An alkaline diet is a diet that consists mainly of vegetables, fresh fruit, roots/tuber, nuts and legumes.
It is loosely based on the theory that our ancestors ate a diet very similar to this (rich in alkaline food) and was made up of unprocessed foods, void of refined grains, milk, cheeses, and meat, and experienced very little of the ailments we currently have in modern society. It suggests that our diet should reflect our natural blood pH level, which varies between 7.35 and 7.45.
A majority of the foods we currently consume are acidic in nature, thereby offsetting our pH balance. Conditions such as heartburn and stomach ulcers can be a result of or exacerbated by the intake of acidic foods, strengthening the case that alkaline foods are a better option for our daily diet.
As with all diets, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor before you make the switch, as there are certain people, such as those with kidney problems, who should not be on the alkaline diet and consume alkaline food. However, for most who incorporate the alkaline diet into their lives, marked health improvements are often experienced.
