It will help to: o Assimilate vitamins and minerals from foods and supplements
you take
o Combat arthritis and heart disease
o Cleanse the kidneys, intestines and liver
o Protect your body from free radical cell damage
o Increase muscle and joint mobility
o Increase your oxygen levels
o Control digestive problems
o Regulate blood sugar
o Manage blood pressure
o Neutralize harmful acids
All food digested in our bodies metabolizes, or burns, down to an ash residue.
This ash residue can be neutral, acidic, or alkaline, depending mostly on the
mineral content of the original food. For example, pota-ssium, calcium,
magnesium, sodium, zinc, silver, copper, and iron form basic ash; sulphur,
phosphorus, chlorine, and iodine leave acid ash. Most elements are alkaline.
Acid Forming Foods:
Fortunately for us, it is easy to categorize which foods leave which kind of
ash. In general, animal foods - meat, eggs, dairy - processed and refined
foods, yeast products, fermented foods, grains, artificial-sweeteners, fruit,
and sugars are acidifying, as are alcohol, coffee, chocolate, black tea, and
sodas.
Alkaline Forming Foods:
Vegetables, on the other hand, are alkalizing. That includes a few that are
technically fruits: avocado, tomato, and bell peppers. A few non sweet citrus
fruits are also basic in the body, as are sprouted seeds, nuts, and grains.
Grains are acidifying, though a few (millet, buckwheat, and spelt) are only
very mildly so. Raw foods are more alkalizing, while cooked food is more
acidifying.
To Maintain pH Balance:
To maintain a balanced pH in your blood and tissues, your di-et should consist
of at least 70 to 80 percent basic foods -
that is, no more than 20 to 30 percent acidifying foods (and at least half of
that 70 to 80 percent should be raw)
The more alkaline your diet, the more rapid your improvement will be. Unlike
the familiar "food pyramid,"
which has an overall acidic effect, this program restores pH balance.
Food Charts:
These food "ash" pH charts provide some insight into which foods are
alkaline and which are acid. They have been broken down into three categories: foods that you can eat
freely, foods that you can eat sparingly, and foods best to avoid. These charts come in handy when making food choices.
And remember, some foods are listed on the "Foods You Should Avoid" chart because they contain yeast - the other
thing we are trying to avoid.
Each food is assigned a number which represents it's approximate relative
potential of acidity (-) or alkalinity (+) present in one ounce of food. The higher the (+) number, the better it is for you to eat.
*source: "Back To The House Of Health" by Shelley Redford Young
Beverages
Liquor -38.7
Wine -16.4
Beer -26.8
Coffee -25.1
Fruit Juice, Packaged, Natural -8.7
Fruit Juice Sweetened With
White Sugar -33.6
Tea (Black) -27.1
Here is the bottom line. You will eat for a lifetime and digestion is also the key to how well you will age. The more alkaline nutrients are absorbed into your cells the longer you will live.
