One diet trend that is becoming more popular is the acid alkaline balance diet. This dietary plan has less to do with counting calories, carbohydrates or fats and instead focuses on a different aspect of food: its effects on the acidity or alkalinity of your body. Although some of the guidelines suggested for an acid alkaline balance diet are nutritionally sound, some of the claims made by supporters of this diet have not been proven scientifically.
Identification
In order to function properly, the body must maintain the right balance of acidic and alkaline compounds. The blood normally has a pH of between 7.35 and 7.45, which makes it slightly alkaline. Maintaining this pH is critical for the body, as even small changes can disrupt the function of vital cells and proteins, Dr. Ben Kim explains. The human body has a number of mechanisms by which it can combat pH imbalances, including regulation of carbon dioxide levels in the blood, the secretion of excess acid by the kidneys and chemicals, such as phosphate, which can be released into the blood to control its pH.
Acid Imbalance
Promoters of the acid alkaline balance diet claim that the diet of most people, particularly those in Western societies, is skewed toward foods that produce acid in the body. Acid-producing foods include dairy products and meats including pork, beef, chicken, turkey and some kinds of fish. Consuming an imbalanced diet can cause the body to devote much of its resources to maintaining the proper pH, which can tax the kidneys and use up the body's mineral reserves, BetterBones.com reports.
Alkaline Foods
Generally speaking, alkaline foods are plant-based. Green leafy vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, asparagus, mustard greens, okra, broccoli and spinach are high in alkaline, which is why they have a bitter taste. Other alkaline-producing foods include most fruits, eggs, yogurt, flaxseed, chestnuts, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, mustard, ginger, chili pepper, dandelion greens and shitake mushrooms, the Wolfe Clinic reports. People following an acid alkaline balance diet should aim to consume 75 percent alkaline foods and 25 percent acidic foods.
Benefits
Promoters of the acid alkaline balance diet claim that following such a diet plan can improve your health in a variety of ways, including helping you lose weight and increasing your overall energy. Some also claim that this diet can help protect you against heart disease and cancer. Even if these claims are untrue, the benefits of eating a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables are well documented.
Considerations
Many in the medical community are skeptical about the acid alkaline balance diet. There is little evidence that the diet can have a powerful effect on blood pH and there is also no evidence that an alkaline diet can kill cancer cells in humans. Focusing on the acidity or alkalinity of foods can also lead to a poor diet in terms of vitamins and other nutrients, InteliHealth notes.
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