Grains, meat, dairy products, sugar, and salt are foods with a higher acid content. Therefore, when eating these foods, alkaline foods should be added to the meal to achieve a proper pH balance. For example, if pasta is the main entrée, vegetables should be added to the sauce or as a salad to help balance the pH level. For most meals, the amount of alkaline foods should exceed that of acidic foods. Alkaline foods include fresh fruit, leafy and cruciferous vegetables, cheese, fermented foods, legumes, nuts, and tubers.

One of the confusing elements is making the distinction between acidic foods and acid-producing foods. For example, lemons are acidic, however, they have an alkaline-producing effect when digested. Once metabolized, all food releases an alkaline or acid base. This determines where that particular food falls on the pH scale.

A good dietary goal is to consume roughly 70 to 80 percent alkaline food and 20 to 30 percent acidic food. In general, the body should remain at a pH level between 7.35 and 7.45. Highly acidic foods should be consumed in such a manner that they are spaced out throughout the day.

When the body is worn down by factors such as a poor diet, excessive stress, or a sedentary lifestyle, the body produces more acid and thus remains in an acidic state. Extra care should be taken to eat foods that are even more alkaline during times of high stress or when physical activity is lacking. At these times, the immune system is compromised due to a lack of electrolytes and minerals, such as potassium, calcium, sodium, and magnesium. One’s risk for illness is heightened by overly acidic conditions, whereas an alkaline state has anti-aging and infection fighting benefits.

Dietary changes must be made in order to restore the correct pH balance. It is best to avoid food containing high amounts of refined sugar, yeast, and simple carbohydrates. Alcohol should be limited as well. Trans fats, which mask themselves as seemingly harmless hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, should absolutely be cut from the diet. Making the shift from processed food to whole food will gently aid in bringing about a balanced pH level.

5: Step aerobics

They aren’t just for the ladies – step aerobics provide a valuable way to test your reaction time for men *and* women. As a bonus, the repetitive motions build muscle memory and the simplicity of the exercise makes it easily adaptable for any workout. Step faster, harder, or at an angle to optimize the effects of your fitness regime, or shorten the time of your steps to kick things up a notch. Step aerobics can offer some really great cardio!

4: Jump rope

One of the easiest exercises in the world, jump rope requires nothing more than a rope and lots of patience. You can customize the speed and height of your jumps at will. Make a habit of the practice and you’ll improve your strength, endurance, breathing patterns, and hand-eye coordination. To really step it up, try double dutch.

3: Lunge!

Lunges strengthen the quads and build muscles where speed junkies need them most – the legs. The “down” position is also a pretty good simulation of your body’s contortions during a sprint, and the more your muscles remember that feeling, the less effort they’ll need to expend it, thereby making you faster.

2: Running through the woods

Running, of course, is one of the best exercises for improving your speed, but going off the track and into the woods is what will improve your agility too. You’ll test your reflexes by ducking and dodging, and you’ll improve your hand-eye-foot coordination by reacting to unexpected obstacles as they appear. Just make sure you own a durable pair of running shoes!

1: Parkour

Originally a French exercise of speed and self-discipline, parkour has been adopted as both hobby and sport by followers around the world. The gist of the practice is to treat the world like an obstacle course – one you have to overcome. Those experienced in parkour can flip off basketball hoops and vault across rooftops, but you can start by learning how to roll and perhaps jump down the stairs. The more you practice, the more you’ll be prepared for anything!

Spinach

Spinach has been shown to improve learning and motor skills in laboratory tests. This green leafy vegetable is high in antioxidants, helping to shield the brain from age-related decline and stress. By incorporating spinach into your daily salad, you reduce your risk for stroke and slow down the onset of aging-related neurological diseases. As an added bonus spinach and other green vegetables can also help boost memory.

Fish

Fish are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids nurture the cell membranes that cushion the brain’s neurons, keeping them flexible and insulated. Specifically, yellow fin tuna is rich in niacin, a B vitamin that helps reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and senility symptoms. Wild salmon and herring are other delicious fish choices containing healthy omega-3s and their anti-inflammatory properties.

Nuts and Seeds

You should try and eat a variety of nuts and seeds in your diet. These foods tend to be wonderful sources of vitamin E which keeps brain function strong and helps protect against cognitive decline as one gets older. Adding just one ounce a day can make a difference; and there are so many delicious nuts and seeds to choose from that finding a favorite is easy for anyone. Almonds, peanuts, walnuts and sunflower seeds make for great snack ideas, and natural nut butters like peanut butter or tahini are healthy and tasty to spread on whole grain breads.

Berries

Berries are juicy, delicious, and yes, they are great for improving brain health! Cranberries help with cognitive functions associated with memory, hand eye coordination, and balance. Strawberries are a great source of vitamin C and research suggests that strawberry-rich diets may be associated with better motor skills and higher learning capacities. Eating blueberries, too, can give you positive health effects. They aren’t called a super food for no reason. In laboratory research blueberry-rich diets have shown to protect against what is called dendritic branching loss, which is often associated with aging-related brain disorders. In essence, eating berries helps keep your brain young.

Give your brain a boost by eating the rights foods. Eating a well-balanced diet and keeping your body fit is important to keeping your brain healthy. Try to incorporate these super foods into your diet and reap the brainy rewards.

The most dramatic example of oxidation is combustion reactions, such as burning leaves. Combustion, or oxidation, occurs in your body when your cells metabolize fuel. It’s normal to have some free radicals in your body, but if this is problematic if it overwhelms your ability to neutralize them. Free radicals cause oxidative stress when they attack and damage your cell’s membrane and DNA.

Oxidative stress has been linked to premature aging, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease and several other chronic diseases. Risk factors include stress, exposure to ultraviolet light and toxins, such as pesticides, x-rays, tobacco smoke, alcohol, vigorous exercise and the byproducts of your body’s metabolism.

Antioxidants, as implied by the name, are compounds that can counter the effects of oxidation. These molecules inhibit and neutralize the effects of free radicals. This interaction oxidizes the antioxidants. This is why you need to continually supply your body with antioxidants.

Major categories of antioxidants include vitamins, minerals and enzymes, proteins that facilitate chemical reactions. Examples of antioxidants include beta carotene, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), glutathione, lutein, lycopene, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and several other substances. The body synthesizes glutathione and CoQ10, but their levels diminish with age and the use of various medications. Antioxidants are found in a wide assortment fruits, vegetables, nuts, spices and herbs. Examples include pomegranates, black beans, artichokes, dark chocolate, oat grains, green tea and walnuts.

Each antioxidant has a different role in fighting oxidation. Vitamin E protects the cell membrane and prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Vitamin C mops up free radicals in cells and other fluid environments. It also assists Vitamin E and produces a stable for Vitamin E. Beta-carotene also works in watery environment. You can protect your body from oxidative stress with antioxidants.

1. Speed drills are one way to improve reaction time. Lie on your back and have another person use their voice or a sound to get up and run a specific distance. Use a ball to further the benefit of the drill. Run controlling the ball while the other person coaches you from left to right. Relax with your eyes closed, and have a partner cue you before throwing the ball for you to catch. Determine how long it takes you to catch the ball instead of being hit. Any drill that requires you to relax, and wait on a verbal or sound cue can improve reaction time.
2. Step aerobics – Step aerobics is a weight bearing, high impact cardio exercise. It is as beneficial as running, and in addition it can improve your reaction time. Many people who take a step class for the first time feel uncoordinated and out of step with the class. This is due to reaction time. The instructor cues the class to determine their next move, and there is little time to process the next move, mentally. This fast-moving class, taken over a period of time, can help improve reaction time, and can be a fun source of exercise.
3. Racket ball or cardio tennis can improve agility, hand-eye coordination, and reaction time. Cardio tennis is meant to be a more vigorous workout than team tennis. Nonetheless, it involves the same objective; chase the ball and hit it. For obvious reasons, reaction time is practiced during both of these sports since the object of each is to anticipate where the ball is going, and the best way to get to it the fastest.

Exercises with cognitive, audible and visual cues can help improve reaction time. Even without specific training cardio exercise can improve your reaction time by waking up your muscles and using them on a regular basis.

First, berries are some of the most effective and popular fruits. They contain tons of antioxidants that help prevent cancer. Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries are high in fiber, as well as vitamins and minerals. They are also great snacking choices, because they are low-calorie and filling.

Another excellent fruit for antioxidants is the grape. Though they may taste similar, red grapes are actually healthier than green grapes. The seeds of red grapes are full of strong antioxidants that fight free radicals and help keep hearts healthy. Red wine offers many of the same health benefits, as long as it is consumed in moderation. Red grapes, however, can be eaten as frequently as desired.

Broccoli is one of the healthiest vegetables in the world. It is extremely high in beta carotene, calcium and vitamin C. In addition, it contains a phytonutrient called sulforaphane that aids in eliminating toxins from the body. The combined power of antioxidants and other nutrients make broccoli a great vegetable for reducing cancer risk, as well as maintaining a good diet.

Tomatoes contain lycopene, which is the pigment that makes them red. Lycopene also helps fight disease. And though any tomato is a great source of antioxidants, heating a tomato makes it easier for the body to absorb them. A cooked tomato is even healthier than vitamin E or beta carotene.

Finally, garlic is a tasty addition to many foods – and it is full of health benefits. Eating a small portion of garlic every day helps regulate blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In addition, garlic improves circulation and provides strength for the immune system. It also provides antioxidants that reduce free radical presence, thus reducing cancer risk. It also has visible effects – garlic can slow the aging process by helping the skin maintain elasticity.

Many other foods, such as spinach, carrots, and other fruits and vegetables, contain cancer-fighting antioxidants. But maintaining these five items in a regular diet provides large amounts of powerful antioxidants.

The berries grow near the top of the tree. In order to get to the berries, an agile and able person climbs the trees and brings down the berries that are ripe. They get the berries down by cutting off branches laden with berries. Then, the acai berries are stripped from the branches.

The ripe acai berries are easily bruised and so, during the harvesting process, extreme care must be taken with them. In addition, once removed from the tree, they begin to decompose quickly. Within one day, the berries are no longer usable. To counteract this, the people who pick the berries rush them to a factory that processes the berries. Once the berries have been processed, they can be stored for a much longer time and are no longer in danger of rotting.

The harvest process remains important for indigenous people, who have expertise and knowledge regarding the acai date palm and the acai berries. The natives know where it grows, where it grows best, and how to harvest the berries efficiently. The acai harvest retains much of their local culture and provides jobs for those living in the area. Also, the way in which the acai berry is harvested is recommended by Greenpeace, who considers it a sustainable way for natives to earn a living.

The most commonly reported side effect associated with the Acai Berry is a decreased appetite. This may not be a problem for those who are on an Acai diet to lose weight, but those who have problems gaining weight and keeping it on may not welcome a decrease in appetite. This effect is largely anecdotal among users; there has actually been little scientific proof that the Acai Berry significantly decreased one’s appetite. Besides, you would have to eat a lot of Acai Berries to notice any decrease in appetite. Because the Acai Berry is so high in fiber, some users have reported having diarrhea while on a diet heavy in Acai Berries and Acai Berry supplements.

It is also entirely possible to be allergic to Acai Berries, as any supplements that you might buy will be food-based products. Naturally, this varies from person to person. If you have any concerns about possible allergic reactions that you may have to Acai Berries, consult a doctor or nutritionist before using any Acai-based products.

Acai berries also have high levels of phytonutrients. These are nutrients found in many types of fruits and vegetables, but not nearly in the concentration found in Acai berries. Phytonutrients act as antioxidants, are able to boost the immune system and are suspected to help detoxify the body.

Acai berries also contain many healthy vitamins, amino acids and some minerals. Unfortunately, as with many naturally healthy foods, the powerful effects of the Acai berry begin to diminish after they are picked. This is why Monavie has created a very special way to harvest and process the berries in order to preserve all of their beneficial qualities.

The process starts in South America. Here Monavie employs skilled local citizens who are able to climb to the top of the tall Acai palm trees and, with their bare hands, take down the berry pods. Once on the ground the large bundles are stripped of their berries by hand and loaded onto a boat where they are quickly transported to a refinery. This is a very eco-friendly process that helps to ensure that the Acai palms are not over harvested and that the local people are fairly compensated for their work.

The refining process uses a special, secret freeze drying process to draw out the nutrients of the Acai berries. When the powder is then reunited with the pulp of the berries, the full nutritional value is restored. This liquid is then strained and bottled.

The two primary antioxidants that are found in the Acai berry are anthocyanins and flavonoids. Both of these nutrients aid the body in fighting free radicals, which are unstable molecules that attack healthy body tissues. Free radicals are responsible for many diseases that are associated with aging in addition to the onset of cancer.

There is an enormous variety of anthocyanins and flavonoids that can be beneficial to the body. Some found in the Acai berry would include vanillic acid, ferulic acid, and syringic acid. Most of these nutrients are contained within the berry’s seed. Because Acai berries tend to spoil very quickly after being harvested, their seeds are usually ground and dried by food processors in order to access the bulk of the berry’s nutritional value. The resulting antioxidant-rich product is then included in many supplements, drinks, and other nutritional products.

When you consume Acai berries, the concentration of antioxidants in your body receives an enormous boost. These berries are incredibly rich in antioxidants due to their slow ripening and fruition processes; this leisurely pace allows various nutrients to be stored in remarkably high quantities inside of the berry’s tiny walls.