure and regulating it to high and low whenever required. 
Some Alkaline Foods
  • Cabbage
  • Lettuce
  • Onion
  • Cauliflower
  • Radish
  • Peas
  • Red Cabbage
  • Spinach
  • Turnip
  • Carrot
  • Green Beans
  • Beetroot
  • Garlic
  • Cucumber
  • Broccoli
  • Almonds
  • Pumpkin
  • Sunflower
  • Sesame
  • Flax
  • Buckwheat Groats
  • Spelt
  • Lentils
  • Cumin Seeds
Some foods which are alkalizing when raw, but turn acidic when cooked are:
  • Tomatoes
  • Avocados
  • Bell Peppers
  • Non-Sweet Citrus Fruits
  • Grains
  • Sprouted Seeds
Some Acidic Foods
  • Eggs
  • Pork
  • Lamb
  • Beef
  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Dairy Products
  • Yeast Products
  • Fermented Foods
  • Citrus Fruits
  • Sugars
  • Alcohol
  • Coffee
  • Chocolate
  • Sodas
  • Artificial Sweeteners
  • Powdered Soups
  • Instant Meals
  • Fast Food
  • Saturated Fats
  • Hydrogenated Oils
  • Margarine
  • Corn Oil
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Sunflower Oil
One look at the list of acidic foods is sufficient to gauge that too much intake of acids is really bad for health. Scientific studies across the world have confirmed that most of the major health issues like osteoporosis, cancer, etc are caused primarily when the acid content of the body goes high. Hence, one must always strive for a perfect balance between the alkaline and the acidic foods to ensure good health.

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