Alkaline Diet
The Alkaline Diet is a diet that emphasizes unprocessed foods such as fresh fruits, nuts, vegetables, legumes and roots. This diet is based upon the idea that our hunger and gatherer ancestors ate a very different diet. Since the Western diet is much different than our ancestors, it is believed that today’s diet contributes to illness, excessive weight gain and lack of energy. The Alkaline term is based upon the ph balance in our blood which can be heavily alkaline when we eat the typical Western Diet. However, switching to a hunter and gatherer type of diet can lower the amount of alkaline found in our blood making us healthier, increasing our energy and overall lowering our weight.
The History of the Western Diet
It should be noted that many of the foods we eat today are pretty new to our bodies. For instance, grains were only cultivated since the ability of man to create stone tools were developed. Milk, dairy and the consumption of meat were only widely accepted since agricultural and animal husbandry developed. Sugar consumed in mass was generally a result of the Industrial Revolution. In essence, our bodies are not fully efficient at eating today’s Western diet which includes lots of sugar, red meat, lots of salt and processed foods that contain preservatives.
Pros of the Alkaline Diet
It should be noted that those that go on the Alkaline Diet generally want to achieve lower weight, increase their energy and overall be healthier. While scientific studies regarding this diet are in the works, currently there is no evidence either way whether or not this diet is significantly helpful.
Generally speaking eating more fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts is healthy and recommended by many of today’s diets.
Cons of the Alkaline Diet
However, regarding claims made about blood alkaline have not yet been supported. As always, before starting a new diet program consult with your physician first.
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