The acid alkaline balance diet aims to maintain a healthy pH level in the body to prevent diseases. Proponents suggest eating more alkaline foods, while skeptics argue that the science behind the diet is flawed. The diet seeks to control urine pH levels to help the body stay balanced.
The acid alkaline balance diet seeks to help maintain normal hydrogen (pH) levels in the body. If the body’s pH balance is too acidic or too basic, serious health problems can develop. Proponents of the acid alkaline diet believe that eating in a way that helps maintain a proper pH will prevent a host of diseases and conditions such as cancer and heart disease. They may also recommend regular urine and saliva testing to ensure that pH levels are within the desired range. Some diet skeptics claim that the science behind the diet is flawed and does not reflect an understanding of the human body.
The normal pH for the human body is approximately 7.4. If pH levels rise above approximately 7.7 or fall below 7, death or serious medical problems can result. To maintain a proper level, the body has buffers and controls that keep the pH in balance. Eating incorrectly can put a strain on the body as it tries to maintain this pH. The acid alkaline balance diet seeks to help the body maintain a proper pH.
Proponents of the acid alkaline balance diet believe that eating excessive amounts of foods that create an acidic residue in the body puts pressure on the body to keep its pH level in check. Some of these “acidic” foods include meats, proteins, and beans. When a person eats these foods, the body has to neutralize them, which often means stealing calcium from the bones. By eating foods that are more alkaline, such as fruits and vegetables, there is less pressure on the body to maintain normal pH levels. It is also possible that a person eats too many alkaline foods, so an adequate amount of acidic foods can be recommended to maintain the balance of the body.
Proponents of the acid alkaline diet believe that maintaining a properly balanced diet can prevent a variety of diseases. They say that cancer, for example, cannot survive in an alkaline environment. Also, calcium taken from the bones by neutralizing acidic foods can cause osteoporosis. Eating a pH balanced diet can also lead to increased energy. To check the body’s pH levels, a person is often required to test the pH of their urine and adjust their diet as needed.
Some skeptics of the acid-alkaline balance diet claim that the science behind it is flawed. They look at the checks and balances that the body uses to maintain normal pH as evidence that diet has no effect on pH levels in the body in general. Also, they say that due to stomach acid, all food leaves the stomach at a pH of 3 and is neutralized as soon as it reaches the small intestine. They note that the metabolism of certain foods can leave an acidic or alkaline residue in the body, but the kidneys remove it and it does not affect the body’s pH. Furthermore, skeptics say that some cancers can thrive in an alkaline environment, dispelling the idea that an acidic body is conducive to cancer.
Proponents of the acid alkaline balance diet can rebut by saying that they are not concerned with the pH of the blood; rather, it is the pH level in the urine that they seek to control. They state that high urine pH levels mean that the body is struggling to maintain a proper pH. By eating a balanced diet, they seek to help the body stay balanced.
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