To alkalize or not to alkalize?

 

In a word……both!

 

We want our bodies to run slightly alkaline but our guts must remain very much acidic.

 

The internet is full of blurb saying we need to be alkaline…..drink bicarb of soda …..take rennies….blah blah BUT it is a balanced diet and lifestyle which produces the right environment within, not a quick-fix powder drink. 

 

In fact, drinking ‘alkalizing’ solutions do more harm than good as they raise the pH (acid/alkali level) of our guts and not our bodies. 

 

We need an acidic gut to kill pathogens also to help start off digestion and the absorption of several nutrients like protein, B12 and iron. 

 

However

 

We want our cells to be alkaline which is dependent on the right balance of minerals being present and this happens when we eat potassium and magnesium-rich foods (fruits, veggies, nuts & seeds) and not sodium-rich foods (most processed & junk food) 

Acid producing bacteria like lactobacillus also help us keep an acidic gut.

 

Q:     How do we achieve the right balance?

 

A:     DIET! -A ‘Rainbow diet’ to quote Chris Woollams

 

*For alkaline cells - potassium-rich, magnesium-rich foods, but not sodium-rich

 

·      green vegetables 

·      nuts and seeds 

·      avocado

·      bananas

·      pomegranate

·      apricots

·      dark chocolate – yay! 

·      fish

 * For more acid-producing bacteria – 

 

·      vegetables

·      fruits

·      add bacteria - raw vinegars like apple cider vinegar, fresh sauerkraut, even a little unpasteurised cheese, and kefir and probiotic supplements if necessary

 

 

* For the strongest immune system – 

 

·      Soluble fibre - nuts, seeds, pulses, oats, vegetables.

 

 

Eat the rainbow today!

 

 

Minich, D.M. and Bland, J.S., 2007. Acid-alkaline balance: role in chronic disease and detoxification. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 13(4), p.62.

https://www.canceractive.com/article/why-you-need-an-acid-gut-and-an-alkaline-body