5 Benefits of an Alkaline Diet

5 Benefits of an Alkaline Diet

Some believe that the human diet, particularly Western/American, creates a systemic environment that is too acidic. This may be plausible given the fact that in a lab setting an acidic environment is much more hospitable for certain diseases to thrive in. However, many have refuted the claim that you can change the pH level of your blood (about 7.35-7.45) and that if you could your organs, primarily your lungs and kidneys, would detect this and there would be an attempt to return to homeostasis (normal functioning).

Advocates believe that the alkaline diet is not meant to change the blood pH. It is believed that this diet assists the body in regulating a healthy pH level something, they argue, that an acidic diet may impede. This observational study is showing positive results.

Such a diet would be more of a personal experiment rather than science based evidence. If you try these 5 benefits of an alkaline diet and feel better, maybe even get better lab results, then your personal experiment could turn into your personal science based evidence. Bam!

Sniffle Less

There are many strains and symptoms of the common cold but, overall, it is a virus that can easily infiltrate your body and really annoy (but rarely be life threatening).

An acidic diet may decrease your immune system’s good bacteria production, weakening its full defensive capabilities. By eating more alkaline based foods your intestinal flora may flourish and rebalance its environment which is essential for a strong immune system. Some alkaline foods also act as prebiotics which signal the brain to make more probiotics (good bacteria).

Bone Strength

Some theories suggest that bone calcium loss, a major contributor to osteoporosis, could be due to a dominant acidic environment.

Shape magazine reports that,

“The main fear regarding an acidic diet is bone loss due to your body releasing minerals from your bones in order to optimize your body’s pH, but this has yet to be proven in human clinical trials.”

Also,

“A study published in the January 1992 edition of the journal Calcified Tissue International found that hip fracture incidence in older women correlated to the acid intake from animal protein. Plant food intake tended to be protective against hip fracture.” (Live Energized)

Maintain Muscle Mass

As you age your muscles may feel weaker and less resilient. Rather than write this off as collateral damage due to accumulated years, why not change your diet to see if it’s as simple a fix as that.

Three sources corroborate the potential for musculature compromise due to an acidic systemic environment. According to reports published in Mineral and Electrolyte Metabolism (1996), Journal of Clinical Investigations February (1986) and Clinical Science (May 1991),

“The chronic, progressive metabolic acidosis of aging has been shown to cause muscle breakdown and then loss of protein in the urine.”

Remaining as alkaline as possible could reverse muscle degeneration and increase protein absorption in a short amount of time.

Cancer Prevention

In 1956, Nobel Prize laureate Dr. Otto Warburg, published his study of the effects of alkaline and acidic environments on cancer cell growth in Science.

The study focused on cancer cell and normal cell cultures being exposed to both environments. What was found was that in high acidic, low oxygen, cancer cells thrived while in high oxygen, medium alkaline the normal cells thrived and the cancer cells suffocated.

This is not a cure for cancer but many believe that if you maintain an alkaline diet you may be able to trigger the body into alkaline homeostasis which might prevent or even stop cancer from growing.

Reduces Inflammation

Most alkaline foods also contain anti-inflammatory properties while acidic foods may impede such healing. Some anti-inflammatory, alkalizing foods include:

  • Avocado
  • Tofu
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Almonds
  • Broccoli
  • Carrots
  • Beets
  • Garlic
  • Dark Green leafy vegetables (kale, collard greens, etc)
  • Banana
  • Coconut

 

Don’t continue poisoning yourself with acidic, processed foods that can only do damage to your body, mind and overall optimal health. Give these 5 benefits of an alkaline diet a try to see if you end up feeling as if you are at the top of your game.