5 Alkaline Foods to Eat Every Day

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One of the problems with the typical modern diet, based largely on processed sugars and sweeteners, conventionally raised meats, dairy and produce and refined grains, is that it tends to have an acidifying effect on the body. This can raise the risk of chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis and also increase your risk of developing cancer. The body functions best at a slightly alkaline pH level of 7.4 and to help maintain this balance, it is good to consider including some of the following alkalizing foods in your diet.

Root Vegetables

Many root vegetables – including beets, turnips, carrots, all colors of radishes, horseradish and rutabaga – have an alkalizing effect upon the body. Apart from this, they are also mineral-rich and high in fiber, so they can support your general health. While many Americans in particular are not always very knowledgeable about how to prepare these veggies, there are many recipes available on the web and steaming, boiling, baking or sautéing in olive oil are all great ways to start!

Cruciferous Vegetables

It shouldn’t be surprising that these veggies – including broccoli, cauliflower, kale and cabbage among others – are on this list. They, too, help raise the body’s pH level and apart from this bring a whole array of other health benefits, including improved digestion and a strengthened immune system that can better fight off illness and disease. They are also excellent for cardiac health. So be sure to get a serving of crucifers every day if possible – and not just for the acid-base balance!

Leafy Greens

Leafy green vegetables, along with crucifers, are probably some of the healthiest foods you can eat on a daily basis. Things like spinach, Swiss chard, turnip or mustard greens or collards are all wonderful to help maintain a proper acid-base balance in the body and like the crucifers while raise your pH to optimal levels. They also bring in with them well of phytonutrients, fiber, minerals and vitamins, especially Vitamin C and Vitamin K.

Garlic

Garlic is one of the best foods to eat for overall health, so it is no surprise that is should also be an alkalizing food as well. Eating this will also give you better cardiac health due to lowered blood pressure and cholesterol levels, an improved immune system, and a decreased chance of developing many chronic disease due to the power anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of this true superfood.

Lemons

Okay, this many sound strange to a lot of people, but even though lemons have a low pH due to their citric acid content, they actually have an alkalizing effect within the body, especially if taken in water on a daily basis. It will also bring the benefits of an improved immune system, a detoxified liver and better digestion, since ingesting lemon juice stimulates the product of bile which helps the body more efficiently break down food.

So consider increasing your intact of these alkalizing foods in your diet. As you can see, a diet rich in these foods will not only help maintain a healthy acid-base balance but bring in a number of other health benefits at the same time.

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Mayimina
Mayimina has written articles on most health-related topics, including traditional medicine, alternative and naturopathic and natural treatments, wellness, medical marijuana, diets and fitness.