Eating more alkaline foods is a great way to balance your diet and reduce the effects of acid reflux disease. In fact a highly acidic diet can be the cause of many other health problems in addition to acid reflux disease.
A low alkaline diet makes the cells and fluids in the body too acidic. This is a major problem in many western countries, especially in North America where the normal high-fat, high-sugar diets can cause Acidosis. Diets that are low in alkaline foods are also blamed as the cause of many diseases, especially rheumatic and arthritic diseases. And according to author Michal Cogan in his book the New Nutrition ‘Acidosis destroys bones, because the body has to steal alkalizing minerals from them, to keep the blood pH from dropping into the acid range’.
Symptoms of Highly Acidic Diets
Common symptoms from eating an unbalanced diet that is too acidic can include; diarrhea, water retention, migraines, fatigue, halitosis, insomnia and a burning sensation on the tongue and in the mouth. More serious consequences from acid reflux disease include asthma, chest pains and even coughing up blood in the case of erosive esophagitis.
Alkaline diets have been developed to combat a wide range of health problems including diabetes and obesity and can aid weight loss. These alkaline foods diets should also be used in conjunction with a healthy eating plan that includes more smaller meals throughout the day as opposed to only a couple large meals.
The correct alkaline-acid balance varies slightly from person to person and also depends on your level of activity. Typically the more active you are, the more alkaline foods you need to eat. Generally the ratio of acidic foods to alkaline foods should range between 2:1 and 4:1.
Alkaline Foods include; almonds, coconut, buttermilk, yogurt, raisins, melons figs, olives, bananas, chocolate, avocado, grapes, potatoes, pumpkin, spinach, lettuce, artichokes, broccoli, cucumber and mushrooms.
Foods high in acidity include; beans, butter, cheese, vinegar, coffee, tapioca, eggs, meats, plums, prunes, blueberries, wine and other alcoholic drinks. Tobacco and recipes that include ash are also considered acidic.
In addition to acidic foods and alkaline foods there are also a large number of neutral ph foods. These include; sugar, honey, syrup, margarine and cooking oils.
Acid reflux happens when the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus relaxes when it should not. This allows stomach acid to flow up into the esophagus. When this acid reflux occurs often, it is called acid reflux disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This can eventually cause erosion or sores to develop in the lining of the esophagus.
There are a number of different types of drugs and medicines that are commonly used to combat heartburn and other symptoms of acid reflux disease, but certainly eating right and ensuring you consume a a diet high enough in alkaline foods is essential not only for these health problem, but for the whole body.
