Alkaline Foods

Human life, just like all life on earth, depends on appropriate pH levels in and around living organisms and cells. For us, a tightly controlled pH level in the serum of about 7.4 – that’s a slightly alkaline range – is needed in order to ensure survival.

Increasing industrialization, especially in developed nations like the United States, has lead to increasing CO2 deposition – resulting in the pH of the ocean dropping from 8.2 to 8.1, a change which has had a negative impact on marine life. Even the pH balance of the soil we grow our food in has an impact on the mineral content of that food – minerals are, after all, used as buffers to maintain pH balance.

When it comes down to it, the alkaline diet is simply a diet that relies heavily on nutrients derived from vegetables and other natural foods. Anyone can benefit from such a diet, so with that in mind, here are several alkaline foods that you can start adding to your diet.

1. Swiss Chard

Swiss chard is an incredibly healthy food – not only is it alkaline, it also has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, and is full of much-needed antioxidants(2).

2. Melon

With a pH level of 8.5, these fruits are super alkaline, but they’re also loaded with fiber to help cleanse your digestive tract, and water to help hydrate you.

3. Berries

Loaded with fibre and antioxidants, berries are one of the best type of fruits you can eat.

4. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil is loaded with vitamin E and monounsaturated fatty acids, making it a great addition to any diet.

5. Flax seeds

High in fiber and vitamin E, flax seeds are a very alkaline food – but they also have other benefits: they can reduce hot flashes in women(3) and help fight inflammation.

Other Foods To Include In An Alkaline Diet

The previously mentioned five foods are a good place to start when building any diet, but if you’re looking to alkalize your body, there are plenty of other foods to look to as well.

Alkalizing Vegetables

• Alfalfa
• Barley Grass
• Beets
• Beet Greens
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Carrot
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Chard Greens
• Chlorella
• Collard Greens
• Cucumber
• Dandelions
• Edible Flowers
• Eggplant
• Fermented Veggies
• Garlic
• Green Beans
• Green Peas
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Mushrooms
• Mustard Greens
• Nightshade Veggies
• Onions
• Parsnips (high glycemic)
• Peas
• Peppers
• Pumpkin
• Radishes
• Rutabaga
• Sea Veggies
• Spinach, green
• Spirulina
• Sprouts
• Sweet Potatoes
• Tomatoes
• Watercress
• Wheat Grass
• Wild Greens

Alkalizing Fruits

• Apple
• Apricot
• Avocado
• Banana (high glycemic)
• Cantaloupe
• Cherries, sour
• Coconut, fresh
• Dates, dried
• Figs, dried
• Grapes
• Grapefruit*
• Honeydew Melon
• Lemon*
• Lime*
• Orange*
• Peach
• Pear
• Pineapple
• Rhubarb
• Tangerine*
• Tomato
• Tropical Fruits
• Umeboshi Plums
• Watermelon

*Although it might seem that citrus fruits would have an acidifying effect on the body, the citric acid they contain actually has an alkalinizing effect in the system.

Alkalizing Protein

• Almonds
• Chestnuts
• Millet
• Tempeh (fermented)
• Tofu (fermented)

Alkalizing Spices & Seasonings

• Cinnamon
• Curry
• Ginger
• Mustard
• Chili Pepper
• Sea Salt
• Miso
• Tamari
• All Herbs

Alkalizing Others

• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Bee Pollen
• Molasses, blackstrap
• Probiotic Cultures
• Green Juices
• Veggie Juices
• Fresh Fruit Juice
• Mineral Water

sources:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3195546/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16167740
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17761129