A diet high in acidic foods, as is prevalent in North America with so many meals consisting of refined sugars and red meat, is at the core of many symptoms such as fatigue, digestive imbalances, emotional imbalances, and anxiety. In fact, an overly acidic diet can cause inflammation, which is the gateway to many other ailments. Luckily, with a few dietary changes, it is possible to create balance once again. One way to combat this over-acidic tendency is to include foods with alkalinizing effects on the blood, urine, and saliva, such as umeboshi plums.
Umeboshi plums have been used for centuries in Asia, specifically Japan, China, and Korea. The literal Japanese translation is “dried plums", although some like to categorize them as being more in the apricot family. They are an amazing alkalinizing food. This is because they contain citric acid. They are created via a lactic fermentation process using Japanese plums, shiso leaves, and sea salt. The shiso leaves are have many medicinal health benefits themselves, and they contribute to the antimicrobial and infection fighting components of the umeboshi plums. It is important to check that these three things are the only ingredients because mass production and recent demand of this fruit has caused some companies to use artificial dyes and preservatives to keep costs down.