What is an alkaline diet?
While an alkaline diet sounds confusing and scary, it’s pretty straightforward. The main idea of an alkaline diet is to replace acidic foods (meat, eggs, milk) with alkaline foods (specific fruits, nuts, and vegetables).
Also called the Dr. Sebi alkaline diet, this eating and lifestyle method was championed by the late herbalist and healer Dr. Sebi. During his decades-long healing career, he treated diseases with plant-based, alkaline foods (we’ll define alkaline later). Dr. Sebi believed in one main principle: that all diseases stemmed from a dysfunctioning body due to high acidity levels and mucus.
So, he developed the African Bio Mineral Balance Program, which is a dietary theory and method that benefits the African gene structure. According to Dr. Sebi’s website, “The African Bio-Mineral Balance Diet works on two levels: First, it cleanses toxins and mucus from the body and organs at an intracellular level. Second, it re-nourishes the body with the exact minerals needed for proper electrical activity and alkalinity.”
However, Dr. Sebi maintained that the alkaline diet is for everyone. The premise of the alkaline diet is that acidic foods disrupt your body’s pH, causing it to be in an acidic state. A low pH level is a breeding ground for diseases and ailments, such as cancer, diabetes, infections, and so on. Alkaline foods, on the other hand, neutralize and cleanse your blood. This helps prevent diseases from forming in the first place. Being in an alkaline state can also help cure diseases and reverse organ and tissue damage.
Ok, but what does alkaline mean?
Before we list the different types of alkaline foods, let’s understand what alkaline means. Essentially, alkaline refers to something that’s low in acid and is basic in its composition. Every food item is either alkaline, acidic, or neutral.
This is determined by its pH level. These levels range from 0-14, with 7 being neutral. If the food’s pH is less than 7, this means it’s more acidic. For example, lemon juice has a pH of 2.00-2.60, meaning it’s very acidic. If you’re following the Dr. Sebi alkaline diet, you would stay far away from lemons.
Likewise, if the food has a pH greater than seven, then it’s more alkaline. Kale has a pH of 6.0-7.5. This is an alkaline food and is listed on Dr. Sebi’s alkaline food list.
A list of alkaline foods
A full list of approved foods can be found on Dr. Sebi’s website, but here’s a short list of different alkaline foods:
● Apples
● Avocado
● Brazil nuts
● Cucumber
● Dates
● Figs
● Ginger
● Hemp seed
● Lettuce, except iceberg
● Mushrooms, except shiitake
● Okra
● Onions
● Papaya
● Pears
● Quinoa
● Rye
● Spelt
● Tamarind
● Wild Rice
Benefits of the Dr. Sebi Diet
The benefits are almost endless. Here are just a few:
Reduces disease-causing mucus
Dr. Sebi emphasized the negative effects of too much mucus in the body. Excess mucus in the lungs and other organs can lead to respiratory infections and other diseases. According to Dr. Sebi’s website, “Compromised membranes and sticky mucus reduce the cell’s ability to absorb vital nutrients and remove toxic waste products. Blood flow is hampered, pressure builds, oxygenation is reduced and waste stagnates. This produces the ideal conditions for disease to develop…” Alkaline foods can help prevent and eliminate mucus from the body.
Speeds up weight loss
The Dr. Sebi diet can help speed up weight loss in two primary ways. First, the diet requires eating foods that are proven to help with weight loss. Apples, spinach, and kale – just to name a few – provide a high amount of fiber, which is essential to staying fuller longer. Second, the Dr. Sebi diet comprises mostly fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, and spices. These foods are low in calories and will promote a calorie deficiency, leading to weight loss.
Eliminates toxins
We all produce and eliminate toxins. But, what happens when we produce too many toxins and don’t eliminate them fast enough? What about when toxins build up in our body? The effects can be detrimental, such as weight gain, skin problems, and bad sleep. One Dr. Sebi-approved alkaline food, fennel, is especially good at flushing out toxins from the body.
Reverses diabetes
The liver and pancreas are directly related to diabetes. Both organs help control how sugar is processed in our body. So, when the liver or pancreas is filled with mucus or fat, this disrupts the system and leads to Type 2 diabetes. Dr. Sebi-approved foods, like dates, avocadoes, and nuts, are known to help regulate our blood sugar levels and reduce the effects of high blood sugar.
Helps prevent certain cancers
Several studies are now showing a possible connection between consuming too much sugar and cancer. Specifically, sugar can raise the chances of esophageal cancer by 70 percent. Well, thankfully, Dr. Sebi’s alkaline diet prohibits white sugar and instead encourages pure agave syrup and date sugar.
Clears skin
Processed sugar can also increase your chances of developing acne. Consuming a lot of sugar causes our hormones to go into overdrive and produce extra sebum. Cutting sugar from your diet – as you’ll do with the Dr. Sebi diet – helps reduce the number of breakouts you experience. Even further, alkaline foods like leafy greens and squash contain vitamin A and other nutrients that can help improve your skin’s texture and appearance.
Treats and helps prevent infections
Processed foods are a no-no on an alkaline diet. They are known to cause inflammation and change the bacteria in our guts – two primary causes of infections. When you eliminate processed foods (canned vegetables, sandwich meat, etc) and replace them with whole, natural foods, you immediately reduce your risk of infection.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/the-alkaline-diet-myth?c=1316676378896#impact-of-food
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-that-cause-acne#:~:text=One%20study%20found%20that%20people,blood%20sugar%20and%20insulin%20levels.
https://www.webmd.com/cancer/features/cancer-sugar-link/
https://drsebiscellfood.com/
