You body is originally alkaline and is meant to stay so. But increased dependence on processed and junk food has drastically altered the pH levels of your body. This could disrupt your immune system, causing many health disorders including obesity, heart disease, and cancer. Here are 15 alkaline foods you should befriend to get your body and health back in shape:
1. Swiss Chard
This leafy green vegetable is one of the best sources of alkali from foods on this planet. It can help your body stay away from free radicals, harmful bacteria, and viruses. It helps in managing your blood sugar, support bone health, can improve your blood circulation and heart health.
2. Buckwheat
Time to abandon regular wheat and fall in love with buckwheat. Buckwheat is rich in protein and is an excellent source of vitamins and iron. It’s also known to stimulate your energy, improve your heart health, and prevent diabetes. It’s a great food to eat in cold days, since it keeps your body warmer.
3. Melon
Melon won’t only keep you hydrated but will also cleanse the toxins from your body. Its pH value is estimated to be around 8.5, making it a top alkaline food. All types of melons are known to be great sources of alkaline food as their water content is very high.
4. Olive Oil
If you never had olive oil in your list of top healthy foods, it’s high time you added it. It is known to be rich in antioxidants, monounsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. It can help reduce the risk of heart disease and regulate your blood sugar levels.
5. Flax Seed
Rich in antioxidants, vitamin E, and fiber, flax seed is considered to be a top alkaline food. It is known to keep your heart healthy, reduce inflammations, and help control hot flashes in menopausal women. Sprinkle some on your bowl of oats and you’re good to go.
6. Bananas
Filled with fiber and several essential nutrients like B vitamins, manganese, magnesium, and potassium, bananas moderate your blood sugar levels, improve digestion, and keep your heart healthy. If you’re planning to lose some weight, make sure you add bananas to your diet everyday.
7. Avocados
Bursting with various nutrients, monounsaturated fatty acids, and fiber, avocados can strengthen your heart, control your cholesterol levels, and help absorb nutrients from fruits and vegetables. Even a bowl of guacamole is enough for you to reap its benefits.
8. Carrots
Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a group of pigments that help improve your eyesight. They are high in fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B8, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, and iron too. Carrots can improve your thought process and steer you away from free radicals.
9. Berries
Packed with antioxidants and fiber, berries keep your memory sharp as you grow old, improve digestion, reduce the risk of certain cancers, and keep you safe from numerous chronic health disorders. They also help you fight signs of aging and improve your skin.
10. Broccoli
Broccoli has an abundance of vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, fiber, potassium, and copper. It reduces your cholesterol levels, acts as a powerful antioxidant, improves your bone health, and keeps your heart healthy. Broccoli is also rich in iron, which means it improves your blood circulation as well.
11. Grapes
Grapes are filled with antioxidants called polyphenols, that are known to reduce the risk of mouth, lung, pancreatic, esophageal, endometrial, colon, and prostate cancer. They can also help reduce hypertension and anxiety in many patients.
12. Cauliflower
A single serving of cauliflower can make up for about 77% of your daily vitamin C requirement. Not to mention how it is abundant in vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, magnesium, potassium, and manganese. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and can boost your heart health.
13. Lemons
The nutrients packed in lemon include vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin E, riboflavin, copper, calcium, potassium, and zinc. Lemon juice can help treat kidney stones and reduce risk of strokes. Other benefits of lemon include preventing constipation, high blood pressure, and fighting cancer.
14. Quinoa
Known to be one of the most protein-rich foods in the world, quinoa supplies you with twice the amount of fiber compared to other grains. It is also rich in iron, lysine, magnesium, riboflavin, and manganese. Quinoa can help keep a check on blood sugar and cholesterol levels in your body.
15. Spinach
Spinach is low in cholesterol as well as fat, and is packed with zinc, niacin, iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K. Rich in antioxidants, it can eliminate free radicals, stimulate your brain functions, improve your memory, and keep your heart strong.