You may have heard of the alkaline diet, but what’s the story behind this eating plan?
The alkaline diet is based on the theory that eating certain foods can help maintain your body’s natural pH level. This is a measure of hydrogen-ion concentration that reveals whether a substance is acidic, alkaline or neutral. Although a measure of 7 is considered “neutral,” it is generally accepted that the body’s optimal pH is slightly higher than 7, tipping toward the alkaline side.
Proponents of the alkaline diet point out that the typical American diet is high in acidic foods, including dairy products, meat, grains, soda, alcohol, sugar and unhealthy oils. Some believe that this diet contributes to less-than-optimal conditions within the body by raising the body’s pH level.
The alkaline diet focuses on consumption of 80% alkalizing foods and plenty of water. Alkaline foods include green veggies, herbs, nuts, seeds and fruits with high water content. It may seem surprising, but this list also includes citrus fruits, because their citric acid content actually has an alkalizing effect on the body.
So does the alkaline diet actually help your health? While there is currently no research to support specific health claims, it’s always a good idea to eat more fresh food and to limit your intake of fat, sugar and alcohol.
Interested in checking your body’s pH level? There are several ways to test it at home, with special strips or papers designed to measure the pH of either urine or saliva.