Balance your body naturally with these alkaline foods

The terms alkalinity and acidity will be familiar to everyone who has taken a high school chemistry class. Now this concept is being applied to the human diet, and it's shedding some light on the right foods to eat if you want to avoid health problems and keep your body in balance.

As you might recall, pH is used to determine the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. On a scale from 0 to 14, numbers lower than 7 are used to indicate acidity, while numbers higher than 7 point to alkalinity. Water sits in the middle of the scale at 7, making it neutral.

However, according to the alkaline diet theory, chemically acidic foods like lemons could actually have an alkaline effect on the human body as it lowers your internal pH. That is why foods that seem acidic sometimes make the alkaline food list.

Proponents of this type of eating believe that having an acidic environment in the body allows toxins to build up, leading to medical problems and diseases, including cancer. That is why avoiding foods that have an acidic effect on the body like dairy, meat, refined grains, caffeine, alcohol and processed sugar is so important. While some of the healthier acidic foods do not need to be avoided entirely, they should only make up about one fifth of your overall dietary intake.

The bulk of your diet should be made up of alkaline foods. The good news is that a lot of foods fall into this category. Here is a look at some of the top alkaline foods that can help bring your body back into balance. Whether you want to sprinkle some organic chia seeds on your favorite salad or make a rich pumpkin puree soup, there are sure to be plenty of alkaline foods on this list that appeal to you.

Flax

Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, consumption of flax in the form of flax seed oil and flax seeds has been linked to improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol, while their lignans boost kidney function and can fight cancer.

Spinach

If you want to create or maintain an alkaline environment in your body, spinach is a great choice, and it will also deliver plenty of beneficial iron, Vitamin A and Vitamin C.

Cabbage

This alkaline food can fight cancer and infections, and eating it fermented as sauerkraut brings about even more benefits.

Pumpkin

Loaded with Vitamin A, this superfood is very versatile and can help bring your body into balance.

Buckwheat

Buckwheat is a great substitute for wheat. It's very nutritious, boasting plenty of protein, calcium and iron, in addition to its alkaline properties.

Olive Oil

You should already be consuming this oil because of its many benefits, such as its high content of vitamin E and monounsaturated fatty acids, both of which boost heart health.

Avocado

This creamy fruit is a great source of vitamin A, vitamin C and fiber, and it has the added benefit of helping you feel full.

Melons

One of the most alkaline foods, melons are believed to help cut the risk of stroke and heart attack. They have plenty of potassium, fiber, folic acid and vitamins.

Chia seeds

The best thing about these alkalinity-inducing seeds is that you can add them to almost any food virtually undetected. They are rich in calcium and iron, as well as vitamin A.

Cilantro

This potent herb is a great way to boost your alkalinity, and its high content of vitamin C, calcium and iron make it a good all-round choice.

Basil

If cilantro isn't to your liking, turn to basil to boost your alkalinity instead. Basil also boasts high amounts of Vitamin K, A and calcium, and it has anti-inflammatory properties.

Broccoli

Broccoli seems to appear on almost every type of healthy food list, and it's no wonder. In addition to its ability to help you keep the right pH balance, it provides a powerful punch of vitamins A and C.

If you want to bring your body back into balance, it's time to start cutting out those acidic foods and focusing on alkaline foods.