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Around ten years ago, the alkaline diet rose in popularity and became known outside of just celebrity circles. Claims of a cancer-fighting, weight loss diet caused a craze that has stayed prevalent to this day. So, what is this famed alkaline diet? Where does alkaline water fit in?
To understand the alkaline diet, first the pH scale must be examined. The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is. The scale ranges from 0 to 14, with lower numbers being more acidic and higher numbers being more alkaline. A substance with a neutral pH, like normal drinking water, has a pH of 7. Alkaline water typically falls between 7.1 and 9.5 due to the minerals in the water raising its pH.
The alkaline diet, also known as the acid-alkaline diet or alkaline ash diet, is based on the idea that eating more alkaline foods and less acidic foods will improve your health (1). This diet argues that alkaline foods will raise your body’s pH, which has its own health benefits. These benefits include losing weight and fighting diseases (2).
The alkaline diet encourages an 80/20 split of alkaline to acidic foods (3). This means your diet consists mostly of alkaline foods like fruits and vegetables, almonds, lentils, and soy products. Beets, broccoli, mushrooms, and peas are all high in alkalinity and make up a large part of the alkaline diet (1). Technically speaking, no food is off-limits during the alkaline diet, acidic foods are just eaten in smaller amounts. Acidic foods like red meat, added sugar, and processed foods are discouraged.
The alkaline diet is based on the idea that consuming more alkaline will raise your blood’s alkalinity. Therefore, drinking alkaline water is an easy way to up your intake of alkalinity, and it is a large part of the alkaline diet.
Most people agree that the alkaline diet is healthy, but it may not do all it claims to do. Dr. Anthony DiMarino, for example, notes that “The alkaline diet encourages low-processed, whole foods, which have been shown to prevent disease in the long term” (4). However, it is inconclusive to say whether these foods prevent disease because they are alkaline, or if they prevent disease due to the healthy eating patterns the alkaline diet encourages. Similarly, many people associate the alkaline diet with weight loss. This weight loss could be due to the high alkalinity of foods, but it could also be due to eating less processed foods and more fruits and vegetables.
People who have spent significant periods of time on the alkaline diet note that they lose weight, are more energized, and have less gut problems (3). Additionally, Mather Hospital finds that alkaline-forming foods can have a positive effect on bone health (5).
Despite varying evidence on the effects of the alkaline diet, alkaline water is proven to hold a slew of health benefits for the body. Alkaline water contains healthy minerals like calcium, sodium, and potassium that your body needs to function properly. Alkaline water is cited to improve stool production, prevent acid reflux, and keep you hydrated for longer. More research is still being conducted to fully understand the effects of alkaline water.
The alkaline diet is a diet based on the premise that adding alkaline-forming foods and eliminating acid-forming foods from your diet will ultimately improve your health. While there is some dissent over the effectiveness of the diet, even critics agree that the alkaline diet encourages healthy eating. Whether or not you follow the alkaline diet, adding alkaline water to your diet is an easy way to ensure your body gets the minerals it needs to function every day. For easy-access to alkaline water from the comfort of your home, try a Seychelle alkaline water pitcher. Seychelle filters are cost-efficient and lab-tested to ensure safe alkaline water, every time.
What can I drink to alkalize my body?
Alkaline water, some types of tap water, and bottled mineral water can alkalize the body. Additionally, some herbal and green teas have a high pH and will help alkalize the body.
What does a high alkaline diet consist of?
The alkaline diet consists mostly of alkaline-forming foods like vegetables, fruits, almonds, lentils, and soy products. It avoids acidic foods like red meat, milk, and alcohol.
Does drinking apple cider vinegar alkalize the body?
Yes. Although acidic in nature, apple cider vinegar has an alkalizing effect on the body once consumed.
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