The acid vs. alkaline diet is a somewhat uncommon synonym for the alkaline diet. It is often thought to be an opposition between alkaline and acidic elements. It is far more beneficial to call it the acid alkaline balance diet or the acid alkaline diet or alkaline ash diet. These different phrases all refer to the same concept - by eating more alkaline foods and less acidic ones your body will turn more alkaline. The diet is based on a theory that certain foods, on consumption leave an alkaline residue or ash. Alkalinity and acidity are not essentially positive or negative. It is in our best interest to maintain a balance between the interconnected elements.
Foods are usually categorized as acidic or alkaline depending on the residue they leave in the body once they have metabolized. Some diets propagate only alkaline foods, others acidic. However, it is healthier to maintain a balance between the two. Health problems may occur if your body is too acidic or too alkaline. Acidosis develops with the former condition and alkalosis with the latter. Foods are classified into either alkaline or acidic depending on their pH values. pH refers to the power of hydrogen in a substance. A pH of 7 is considered neutral. Foods which have pH values above 7 are alkaline and those with pH values below 7, acidic. Our blood is slightly alkaline with a pH level between 7.35 and 7.45. The diet we follow should reflect this level and therefore be slightly alkaline. People believe that following an acidic diet can lead to the loss of vital minerals (calcium, sodium, magnesium and potassium) and also make people susceptible to certain illnesses.
A complete alkaline diet would be quite boring. You would have to cut out fish, meat, dairy products as well as tomatoes, peas and whole grain bread. An extreme alkaline diet would not provide you with the important nutrients found in acidic foods. Most of us have acidic bodies as we eat a lot of meat, sugar, alcohol and dairy products and very few alkaline fruits and vegetables. Balance is the key word while on such a diet. For example, if you eat chicken, you should cut down your dairy intake or if you cut out sugar and soft drinks you can eat a little more of dairy products or meat without your body becoming too acidic.
The main aim is to achieve and maintain a balance between the two groups of foods. Do, however, check with your doctor before making any dietary changes.
Author Resource:-
Kevin Pederson, authors web content for http://www.diethealthclub.com a complete online resource featuring diet, health and fitness. This article is focused on helping you plan for new year resolutions for healthy diet plans
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