The Benefits Of Alkaline Nutrition On Our Body

The acid-base balance in the blood ranges on a scale from 0 (strongly acidic) to 14 (strongly alkaline). A pH value of 7.0 (middle) is neutral. The average pH value of a healthy person is about 7.4. With the help of breathing and the kidneys, the body can keep acid-base homeostasis in equilibrium. In addition, buffer systems in the blood help with short-term fluctuations.

If the value falls below 7.35, doctors speak of hyperacidity (acidosis). A disturbed acid-base homeostasis can constrict the blood vessels and cause heart problems. Other symptoms include headaches, impure skin, chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal complaints, muscle cramps or heartburn.

From a naturopathic point of view, hyperacidity leads to chronic ailments and signs of ageing. An alkaline diet prevents over-acidification of the body and generally ensures greater well-being and healthy body weight.

People with diabetes, impaired kidney function or lung function are particularly at risk of acidosis. Highly acidic are all animal foods as well as protein-rich foods and some types of cereals. But our general lifestyle also has an impact on our acid-base homeostasis. Over-acidification favours above all:

• Stress
• Too less water
• Ready-made meals
• Regular alcohol consumption and smoking
• An unbalanced diet
• Constipation
• Medication
• Too little exercise or extreme sports

In order to rebalance the pH value, nutrition plays a major role. Vegetables and salads are important sources of alkaline. Most fruits, potatoes and herbs are also healthy and alkaline. Not all foods that contain acid are acidic. For example, citrus fruits are counted as alkaline foods.

Alkaline foods have many alkaline minerals and trace elements. They are low in acid-forming amino acids and do not leave behind any waste products when metabolised. They stimulate the body's own alkaline formation and have an anti-inflammatory effect. Alkaline foods promote intestinal health, have a high water content and contain valuable plant substances.

Neutral foods include all high-quality, cold-pressed fats and oils such as coconut oil, linseed oil, walnut oil or olive oil. They are therefore not alkaline, but also not acid-forming.

In most cases, the alkaline diet is used as a temporary cure. It is often used as a companion for purification cures, detoxification, intestinal cleansing, heavy metal detox or weight reduction. The duration of a cure varies. It can be extended from 10 to 14 days up to 4 weeks. Once the organism has been cleansed again, one switches to an alkaline-surplus diet. This means that the diet now consists of about 75 % alkaline and 25 % healthy acid-forming foods - measured by the volume of food on the plate.

The alkaline-surplus diet is suitable as a permanent dietary style. This is because it also uses those foods that have a high nutrient and micronutrient density but are not considered acid-forming. These include foods such as nuts, legumes or whole grains.

Acid-forming foods are rich in acidic minerals and acid-forming amino acids. They lead to the formation of waste products and cannot stimulate the body's own alkaline formation. They also contain low water content, prevent the body's own deacidification processes and promote the development of inflammations. Acid-forming foods can worsen intestinal health.

The alkaline-surplus diet consists of alkaline-forming and good acid-forming foods. Good acid-forming foods have a little acid-forming effect and also contain important nutrients for our bodies. Therefore, they are an optimal addition to our diet and important for balancing acid-base homeostasis.

Good acidifiers:

• Whole grains
• Products made from whole grains such as pasta and bread
• Nuts
• Legumes
• Animal products from organic farming in manageable quantities

Poor acid producers:

• Animal products from conventional farming
• Alcohol
• Ready-made products
• Coffee
• White flour
• Sugar

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