When you choose to eat an alkaline diet, you are actually eating foods that are very similar to what man was designed to eat.
If you look at what our ancestors ate, you will find a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and fish.
Unfortunately, man's diet today is frequently full of foods that are high in unhealthy fats, salt, cholesterol, and acidifying foods.
How Our Diet Changed Although some people think that man's diet changed only recently, the shift from a largely alkaline diet to an acid diet actually began thousands of years ago.
Our original diet consisted of foraged fruits, nuts and vegetables, along with whatever meat could be caught.
As soon as man started to grow his own food, things started to change.
Grains became a popular diet choice, especially after the development of stone tools.
Once animals were domesticated, there were dairy products added to the diet, along with an additional amount of meat.
Salt began to be added, along with sugar.
The end result was a diet that was still much healthier than what many people eat today, but the shift from alkaline to acid had begun.
Recent Dietary Changes It's no secret that our modern diet consists of many foods which are not healthy for us.
Too much junk food and "fast food" has decreased the quality of our diet.
Obesity has become the norm, and along with it a higher incidence of diseases such as diabetes, coronary disease, and cancer.
If you want to improve your health and reduce the risk of many diseases, an alkaline diet can help get your body back to basics.
What is an Alkaline Diet? When foods are eaten and digested, they produce either an acidifying or alkalizing effect within the body.
Some people get confused because the actual pH of the food itself doesn't have anything to do with the effect of the food once it is digested.
When more alkaline foods are consumed, the body can become slightly alkaline instead of acid.
Ideally, the blood pH level should be between 7.
35 and 7.
45.
Foods such as citrus fruits, soy products, raw fruits and vegetables, wild rice, almonds, and natural sweeteners such as Stevia are all good alkaline food choices.
Benefits of an Alkaline Diet There are many benefits to shifting your eating patterns from acid to alkaline.
When the body is kept slightly alkaline, it is less susceptible to disease.
It's easier to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight level on an alkaline diet.
Most people experience an increase in their energy level, as well as a lessening of anxiety and irritability once they begin eating more alkaline foods.
Mucous production is decreased and nasal congestion is reduced, making it easier to breath.
Allergies are frequently alleviated as a result of an alkaline diet.
The body is also less susceptible to illnesses such as cancer and diabetes.
Most people find that they just feel better, with an increased sense of health and well-being, once they make a conscious effort to adhere to an alkaline diet.