Alkalizing Diet

After the body digests and absorbs animal protein, the blood becomes acidic. The homeostasis, or inherent balance, nature of the body withdraws alkaline calcium from bone to neutralize the acidity. That calcium withdrawal is a factor in osteoporosis. Fruits and vegetables, once absorbed, will buffer blood acidity by their alkalizing effects; the pH of that blood will be reflected in urine pH measurements at home.

Acid/Alkaline Balance

In a 2010 "Proceedings of the Nutrition Society" article, the authors indicate that the high protein, sugar and grain American diet, after digestion, generates an internal acidosis. The acidic blood pulls alkaline calcium from bone to neutralize the blood, leading to osteoporosis, bone loss. They refer to a study which confirms a positive link between dietary alkalinity and bone health indices in the very elderly. The authors suggest that drinking mineral water may help to inexpensively prevent osteoporosis.

Measurement of pH

In chemistry terms, a pH below 7 means the solution is acidic. A pH above 7 means the solution is alkaline. The acidity of blood can be measured by testing saliva or by urine, which is the more accurate way, with litmus strips and a color chart. You can obtain these at a pharmacy or health food store. Instructions come with the kit. Susan E. Brown, Ph.D. suggests that you test urine pH after at lest six hours of sleep -- even if that means at 4 a.m. The ideal urine reading, referring to the color chart, should have a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. A saliva reading should show 7.0 to 7.5. If your readings are low, aim to obtain 80 percent of your dietary intake from alkalizing foods.

Rated Foods by Number

In their 2009 book, "Building Bone Vitality," the authors emphasize that a high-protein diet makes blood and urine more acidic, whereas fruits and vegetables alkalize the blood to a healthful neutral level. They present two tables of rated foods. Positive numbers mean that the food, after digestion, makes blood and urine acidic. Negative values indicate that the food has an alkaline load. The first table details plus and minus graded individual foods. The second table shows average values for food groups. Those values range from -17.5 for dried fruit, -3.3 for vegetables, -2.9 for fruit; 6.8 for breads and pasta, 9.4 for meats and 23.6 for hard cheeses.

Healthful Choices

To determine your total protein need per day, multiply your body weight in pounds by 0.36 grams. Aim for that daily amount as you consume some protein with each meal. Eat two servings of fruit and/or vegetables at every meal. Snack on fruit and vegetables. Cut down on animal foods, milk products, cereals, breads and pastas. Walk for 30 minutes every day.

Alkalizing Foods

Consume vegetables high in potassium, an alkalizing mineral. Those vegetables include cooked beets, beet greens, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, winter squash and raw carrots. The highest potassium fruits are dried apricots, figs, raisins, bananas, cantaloupe, strawberries, grapefruits and oranges. Other alkalizing foods are Swiss chard, kale, watercress, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, celery, avocado, dates, lemons, blackberries, sweet cherries and raspberries.

Alkalizing Drinks

Green drinks made from alkalizing powder are derived from green plants like kale, algae and cereal grasses, always gluten-free. Many brands are available for purchase in health food stores. Blend scoops of the powder into water or juice. If water is your usual drink, add a slice of lemon or drops of lemon juice to flavor an alkalizing diet.