10) ACIDIC OR ALKALINE?

FOOD PYRAMID

The Internet has opened a huge window into the world of health food for me. 



We have been taught what to eat more and what to eat less as depicted in the food pyramid. There is more to it than meets the eye. Now with the help of science, we know what happens when we ingest certain food. Digging deeper, I found a most informative food chart.  


The food pyramid should be relegated to the desert.

LEMONS

It may come as a surprise to most of us that some of the fruits such as lemons and limes that are thought to be acidic actually turns alkaline once it enters our body.  Research has shown that eating more alkaline food is more beneficial to our health compared to acidic food.  As the chart suggest, we should be eating only 20% of the acidic food.  Really?  How many of us are doing that?  

LIMES

Acidic food is so temptingly delicious that we tend to over indulge.  The high salt content, additives and hidden sugars are the main culprits.  It makes us want to eat more even though at the back of our minds, we know that it is bad for us. The adage saying of "What taste good is bad for you." rings true.

Case in point, Potato Chips, Pizzas, Hamburgers, French Fries, Soft Drinks and Fried Chicken. Hypothetically, if I were to eat such foods for a whole month,  I  will have hips the size of large pizzas with extra cheese, waist as round as a hamburger, thighs resembling drumsticks and a blood sugar result that is off the charts! Seriously though, chocolate with nuts, any type of nuts is my kryptonite.  I just need to remember to take only 20% which will be difficult since it is what? Two bites from a 100 gram chocolate bar? Yikes! That is going to be tough but it can be done.  Let the battle with the bulge begin.


So exactly what does alkaline food do for us? The is a summary of what one Dr Susan E. Brown, PhD an anthropologist (bone doctor)  has to say.

Eat less acidic food like burgers and fries

pH balance in our bodies is important for healthy bones.  Our internal body is naturally alkaline with a pH just over 7.0.  In an alkaline environment, our enzymatic, immunologic, and repair mechanisms will function well.  However, the metabolism of food, our biochemical functioning and many other important life processes, all produce a lot of acid.

Fried Food will increase metabolic acids

Example, when we exercise, lactic acid and carbon dioxide is produced.  Both by-products are by nature acidic. Our immune system manifest as allergies and hypersensitivity together with stress generate a great deal of acidic by-products too. Lastly, acids are generated when we eat and digest food.  Sulfuric acid is produced when sulfur-containing amino acids metabolize.  Phosphoric acid is a food additive.  Metabolism of long-chain fatty acids will also produce acids.


The body is constantly working to maintain pH within a narrow range.  Therefore, it is important to protect or neutralize metabolic acids from becoming excessive. In order for the body to do that, it needs alkaline mineral salts of organic anions to buffer acids.  The answer is a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. 


In our bodies we have what is called buffering mineral pools and if we do not eat enough fruits and vegetables, this pool can be depleted and our internal body will be more acidic.  When this happens, it becomes a contributing factor to all degenerative and autoimmune diseases.  Cell metabolism will be affected causing water retention and an increase in free radical production.  Kidney specialist have observed that as people age and have low metabolic acidic condition will contribute to various health problems, including bone loss, muscle mass loss, a reduction in growth hormone, and suffers from kidney stones.

Eat more Fruits and Vegetables

Therefore, restoring our pH level to 7.0 plays an important role to the regeneration of bone, immune system and overall well-being.

A simple way to increase our body alkalinity is to add two to three slices of lemon in your drinking water every day.  Just replenish the water.  Replace the lemon slices the next day.





And there you have it.  Start eating more alkaline food and you are on your way to a better and healthier life. Sometimes doing something simple is the hardest thing to do.   I think it all boils down to finding the right motivation which I have covered in my earlier topic, "How to motivate yourselves to be health."

My next topic of discussion is entitled "My Pet Pooch Is Under Tick Attack!"

You may also like to read:

1) HUSTON, WE HAVE A FAT PROBLEM.

2) HOW TO MOTIVATE YOURSELF TO BE HEALTHY.

34) WHAT IS BB CREAM?

18) I LOST 5 KG IN 2 MONTHS

My Art Corner

Splash!

This is my first attempt at drawing water.  It was a challenge but I think I did a decent job.   What do you think?

Thanks for looking and taking the time to read my blog. I welcome feedback and please feel free to share your experiences in relation to today's topic.

Until my next post, "Here's to your health!"