If your current lifestyle needs a little overhaul as we head into summer, resetting your system by ‘alkalising’ your body could be the jumpstart you need.
The Alkalising Detox Diet – or ADD for short – is the latest way to optimal health, according to Australian naturopath Mim Beim.
Writing for Body + Soul, Ms Beim explained that if the body is overly acidic it can effect have an well-being.
‘For instance, lemons are sour and acidic, yet they have an alkalising effect on the body. This is due to lemons’ mineral content, and the influence these minerals have on pH, or the acid/alkaline scale. The upshot is acidic tasting foods can be alkalising.’
Ms Beim explained that if the body is overly acidic it can effect on health and well-being
In essence, she said, the lower your body acidity, the better your system can function.
‘For instance stomach acid has a low pH of 2 – 3 (or acid), whereas bile, which helps break down fat has a high (or more alkaline) pH of 8 -9. Blood pH is between 7.35 – 7.45 which makes it slightly alkaline.’
The natural health expert also believes ADD can have a positive impact on certain conditions including arthritis, cancer, osteoporosis, gout and eczema.
‘The best way to prevent them is to reduce acid forming foods and increase alkaline forming foods,’ she said.
For those considering trying the alkalising food plan, the benefits can include more energy, weight loss, greater concentration and glowing skin.
Health benefits to alkalising your diet such as more energy, weight loss, greater concentration and glowing skin
HOW THE 10 DAY ALKALSING DETOX DIET WORKS:
Ms Beim recommends to reboot your system, you’ll need to cut out all foods deemed ‘acidic’.
These include sugar, grains, including wheat, rye, oats, barley, rice, millet, quinoa and spelt, animal protein – beef, lamb, pork, chick, fish, eggs, dairy (except whey and ricotta).
Ms Beim adds it’s also necessary to cut out alcohol – not because its acid forming per se but because the body will be working hard during this detox so it’s best to give the liver a break. The same goes for coffee, she said.
‘Coffee – is not acid-forming, but is a stimulant, so is banned during this detox.’
Food from the ‘acid’ side of the chart include grains such as wheat, rye, oats, barley, rice, millet, quinoa and spelt,
Foods from the ‘alkaline’ side that need to be introduced into your diet include fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, said Ms Beim.
‘The greener the better – spinach is the most alkaline vegetable,’ she said.
Protein can be in the form of tofu and tempeh, as well as some nuts and seeds including hazelnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, pecans, macadamias, sesame seeds, chia, pumpkin and sunflower.
Oils in the form of coconut and virgin olive oil are permitted, as are herbs and spices such as turmeric, oregano, mint and parsley.
The ADD diet includes a plethora of fresh vegetables, but for maximum impact eat as much spinach as possible
Foods from the ‘alkaline’ side include fresh seasonal fruit
Over the course of the detox, Ms Beim said drinking herbal teas are especially detoxifying.
Her recommendations are burdock, clivers, echinacea, red clover, and calendula. pH balancing teas include peppermint and chamomile.
While the ADD diet might not be for everyone, a simple step you can take each day to help increase your blood alkalinity is to drink a green smoothie, suggests Ms Beim.
She’s not alone in this recommendation either.
According to other nutritional experts smoothies packed with a combination of leafy greens, fruits and a healthy plant-based protein powder can not only help with blood pH levels but can also lead to increased weight loss.
Smoothies packed with a combination of leafy greens, fruits and a healthy plant-based protein powder can not only help with blood pH levels but can also lead to increased weight loss
Speaking previously to Daily Mail Australia, Rick Hay, author of The Anti Ageing Food and Fitness Plan said he believes smoothies or ‘nutriblasts’ as he calls them, can hold the key to sustainable dieting.
‘New research has also shown that having a diet higher in plant-based protein than in animal protein could boost your life expectancy.
‘When prepared correctly these smoothies really can keep you feeling fuller for longer and decrease cravings. The right recipes will provide nutrient density together with hydration.’