Alkaline foods, alkaline drinks, and calcium offer healthy solutions to common digestive problems. Anyone who has ever experienced acid reflux or heartburn knows that fiery feeling in the chest and abdomen. The problem is that the standard American diet includes too many acid forming foods, drink and other items that cause an increase of acid in the body. Junk foods, meat, sodas, beer, wine, medications and even stress all contribute to acidification and its side effects. On the other hand, a diet rich in alkaline foods with a variety of fruits and vegetables will aid in neutralizing acid in the body.

Alkaline Foods and Alkaline Drinks Provide Balance

The body is designed to maintain a a proper pH balance and the more we help it by consuming the right mix of alkaline foods and alkaline drinks, the better it functions. For instance, soft drinks are very acidic and some people consume them regularly. Colas are so acid forming that they can remove rust from metal. With that much acid, the body is forced to go out of its way in search of a healthy pH balance. Inversely, alkaline drinks give the body another weapon in the fight to alkalize the body. Indigestion, acid-reflux and hearburn all signals that the body is out of balance. When given the proper alkaline foods and alkaline drinks, the body has more of what it needs to neutralize the acid.

Calcium is the most vital mineral in the battle against indigestion, heartburn, and acid reflux. When a diet leans too heavily to the acid side, the body must acquire minerals, such as calcium, to attempt to neutralize the situation. Unfortunately, the best place for the body to acquire calcium is in the bones. So, when the intake of alkaline foods and alkaline drinks is insufficient, bones lose calcium at a faster than normal rate, resulting in osteoporosis and other health challenges. It should also be noted that stress adds to an overly acidic diet while calcium from alkaline foods can produce a calming effect on the digestive system, which leads to positive results throughout the whole body.

A chronically acidic body can also have less oxygen in the blood, which leads to a weak immune system, premature aging, kidney stones, muscle loss, back pain, gout and other joint diseases. Chronic degenerative conditions, like cancer, also tend to grow in a relentlessly acid environment. Alkaline foods and alkaline drinks give the body a chance to take care of itself before these major problems develop.

A diet that is low in alkaline foods may also contribute to a bloated feeling after eating. Keep in mind that we are talking about the acid or alkaline ash produced by the metabolization of the minerals in the food after consumption. For example, lemon is typically thought of as being acidic, but it leaves an alkaline residue due to its mineral composition. Many nutritional advisors have recommended that a proper balance for regaining health is best achieved by sticking to a diet of only 20% acid foods and 80% alkaline foods. For maintaining health, a diet of 40% acid foods and 60% alkaline foods is the suggested balance.