Balance is the key to a happy, healthy lifestyle. Eating well. Maintaining a healthy weight. Reducing stress. Getting plenty of sleep. Boosting our immune systems and increasing our energy levels. It’s all about balanced living.
When our bodies are in an alkaline state, we experience better health and mental clarity, enjoy sharper decision-making skills, and resist disease. When our bodies are outside of an alkaline state, we are acidic, which can lead to a foggy or cloudy mental state, lethargy, and increased illness. An alkaline diet also contributes to balanced sugar and diabetes protection and kidney health, while an acidic diet contributes to bone loss and the weakening of bones due to acidosis.
According to the NIH (National Institute of Health), critically ill patients frequently present with acute metabolic acidosis. It’s a major—and often undiagnosed—health risk.
How We Achieve Alkalinity and Acidity
So how do we make sure we’re living in a state of alkalinity? Our metabolisms convert food into energy, and what’s left over is known as metabolic waste. That waste can be alkaline—neutral—or acidic. The more neutral, or balanced, we keep things, the better off we are.
Balance is the key – not simply avoiding foods that leave acidic metabolic waste. For example, most proteins can leave acidic residue. But our bodies need proteins, so we can’t simply avoid those foods and expect to achieve alkalinity. Instead, the answer is balance. And that balance comes from eating and drinking foods with calcium, magnesium, and potassium components as well, such as fruits, nuts, beans and vegetables.
When laid out clearly, we begin to see and understand the importance of a balanced diet. However, many types of foods can skew one way or the other. For instance, while peas and green beans from the beans and legumes category are alkaline, pinto and lima beans are acidic.
This chart can help you determine which specific foods you can eat to achieve the balance you need.
Our bodies work best when they’re at a 7.3 pH level, which is slightly alkaline. But how do we know if we are alkaline or acidic, aside from balancing our food intake?
Purchase a packet of pH Hydrion test papers, with a range of 5.5 to 8. Every morning, before having anything to eat or drink, test your urine. If it’s below 7.0, then your urine is on the acidic side. If readings are below 6.5, consider changing your diet to increase alkalinity. Juicing pure organic green juice is a great way to flood your body with alkalinity.
The Fastest Route to Balance
If you’ve already determined that maintaining internal balance is in the consumption of more fruits and veggies, then you’re on the right track! And if you’re wondering how you can eat enough fresh, green veggies and fruits to counteract the protein and sugar in your diet, you’re not alone.
Fortunately, cold-pressed juices can provide all the benefits of eating those leafy greens and alkaline fruits. In one bottle of Mean Green, you can enjoy pounds of kale, which will lower acidity for a balanced pH level. Greens not your thing? That’s okay. There are other juices that can help you achieve similar results.
Take a look at the chart we shared earlier. You’ll find pineapple, apple, and lemon on the alkaline side of the chart. Those fruits are in our Grasshopper, which sweeten the kale, spinach, and romaine that are so important for lowering acidity.
Really, you’re just steps away from true balance, find a store and let Garden of Flavor help you get there!