Importance of Alkalinity

One of the advantages of a raw food diet is that it naturally maintains the body’s proper pH. In simple terms, pH measures, on a scale of zero to 14, the level of hydrogen ion concentration. A pH level over 7.0 is more alkaline; a pH level under 7.0 is more acidic. Pure water and typical human saliva are pH neutral. Healthy human blood is slightly alkaline.

The human body uses acids to help digest proteins and alkalines, or bases, to digest starches. But optimum body health is maintained when it is consistently in an alkaline state. In fact, research shows that maintaining a proper pH balance keeps us healthier by reducing fatigue, easing muscle pains and preventing indigestion.

Ideally, 80 percent of what we eat should be alkaline and just 20 percent acidic. For most Americans, though, their diets are almost the opposite, too heavily dependent on processed foods and too deficient in fresh fruits and vegetables. A diet made up of dairy products, wheat and animal protein is very acid heavy and contributes to weakening your overall physical and mental health.  Dr. Young, author of The pH Miracle Diet, and others believes excess body acidity can lead to headaches, arthritis, dry skin, fatigue, recurring infections, obesity and general weight gain, and anxiety.

The best way to maintain our pH balance is by eating alkaline foods. A raw diet is the easiest way to ensure proper alkalinity. The foods highest in alkaline include vegetables, alternative grains, vegetarian protein and some fruits. A raw diet is also easier on your digestive system and gives your body more nutrients and vitamins, which in turn makes it runs more efficiently. Dr. Robert Young, says when the body is alkaline, colds along with many other diseases cannot live.

As an added bonus, keeping a proper alkaline level will also make us lose weight. When your pH level becomes acidic, your body automatically tries to protect itself so it sores the excess acid in fat cells. The more acid is had to remove, the more fat cells required to sore it. The way to lose weight is to reserve the process: change to a high alkaline raw food diet that cleanses your body of excess acid. The body no longer needs the extra fat cells and you will lose weight.

Quick tip: Adding fresh-squeezed lemon to a glass of water is one of the easiest ways to immediately add alkalinity to your body. Even though lemon seems acidic, once metabolized it is actually alkaline.