Top 9 Alkaline Foods That Fight Cancer, Pain, Gout, Diabetes And Heart Disease

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Are you trying to go alkaline too?

If you are in the midst of the alkaline process, it helps a lot when you know which foods to consume to stay alkaline as long as possible. A general rule of thumb is that you can eat these 9 foods without worrying about the acidic side effects they might have – although some of them are more alkaline than others.

Let’s make this clear: It is not necessary to eat only alkaline foods in order to get your body’s pH levels at an alkaline level. On the contrary, a certain percentage of foods consumed can be acidic, but it is best if they are natural, whole foods like fruits for instance.

1. Almonds

It is no wonder that almonds are alkaline nutriment since they consistently rank on the list of healthiest foods to eat.
And did you know that most nuts and seeds are considered acidic unless they are sprouted?

However, there are some nuts that are neutral, or just slightly alkaline, such as almonds.
Top stats (per 100g):
Calcium – 27%
Iron – 25%
Protein –  44%

2. Amaranth

Although the great majority of people are NOT familiar with this grain, it does make a great addition to any alkaline-streamed diet regime.

Today the amaranth is valued worldwide. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization have fostered amaranth’s use since 1967 because wherever it is eaten there is no trace of malnutrition! The amaranth has more protein compared with wheat and it is higher in the amino acid lysine than other grain sources of protein.

Distinguished botanists note that the amaranth belongs to a remarkable group of photosynthetic super performers called the C4 group, meaning it is super-efficient in converting soil, sunlight, and water into plant tissue.

Top stats (per 100g):
Calcium – 16%
Iron – 42%
Protein – 14g

3. Artichokes

One can often see artichokes on top of salads, or used in a dip, but there are a number of reasons why you can bring them to the very forefront of your diet.

Artichokes are known to have the highest antioxidant levels out of all vegetables, according to a study done by the USDA, and out of 1,000 different types of plant-based foods, they ranked No.7 in antioxidant content! Antioxidants are one of the primary means of defense of the human immune system against the devastating effect of free radicals – the natural byproducts of cell metabolism that can lead to a number of dangerous conditions and diseases in the body, including cancer and heart disease, among others.

Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin C – 20%
Vitamin K – 12%
Folates – 17%

4. Arugula

Here’s a leafy green that is no doubt worth getting to know. The arugula is often used as part of a detox diet scheme, and the fact that it is an alkaline plant is a big part of that.

The arugula also provides high levels of plant protein, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, zinc, copper, and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) for raising good cholesterol levels and lowering the bad ones. Its flavonoid content has multiple benefits: it prevents cholesterol from sticking to arteries, lowers high blood pressure, improves blood circulation, lowers inflammation, and improves blood vessel function.

Top stats (per 100g):
Calcium – 16%
Vitamin A – 47%
Iron – 8%

5. Asparagus

The asparagus just so happens to be one of the strongest foods you can eat in terms of alkalinity.

Each food is ranked as to how alkaline it is, and the asparagus is one of the “big stars.” But it brings a lot more than alkalinity to the dinner table, including antioxidants, nutrients, and plenty of detoxifying agents. It has even been noted that the asparagus has strong anti-aging benefits, which is enough for most people to start adding more of it to their daily menu.

Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin A – 15%
Vitamin C – 9%
Iron – 12%

6. Avocado and avocado Oil

You shouldn’t be taken by surprise that avocado is on our list of alkalizing foods. It has managed to make it onto our list of superfoods as well, so you know it is a nutritional punch.

Avocados are high in potassium as well as healthy fat, so in addition to helping you get more alkaline, you are getting other “perks” as well. You can also use avocado oil in favor of other oils that don’t provide any alkaline points, or even worse, when they are acid-forming in the body.

Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin C – 17%
Vitamin A – 3%
Fiber – 27%

7. Basil

You might not have thought that the herbs and spices you use on your food have an effect on how acidic or alkaline your body pH level is.

But, it turns out that there are good spices and bad ones. The basil happens to be one of those that helps you keep alkaline tone, and it also has plenty of other things going for it, such as the flavonoids it contains. These help the body heal and the basil in general can help you with several different ailments of the body.

Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin A – 175%
Vitamin K – 345%
Calcium – 18%

8. Beetroot

The beetroot is getting more attention now than ever before, and it is one of the foods out there that will act to help raise your pH levels.

The reason why it is an important vegetable to be included in your vegetable “arsenal” is that it is one of the only sources of the phytonutrient betalain which may have anti-cancer properties. Add these as a side, or use them as a salad topper. Be sure to buy this one fresh and steam it, as the pickled variety has reduced nutritional value.

Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin C – 8%
Vitamin K – 11%
Folate – 75%

9. Broccoli

The broccoli is a quintessential healthy food, which makes it easy to understand that it is an alkaline food too.

Indeed, the broccoli is one of those veggies with so much going on for you that you simply have to make an extra effort to get more of it into your system. Some people eat broccoli every day as a way to maintain good health and make sure they are on the safe alkaline side. You need to eat it at least multiple times a week, with 3 or 4 times being a good rule of thumb.

Top stats (per 100g):
Vitamin C – 135%
Vitamin A – 11%
Calcium – 4%

Understanding how an alkaline diet works

Nowadays, alkaline diets are a popular choice for people who want to achieve optimum good health. However, many people don’t actually understand this diet and how it works.

The concept in fact is fairly simple:

The diet simply focuses on restoring the balance that was lost when man started to eat a more domesticated diet. Rather than focusing on foods that are high in sugar, fat, and cholesterol, an alkaline diet primarily consists of organic fruits and vegetables, healthy whole grains, wholesome protein sources such as soy, beans and legumes, and healthy oils such as canola, olive and flax seed.

These foods may be either alkaline or acid in their natural state, but they all produce what is termed as an “alkaline ash” once digested and metabolized by the body. When the body’s pH is kept at a slightly alkaline level, all the systems can run more efficiently.

Understanding the effects of the body’s pH level

The pH level of the body has the ability to affect every single cell of the body. When the blood has an alkaline pH value, instead of an acidic pH, it will have a positive effect on how every bodily system functions.

The brain, circulatory system, nerves, muscles, respiratory system, digestive system, and reproductive system can all benefit from a healthy pH level.  

On the other hand, when the pH of the body has gone too acidic, it is susceptible to many diseases and problems. Weight gain, heart disease, premature aging, fatigue, nerve problems, allergies, muscle disease and cancer are all more prevalent when the body’s pH is not optimal.

Because these problems are all more likely to occur when the body’s pH is overly acidic, it makes good sense to switch to a diet rich in alkalizing foods.

The primary goal is usually to eat approximately 75-80%  alkaline foods along with only about 20-25% acidifying. If you maintain this level in your diet, the end result is a slightly alkaline body pH, which is just perfect for optimal health!

The choice of foods for an alkaline diet

In fact, it is quite easy to eat a diet rich in alkalinity-producing foods. Most fresh produce (fruits and veggies) is an excellent choice! Red meat is NOT a good choice, but you can add plenty of protein to your meals by using soy products, delicious beans, legumes, and nuts such as first-mentioned almonds.

You should eliminate unhealthy fats from your food, but you can use good fats such as olive, canola, and flax seed oil. High fat dairy products should be avoided, and you can drink soy milk and goat’s milk instead.

Cheeses made from soy milk and goat’s milk would also be good choices. Replace the empty calories of soda with delicious iced herb tea, green tea and lemon water.

Coffee should be avoided as much as possible, but you can drink hot herbal and green tea. Replace pasta with healthy whole grains such as wild rice, millet and quinoa.

When sweetening your foods, focus on natural products such as raw sugar, Stevia and maple sugar.

As you can see, you will have many nutritious choices that are both delicious and high in alkalizing properties.

GO ALKALINE AND SHARE IT WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Sources:
http://www.acidalkalinediet.net/
http://greenopedia.com/