Several studies suggest that acidification of the modern diet is harmful to human health. Discover the best alkalinising foods for restoring an optimal acid-base balance.
The food we eat nowadays bears no resemblance to that eaten by our Paleolithic hunter-gatherer forebears.
The development of agriculture around 10,000 years ago, followed by industrialisation 200 years ago, have led to an unprecedented acidification of our diet (1-2).
While the ratio of potassium to sodium used to be around 10:1, it is now estimated to be 1:3. This is due to a decline in consumption of fruit, vegetables and fibre, and a rise in that of simple sugars, salt and unhealthy fats (trans and saturated), excess levels of which can quickly become toxic to the body.
According to the acid-balance theory espoused by Franz Xaver Mayr and Howard Hay, this major shift may have minor but long-lasting effects on our blood’s pH, gradually contributing to chronic low-level acidosis and overloading the buffering systems responsible for regulating the body’s pH.
This metabolic problem could be behind many symptoms such as fatigue and lack of energy, and promote the development of various chronic disorders (4) such as hypertension and osteoporosis.
To counter this acidosis, supporters of the theory recommend consuming alkalinising foods and reducing intake of acidifying foods (to a maximum of 30%). This is sometimes referred to as the ‘alkaline diet’.
There are several methods of classifying foods according to their acid or base nature (including the Potential Renal Acid Load or PRAL), but in general terms, the higher a food’s protein content, the more acidifying it is.
This should not be confused with a food’s taste: lemons have an acidic flavour but an alkalinising effect.
Here is a list of the most acid-forming foods according to nutritionist Sarah Brown in her bestselling book The Acid-Alkaline Food Guide:
From the most to the least alkalinising: dried apricots, candied pineapple, raisins, dried figs, prunes, dried dates, candied pears, bananas, guavas, papayas, passion fruit, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, melon.
Dried fruits clearly top the list as the nutrients become concentrated in the flesh as the fruit is dried. Eat them as snacks and add them to your desserts.
Again, in descending order: yams, chard, plantains, raw spinach, cooked potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, beans, asparagus, green leafy vegetables, endive, curly kale, celery.
Those vegetables considered to be starches are best of all. Cook them with green vegetables like cabbage, or combine them with pulses when eating acidifying foods. Try to eat vegetables raw when you can as they contain more phytonutrients.
This is the most alkalinising of all the food groups, due to their exceptional mineral content. In descending order: parsley, chervil, basil, dill, spearmint, savory, oregano, turmeric, paprika, thyme, chilli, ginger.
The vast majority of seeds, grains and nuts are also alkalinising but only fennel seeds, celery seeds, dill seeds and cumin seeds make the list of top base foods.
To move more effectively towards an alkalinising diet, you can also take advantage of ‘alkalinising’ supplements (such as Alkaline Formula, which contains alkaline nutrients, minerals that help maintain a good acid-base balance and plant extracts studied in this context : liquorice root, camomile flower, parsley, papaya, ginger root…)
References
Keywords
4 Days
You are so quick in processing orders and prompt in shipping too. Very easy to do business with you. Thanks a lot for your great service.
JOAQUIN Epifanio
10 Days
I am merely judging the delivery system, which was flawless. It wouldn't make any sense to comment on the efficacy of the supplements, since that is only possible on a statistical basis. Even if something doesn't improve, that doesn't have to mean that the supplement doesn't work, since one doesn't know how it might have worsened without the supplement and the opposite might also apply, since many symptoms are psychosomatic and the supplement might provide a placebo effect.
Roger De Backer
18 Days
Perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Patrick
20 Days
Magnesium and Zinc Orotate are top supplements. Highly recommend!
Kristjan
31 Days
Nothing to complain. Delivers everything fast, attentive to their regular customers. Best experience.
FABIO I.
34 Days
Possibility to enjoy a variety of high quality suppléments. Fast delivery Good packaging Clear information and website
Vov Oo
36 Days
Efficient ordering and delivery. Happy with products. I order fairly regularly. Reliable
Gill Lee
36 Days
Supersmart sell the best products and are effecient when it come to handling and dispatching orders. Also, their return and refund policies is very simple and easy for the customer. The creme on top is the return customer discounts. Keep up the good work.
ABDULQADER Jehad
40 Days
Prompt and reliable.
MIFSUD Joseph
47 Days
I don't use the word great; everything was OK; it is maybe too early to expect an effect of the supplements
STAEHLI C
53 Days
Well,It was yesterday I started using it but I can tell the supplement is working perfect,will definitely still give best comments once I'm done using it ...
ANTHONY Oluwaseun Ugwu
54 Days
Great products, fast delivery.
Nujood ALHADDAD
63 Days
Easy and quick
Derya Iren
64 Days
Quick delivery, big choice of supplements. Good quality.
Val
66 Days
Great vitamins at a great price! I buy Bacillus subtilis which I really can’t find anywhere else which is great for intestinal health. 5 stars to Supersmart Vitamins.
Loli Vaughan