Did you know that the acidity of the foods you eat has an effect on your health? Acidic foods include meat, dairy, grains, nuts, and seafood, while alkaline foods are mostly fruits and vegetables. In a recent study published in the journal Diabetologia and involving over 60,000 women, diets with a higher overall acidity level were found to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by 56 percent.

“A diet rich in animal protein may favor net acid intake, while most fruits and vegetables form alkaline precursors that neutralize acidity,” noted the researchers. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is high in acidic foods and low in alkaline foods, creating what is known as metabolic acidosis, or too much acid in the body. That sure helps explain the current epidemic of type 2 diabetes, doesn’t it?

I cannot express strongly enough the importance of eating plenty of non-starchy fruits and vegetables, which are some of the most alkaline foods you can eat. Not only does your body avoid being hit by a sugar bomb (non-starchy fruits and vegetables do not convert to sugar nearly as much as starchy carbs like potatoes and grains), but your overall acid level will remain in a healthy range when you load up on these vital foods. Not to mention, your digestion will move along at a healthy pace, if you know what I mean.

If you are someone who struggles to eat your veggies, I urge you make an effort to reacquaint yourself with these health-promoting foods on a regular basis. Need some more inspiration? Read some of my past blogs on the many benefits of eating your greens.