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Our gut is one of the most complex parts of our body, but it's good health goes a long way in determining our overall health. There is an old cliché that says we are what we eat, and whatever goes inside our gut reflects in our skin. Numerous studies conducted within the past two decades have all but verified these claims.
Researchers have been able to establish a connection between gut health and its significant impact in our immunity, mood, mental health, skin conditions and even cancer. If you are amongst the ones who considers our gut and digestive track as a simple body system consisting of a long tube through which food passes, gets absorbed, the nutrients are taken out and the waste is excreted. And take it as an excuse to eat whatever you want, this might come as a big eye-opener.
An unhealthy gut can cause problems such as upset stomach, irregular weight changes, constant fatigue or sleeplessness, bad inflammation, skin problems and food intolerances amongst other problems that are caused as a sub-effect of these conditions.
If you have been binging on your favorite junk, sugary, processed, packaged, or fried foods, you are in immediate need of a change towards a much more balanced, nutritious and gut health-improving diet. One of the best diet options that cover all these aspects and is a blessing for the gut is the Alkaline Diet.
If you are wondering what is the Alkaline Diet and how you can start it right away, then read along as we are about to provide 5 hacks that will help you start with a diet plan and work towards having a healthy gut.
What is an Alkaline Diet?
Alkaline Diet refers to a diet that includes food which is slightly alkaline, meaning it has a pH balance of more than 7 on the pH scale. Our gut is highly acidic, with a pH range of 2 to 3. However when we consume junk or processed food that is highly acidic, then it has a negative impact and disrupts the balance of our gut.
Alkaline food helps in restoring this pH balance in the gut and subsequently keeps the gut healthy.
While a study conducted in 2013 stressed that an alkaline diet improves muscle mass, another study conducted in 2017 found out that it could improve the symptoms of chronic kidney disease. Similarly, scientists have established that an alkaline diet helps in reducing heart diseases. Adding on, research determined that eating food with high alkalinity can help in losing weight too.
We have seen that by switching to an alkaline diet plan, you can hit a home run and immediately move towards a healthy life whilst reducing your existing bad symptoms. The message is now loud and clear, let’s now shift our focus directly to the hacks that will help you switch to an alkaline diet right away.
Hacks to Jump on an Alkaline Diet Right Away
HACK #1 – Snack on Fruits
Fruits are an essential part of an alkaline diet. Some of the fruits we highly recommend and are part of the alkaline diet are watermelon, kiwi, pineapple, apricots, apples, grapes, strawberries, blackberries, grapefruits, pomegranate, figs, peaches, pears, oranges, mangoes, etc.
These fruits are loaded with essential nutrients such as potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C plus folic acid that helps in balancing blood pressure, reducing blood cholesterol levels, reducing constipation, gut problems and improving bowel function.
Hack #2 – Add those Greens in your Meals
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The second hack, if you are looking to start an alkaline diet, is to include alkaline vegetables in your diet. The best time of the day to eat these vegetables is either at noon with lunch, or at night with your dinner. Some popular alkaline vegetables to include in your diet include broccoli, beet, cabbages, carrots, potatoes, pumpkin, radish, parsley, peas, parsnips, garlic, lettuce, mushrooms, onion, bell peppers and turnips.
These vegetables do not have any cholesterol in them. Rather, these are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and nutrients that are essential for the=functioning of the body. Once you start including these in your lunch or dinner, you can observe a reduction in your blood cholesterol levels and improvement in your bowel movements. You will feel a significant reduction in acidity and heartburn. Besides, your risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease or kidney disease will be significantly reduced as well.
Additionally, these vegetables assist your body in developing more red blood cells. These are great for skin health and to protect from infections and inflammation. There are so many dishes in which you could include Alkaline vegetables straightaway. Check out some of our recommended tastiest alkaline dishes for lunch and dinner here
Hack #3 – Munch on Nuts
Nuts such as foxnuts, chestnuts, cashews, groundnuts, almonds, sesame seeds, peanuts, etc are alkaline and can be included as part of your alkaline diet. You can either add them as ingredients within your main meals or you can munch on them as snacks during the evening when you feel the hunger pangs.
Beware these nuts contain a lot of calories, which is why you should not eat too much of them. But when consumed in a limited way, they provide you with essential minerals such as magnesium and zinc amongst others. They are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, and all of these nutrients combine to boost our immunity, protect us from the attack of pathogens and reduce acidity and heartburn.
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Hack #4 – Cut Down
The 4th Hack for starting an alkaline diet immediately is to cut down on other food items. Before you start wondering how other food is related to an alkaline diet, you should understand that you can only derive the benefits of an alkaline diet if you stop consuming foods that have high acidic content.
The alkaline diet will not be able to help in maintaining the pH balance in your gut if you keep consuming processed, packaged, or junk food. Not only this, but you will also have to reduce eating animal and meat products and focus mainly on eating fruits, vegetables and nuts. If you need more protein, then you can try including beans, tofu and legumes to make up for it.
Hack #5 – Alkaline Water
When we talk about the alkaline diet, it is not only about what we eat, but also about what we drink. If you want to start an alkaline diet, then you should switch from regular water and start drinking alkaline water. Regular water generally has a neutral pH balance of 7 on the pH scale, however, alkaline water has a pH level higher than 7.
This slightly alkaline water complements the alkaline diet well. It has some great benefits that help in maintaining the pH balance in the gut. Besides, it is highly regarded for preventing gut issues such as heartburn, acid reflux and stomach ache.
But if you do not want to spend a lot on expensive alkaline bottled water, you can consider the DYLN Bottle. The VitaBead Diffuser sitting at the bottom of your DYLN Bottle, turns regular water into alkaline water within minutes. It comes in different bottle sizes and colors, allowing you access to alkaline water anywhere and anytime you want. You can keep sipping alkaline water throughout the day from your DYLN Bottle and ensure that your gut stays in the healthiest condition.
Conclusion
It might appear daunting at first, and you will have to make considerable changes and sacrifices, but by following these hacks, you will have a much easier time switching to the alkaline diet. The key is to have a strong will and clarity in your mind and you should be able to adapt yourself quickly.
