The PH Miracle Diet, alternately called the Alkaline Diet or Young Diet, named after its founder Robert Young, is purported by the author to restore pH balance in your body. Human blood is slightly alkaline, with a normal pH level falling between 7.35 and 7.45. The pH diet says that our food intake should mirror the body's natural pH level. Adherents to alkaline diets say that eating primarily acid-producing foods accelerates loss of important minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which in turn contributes to illness.
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Acidic vs. Alkaline Foods
After they are digested and metabolized, the foods that you have eaten release either an acid or an alkaline base into blood. The Journal of the American Dietetic Association published results of a study entitled '"Potential renal acid load of foods and its influence on urine pH." Grains, animal products and salt all produce acid, whereas many plant-based foods tend to be base-forming
Fruits
According to Dr. Young, alkaline fruits include lemons, limes and grapefruits. Sources such as Mayo Clinic and the urine pH study referenced above include bananas, raisins, nectarines, blackberries, dates, watermelon, dried apricots, dried figs and cantaloupe.
The Mayo Clinic Diet Manual and Nutrition Almanac list cranberries, plums and prunes as being especially acid-forming.
Vegetables
Nearly all vegetables are included in an alkaline diet. The most alkaline vegetables in the Mayo Clinic Diet Manual are beet greens, Swiss chard, dandelion greens and baked potatoes. Asparagus is acid-forming, and Nutrition Almanac and Prescription for Nutritional Healing include Brussels sprouts as well.
Grains, Seeds and Nuts
Generally, foods in this category are considered more alkaline as well as more digestible if they are sprouted before they are consumed. Acceptable grains, seeds and nuts include millet, buckwheat, sprouted pumpkin and sunflower seeds,soaked almonds, flax, spelt, lentils, cumin and hazelnuts.
Wheat, rice, corn, peanuts, cashews, pistachios and walnuts should be avoided in the PH Diet.
Sweeteners and Oils
While the PH Diet Miracle does not include any sweeteners, the Mayo Clinic Diet Manual does list molasses as being alkaline, and the Nutrition Almanac includes maple syrup and honey as well. The preferred oils include flax, hemp, avocado, olive, evening primrose and borage. Condiments are not allowed in the PH Diet.
Beverages
The beverage that is encouraged most in the PH Miracle Diet is clean, pure water. You should drink two to three liters daily. Other drinks that the diet allows include vegetable juice or broth, herbal tea, and unsweetened soy or almond milk. Alcohol, coffee, tea and dairy products are prohibited because of their acid-forming tendencies.
References
- Paleo Diet: Acid-Base Balance
- "Mayo Clinic Diet Manual: A Handbook of Nutrition Practice"; Jennifer K. Nelson, Karen E. Moxness, Clifford F. Gastineau, Michael D. Jenson; 1994
- EBook: Nutrition Almanac
- Prescription for Nutritional Healing; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, James F. Balch, M.D.; 2006
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