Alkalizing has become a well
known word in the nutrition world. If you do a little research, you will
soon discover that there are many different versions of theories as to why a
person might want to add more high alkaline foods to their diet. So what’s
the deal with alkalizing? Is it just another fad, or is there some good
science behind it?

If you want the simplified answer, here it is: Yes the
general consensus is that putting more high alkaline foods into your diet is
a good idea, if for no other reason than the fact that most high alkaline
foods are very nutritious and efficient for your body to digest and to use,
and generally free from any controversy of being allergenic, hard to digest,
or cause for any major health concerns.

But there is more to alkalizing than that. Having balanced
pH, a pH reading of 7.365, is essential to healthy bodily
function.  All the food we eat will have either an acidic (less than 7
pH) or alkalizing (more than 7 pH) effect on our bodies. A lot of the modern,
western foods (meat, cheese, processed and simple carbohydrates, coffee,
carbonated beverages, and alcohol) that we eat tend to be acidic, where more
traditional, plant based, whole foods tend to be alkaline. Since many of
us live on a diet of mostly acidic foods, we are putting our bodies at a
disadvantage and making it work harder to maintain healthy pH balance. That
is why many believe that making a conscious effort to incorporate more
alkaline foods into the diet is a good idea.

But this is where people could become misinformed and some
confusion might start to set in. The truth is, your body will naturally
regulate your blood pH no matter what you eat. If our bodies didn’t regulate
in this way, we would all be very sick or dead by now. So, why bother to
think about it or even try, when our bodies know what to do, and there are so
many yummy cheeseburgers with bacon to be explored? Well, besides the fact
that helping your body along with more conscious eating can only help in its
natural endeavor to achieve optimal pH and wellness, it is also known that
consuming too much acidic food can have other adverse effects on your body,
not necessarily related to blood pH.

A primary example of this is what acidic foods can
inadvertently do to your kidneys over time. Basically, the food you eat gets
digested or “burned,” kind of like the way fuel is burned, but in a
different context. The ash or waste that remains also has a pH, and when your
ash is too acidic, the kidneys produce ammonia as a base to neutralize the
acid. This is necessary and a good thing in the short term, but over time, it
can have a toxic effect and cause harm to the kidneys, which can lead to
kidney failure, leading to other health issues. That is why plant based
(or more alkaline) diets have been prescribed to patients with kidney failure
for years. Dr. Micheal Gregor explains this well when he uses animal protein
and kidney function as his topic in this quick
video from his nutrition website, nutrition
facts.org.

So my theory is: the fact that high alkaline foods just happen to
be very healthy for you, is probably the main reason why people are getting
so many real-life positive results from alkalizing. And the underlying
benefits of better kidney health, and giving your body a chemical helping
hand in regulating blood pH, can be considered added benefits. In any case,
there are plenty of compelling arguments suggesting that you could greatly
benefit by inserting more high alkaline foods into your
diet.

You don’t have to go crazy and buy expensive water filters or
invest in thousands of dollars in supplements to get more alkaline into your
diet. I created a list of some of the most common foods we eat every day,
that also happen to be high on the alkaline food scale. When you go out to do
your shopping, consider how you can incorporate these foods into your regular
routine, if they aren’t there already, and make alkalizing simple and
seamless!

List of High Alkaline Foods for Everyday Diets

#1: Avocado

Who doesn’t have an avocado sitting on their counter at all times?
Little do most people know that Avocado scores a 9 out of 1o on the pH scale.
And, it is a great whole-food source of essential fatty acids, known as
“good fats.” And here is a tip: if your avocado is starting to get
soft, don’t wait until you think you have a reason to use it. Just cut that
baby open, and sprinkle some sea salt, fresh cracked pepper and lemon juice,
and enjoy! By the way, lemon is also featured on this list (see high alkaline
foods #2) so you are getting an extra alkaline boost when you enjoy an
avocado this way.

#2: Lemons & Limes

This confuses some, because people naturally associate lemon with
acid. I am featuring lemon for this very reason, to give you an example and
 learning opportunity. The aesthetics of a food (sour and acidic) does
not necessarily constitute how it is going to chemically react in your body
when digested. Lemons and limes are a perfect example of this fact. Coming in
at the top of the scale with a pH of around 10, you can go ahead and add some
more lemon to that salad dressing and know you are getting a good alkaline
boost.

#3: Blueberries

Who doesn’t love blueberries? You will love them more now that you
know that they score a 9 on the the pH scale! And, they are rich in
antioxidants, vitamins C and K, fiber, and manganese. Blueberries aren’t the
only fruit that get a high alkaline foods grading. You can also add pears,
grapes, kiwi, melon, tangerine, figs, dates, mango and papaya to this
list.

#4: Broccoli

Broccoli is about the most common vegetable out there, and
fortunately one of the most nutritious. Not only does broccoli score a 10 on
the pH scale, it is essentially a super food, packed with efficient nutrition
like manganese, fiber, vitamins C and K, and more. If you are serious about
alkalizing, then by all means sprinkle away the lemon juice over the steamed
broccoli for an alkaline powerhouse dish. If traditional broccoli bores you,
try flowering Chinese
broccoli, purple broccoli or any number of
broccoli’s that are in season at your farmer’s market right
now!

#5: Onion

Yes, that hidden ingredient in just about everything we eat also
scores a 10 on the pH scale. This might inspire you to figure out ways to
substitute less healthy, acidic flavorings with some good old onions. In my
meal planning and work for my nutrition clients, I find that onions
become practically a staple in many healthy stews, soups, sauces, and salads.
I challenge you to explore how to get more onion into your meals, even more
than you already have been.

#6: Cucumbers

I love it when I can get hidden nutritional perks from versatile,
everyday foods. Cucumber fits that bill perfectly. Easy to slice and dip, or
to enjoy in a salad, you are getting another 10 pH scoring food every time
you slip a cucumber onto your plate, or into your glass of water. Some other
high alkaline salad ingredients besides cucumber are carrots, cabbage,
radishes, and kale. Imagine how getting a salad per day, rich in these foods,
can help with your alkalizing efforts!

#7: Peppers

Another secret weapon for flavor, like onions, peppers can add a
spicy or sweet undertone to your stir fry, pasta, soup, or raw in a chopped
salad. I personally love the versatility of the red bell pepper, providing a
color for the eyes, some sweetness, and a little nutritional variety. Try
throwing a half a red bell pepper into the blender with some olive oil and
lemon juice and garlic for an alkalizing salad dressing.

#8 Green Tea

If you want one specific area where you can make a very big impact
on the pH of your food intake, consider replacing your morning coffee with a
cup of green tea. Whereas coffee comes in as moderately acidic, around 5 on
the pH scale, green tea scores a 10, or highly alkaline! When you put cream
or milk, and refined sugar into your coffee, it adds to the acidic overload.
So, by enjoying a cup of green tea by itself or with some lemon and a touch
of raw honey, you are reversing the effect with a high alkaline morning
beverage, rather than high acidic.

What About Protein Powders and Supplements?

If higher alkaline food intake is your focus, you may want to
check the ingredient deck of your favorite protein powder. Many protein
powders contain soy or whey isolates, and other processed ingredients, which
commonly score low or acidic on the pH scale, depending on how they are
formulated. You can remedy that by choosing whole
food supplements that are specifically formulated to promote
healthy pH balance. A morning smoothie with a pH balanced supplement, raw
almond milk, blueberries, or spinach can give you an excellent energizing,
cleansing, and alkalizing boost first thing in the morning.

If you have enjoyed learning more about what the heck is actually
going on with alkalizing and the foods you eat, you will love our 12-Day
Detox! It’s 12 days of eating alkalizing, whole, clean foods for a simple
detox that doesn’t leave you starving. Check
it out here!

Other references: Robert O.
Young and Shelley Redford Young’s The ph Miracle: Balance Your Diet, Reclaim
Your Health