Читать книгу The PH Diet: The pHenomenal Dietary System - Bharti Vyas - Страница 62

Alkaline-forming foods are usually considered beneficial while acid-forming foods are seen as detrimental. However, there are always grey areas and exceptions to the rule. There is a difference of opinion as to which foods are acid forming and which are alkaline forming. Bananas, avocados, asparagus, artichokes and spinach are considered by Zen Buddhists to be acid producing, while Western scientists believe them to be alkaline because, when burned, they leave mostly alkaline mineral ashes.

Because many acid-forming fruits and vegetables are effective cleansers of the body’s acid wastes, they are classed as beneficial. The juice of carrots and beets, with their high percentage of acid-forming sulphur and phosphorus, effectively cleans out the acid wastes from the liver, kidneys and bladder. The juice of cabbage, which is high in acid chlorine and sulphur, cleanses the acid wastes adhering to the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestinal tract. An excellent remedy for gum disease and infections in general is the highly acidic vitamin C.

Alkaline minerals are also effective cleansers. Potassium, calcium, sodium and magnesium reduce excess acidity in all the organs of the body. Indeed, acid and alkaline minerals act together to cleanse the body, just as a combined solution of vinegar (acid) and bicarbonate of soda (alkaline) makes an excellent household cleaner.

We need to make a distinction between acids that are toxic and cause the body’s organs to degenerate and those that rid the body of acid wastes and, by doing so, prevent degenerative disease. We cannot just assume that foods high in acid-forming minerals will add to the store of acid wastes in the body and therefore must be avoided. The more alkaline reserves we have, the better our bodies will be able to handle the acid-forming foods. Ripe bananas are slightly more acid forming than unripe bananas, but ripe bananas are recommended because they are much easier to digest – but eat only in moderation as they also have a high glycaemic index, which can raise blood sugar levels rapidly.