What is An Alkaline Diet?

An alkaline diet can be generally described as a diet where certain foods which are alkaline in nature are encouraged in varying proportions. These foods include but are not limited to tubers, green vegetables, fruit such as tomatoes and avocados and some legumes. The reason behind this kind of diet is that your health is hinged upon a ratio of alkaline to acid composition in your body, according to most alkaline diet books. The optimum ratio of acid to alkaline proponents in your body is said to be 80 : 20. This is the optimum ratio needed for an efficient and powerful immune system, increased stamina and revitalized strength.

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When you decide to partake in an alkaline diet which is sometimes refereed to as alkaline acid diet or alkaline ash diet, the food which you eat promotes alkalinity in your body by leaving a residue (ash) in the body. This "ash" contains vital elements that promote alkalinity in the body. These elements include calcium, zinc, iron, copper and magnesium. It is, therefore, important to note that foods that contain a high amount of any of the above mentioned elements are generally classified in the alkaline diet.

The normal pH level (level of acidity or alkalinity of a fluid) of the human blood is supposed to be about 7.4 which is slightly alkaline. However, a high percentage of the food we eat release an acid to the blood.  Consequently, an increase in the acidity of blood promotes the loss of important elements whose presence is critical in the body. These elements include the calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium. While the body tries to take care of the deficiency of these minerals, the immune system becomes weaker and weaker. The alkaline foods basically decrease the acidity of our blood and ensure that a proper equilibrium is maintained for the optimum functioning of body processes.

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Alkaline diet is a diet recommended for people with certain kinds of symptoms. These symptoms include lack of energy, frequent headaches, Nasal, congestion, never ending colds and anxiety or irritability. It is also worth mentioning that Alkaline diets may be instrumental in preventing age related muscle wasting, kidney stones and osteoporosis. The justification of the alkaline diet came about when the staple diet gradually changed over some period of time. This gradual change in diet led to people eating more acid food and with it came the deterioration of health and general well being of people. In the ancient days people used to live longer, but as refined grains, milk and milk product, sugar and meat gradually became staple foods, there was a decreasing in health of the people. Alkaline diet generally re-stabilizes the imbalance and ensures that the body does not have to struggle with the deficiencies caused by too much acid. By consuming a little bit of alkaline food, we maintain this perfect balance to the body.

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Find out more about alkaline diets at alkalinedietplan.org.