The alkaline diet is a popular topic, with many wondering if it can truly aid in weight loss, cancer prevention, or even treatment. While some aspects of the alkaline diet align with general healthy eating principles, it’s essential to understand the facts and separate them from misconceptions. This article dives into the alkaline diet, explores its claims, and provides evidence-based insights into how diet can genuinely impact your health.
Decoding Alkalinity and pH
To understand the alkaline diet, we first need to define “alkaline” and pH. Alkaline is simply another term for basic, referring to something with a high pH level.
The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is, ranging from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Values below 7 indicate acidity, while values above 7 indicate alkalinity.
Our bodies meticulously maintain a specific pH balance in the blood, organs, and tissues. Normal blood pH ranges from 7.35 to 7.45. Significant deviations from this range are rare and usually indicate severe, life-threatening illnesses.
During digestion and medication processing, acidic or alkaline elements are released into the bloodstream. The lungs and kidneys then work to filter the blood, removing excess acidic or alkaline components. This filtering process generates waste products eliminated through urine, saliva, and sweat, with varying pH levels depending on what’s being processed.
The Alkaline Diet: Separating Fact from Fiction
The alkaline diet is based on the misconception that consuming or avoiding certain foods can alter the body’s pH levels, which in turn impacts various health conditions.
Most alkaline diets recommend reducing processed foods and added sugars while increasing the intake of vegetables, fruits, and certain beans and legumes. Some proponents also suggest limiting animal protein and alcohol consumption.
Many of these recommendations align with standard healthy dietary advice and are supported by data suggesting potential health benefits, including reduced cancer risk. However, these benefits are not a result of alkalizing the body. The mechanisms by which diet prevents cancer and promotes health are likely linked to a diet rich in antioxidants and other phytochemicals that protect against cell damage and reduce inflammation.
More restrictive versions of the alkaline diet eliminate specific fruits, vegetables, and most grains, potentially leading to vitamin, mineral, and even fat or protein deficiencies.
Another common practice in alkaline diets is testing urine pH. While this may seem like a tangible way to measure the diet’s effect, it’s important to remember that urine pH (or saliva/sweat pH) does not reflect changes in blood pH. It’s simply an indication that your body is working to maintain a stable blood pH.
Following a restrictive alkaline diet can also lead to unnecessary expenses on pH testing materials, supplements, and specialized water or filtering systems. It can even create undue stress and anxiety around food choices.
Alkaline Water: Hype or Health?
There is currently no scientific evidence to support the claim that alkaline water is healthier than regular water. Alkaline water is essentially mineral water.
While alkaline water is generally harmless, investing in at-home alkalizing systems or bottled alkaline water can be costly. Focus on staying hydrated by drinking the type of water you prefer, whether it’s sparkling, flat, mineral, non-mineral, spring, or purified.
Alkaline Diet, Weight Loss, and Inflammation: The Real Connection
The alkaline diet often encourages increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, ample water intake, and reduced consumption of sugar, alcohol, meat, and processed foods. These are generally sound nutritional recommendations that can improve overall health, support weight loss, and even lower cancer risk – not by alkalizing the body, but through other mechanisms.
A healthy diet can also help reduce inflammation. Inflammation is a natural response to injury and infection. However, chronic inflammation can damage DNA and potentially lead to cancer. Consuming foods known to reduce inflammation can contribute to lowering your cancer risk.
Alkaline Diet and Cancer: Unraveling the Misconceptions
The initial interest in the alkaline diet for cancer may stem from the observation that some tumors are surrounded by acidic environments (low pH). Proponents of the alkaline diet theorize that consuming alkaline foods (high pH) can raise the body’s pH levels, creating an unfavorable environment for cancer. However, the acidic environment around tumors is created by the tumor itself, not caused by diet. It is currently unknown whether this acidity benefits the tumor or is simply a byproduct.
Cancers can develop in various parts of the body, including the blood (slightly alkaline), stomach (highly acidic), and pancreas (very basic). There are no reliable studies linking variations in body pH to health or illness, nor can diet influence the pH of different body systems.
The Best Diet for Cancer and Overall Health: A Balanced Approach
Research indicates that no single diet or food can cure cancer. However, proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining well-being and improving tolerance to cancer treatment.
MD Anderson dietitians recommend a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, and seeds, filling approximately two-thirds of your plate. The remaining one-third can consist of lean animal protein or plant-based protein.
If you’re an MD Anderson patient, consult your doctor for a referral to a clinical dietitian. A dietitian can assess your nutritional needs and discuss your goals, which may evolve throughout treatment. Cancer treatment can alter appetite, taste, and the body’s ability to process food. A dietitian can provide dietary strategies to mitigate treatment side effects, minimize adverse reactions, and manage any new food sensitivities.
Working with a clinical dietitian can help you establish the right diet to optimize your well-being.
The Takeaway: Considerations Before Starting an Alkaline Diet
While a less restrictive alkaline diet is unlikely to pose significant health risks, consulting a doctor or dietitian is recommended before starting any new diet, to ensure it aligns with your individual health goals.
Including more vegetables, fruits, beans, peas, nuts, seeds, and whole grains in your diet while reducing red meat, processed foods, and added sugars can certainly benefit your overall health, even if it doesn’t impact your blood pH level.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any dietary changes or starting a new treatment plan.
