Alkaline-forming versus acid-forming foods

Alkaline-forming versus acid-forming foods

According to modern biochemistry, it is not the organic matter of foods that contribute to acid or alkaline residues in the body. The inorganic matter — sulfur, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium — determines the acidity or alkalinity of the body fluids

by Joanne Henning Tedesco — 

Most of the foods that people eat today are acid forming. These include refined grains, pasteurized dairy, conventional meat, vegetable oils, artificial sweeteners and processed sugars. A diet composed primarily of these acid-forming foods inhibits nerve function and damages cells. Experts in the field believe a diet composed of roughly 80 percent alkaline-forming foods and 20 percent acid-forming foods is ideal.

Natural foods contain both acid- and alkaline-forming elements. In some, acid-forming elements dominate; in others, alkaline-forming elements dominate. According to modern biochemistry, it is not the organic matter of foods that contribute to acid or alkaline residues in the body. The inorganic matter — sulfur, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium — determines the acidity or alkalinity of the body fluids.

According to resources on acid- and alkaline-forming foods, some of the best alkaline- forming foods include: almonds, avocados, cayenne pepper, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage), cucumbers, chia seeds, dates, figs, fresh coconuts, leafy greens (kale, spinach, Swiss chard, turnip greens), lemons, melons (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew), raisins, milk (raw, grass fed), root vegetables (radishes, carrots, beets, turnips, rutabagas), sprouts, string beans and wheatgrass.

These are just a few of the most alkaline foods available; there are many more you can eat, but this will help you to understand the types of foods you should focus more heavily on incorporating into your diet. Be sure to decrease consumption of acid-forming foods like alcohol, breads, feedlot-based meats, sugar and coffee.

See the following resources for more information about acid-forming and alkaline-forming foods. balance-ph-diet.com, edgarcayce.org and livingthepresence.org.

Joanne Henning Tedesco is editor of AzNetNews.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 34, Number 6, December 2015/January 2016.