It's the latest fad diet. The promotion of this "Alkaline diet" is fervently done by many female stars, the very thin head that Victoria Beckham has tweeted the benefits to subscribers (almost seven million!).
Alkaline diet: what is it?
Alkaline Diet (alkaline diet) restore the acid-base balance in the body
The acid-base balance
The dogma of the alkaline diet, which is also called "anti acidic diet" is to restore the acid-base balance in the body.
An acid is a substance which releases hydrogen ions (H +), residues of energy metabolism. These H + ions are neutralized by a basic substance (or alkaline, it is the same thing).
The indicator of the balance between the two is the blood pH or possibly that of urine.
pH:
The pH is the "potential hydrogen". It measures the chemical activity of hydrogen ions (H +). Established on a scale from 0 to 14, it is neutral at about 7. More is below this number, the more acid. And, vice versa, the more it is over, the more alkaline. The normal pH of blood and cellular fluids is between 7.35 and 7.45: it is very slightly alkaline and very stable.
This balance between the acidic and basic substances - which are then eliminated by the kidneys in urine - is normally and permanently in the body.
Except in rather dramatic circumstances in which we are dealing then with acute metabolic acidosis when the system is overwhelmed and the kidneys can not eliminate excess acids. This can occur in inadequately controlled diabetes, fasting too long, severe diarrhea, poisoning with aspirin (which is salicylic acid).
But in the case of the alkaline diet, it is not to change the pH of the blood, because it is stable, but simply to reduce acidifying foods over and increase alkalizing foods instead.
Do you eat too acidic?
Foods are classified according to their acidifying or alkalizing protein and minerals and also the nature of their metabolic waste.
There are several detailed classifications acidifying or alkalizing foods that raise controversy.
Acidiants food:
For acidifying foods, the consensus is on meats and all foods rich in animal protein not only contain acidifying minerals (chlorine, sulfur and phosphorus), but they also deliver a lot of waste acids.
We find the same consensus on industrial products, sweet products, alcoholic and caffeinated drinks. All that you acidify A LOT!
Alkalifying food:
As for alkalizing foods, everyone agrees on fruits and vegetables because they contain alkalizing minerals: magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium, but very little protein, chlorine, sulfur and phosphorus.
As for other foods (cereals, dairy products, fats), they are more or less alkalizing or acidifying.
How to know if you eat too acidic and is it dangerous?
Supporters of alkalizing diet recommend measuring the pH of the urine, or several times a day.
How?
Peeing on a test strip (litmus paper, pharmacy) that changes color according to acidification. The more it is red, more urine is acidic.
If your diet is too low in alkalizing products your body to keep your acid-base balance, must go to pump your basic minerals and mainly in the calcium from your bones and teeth for that is that there has in stock.
According to some, this would be the explanation for this disease that is becoming more common osteoporosis and fragile bones. It has already been shown that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables (magnesium and potassium) favored bone density.
According to fans of alkalizing diet, the majority of our present ills, large and small, come from what we ate too acidic. Fatigue stress, to weight gain, cancer and cardiovascular disease, all of this comes from our over-acidification!
Is the alkaline diet dangerous?
In a hard-alkaline diet, you have to remove or significantly reduce meats, fish, meats, eggs, all processed products, desserts, drinks containing caffeine and alcohol which are mostly acidifying. Must be reduced more moderate dairy and grains.
You have to eat fruits, vegetables, almonds and seeds, seasoned with spices and herbs, because all these foods are alkalizing.
How to practice good "Alkaline Diet"?
The first and basic rule is to eat lots of vegetables and fruit at every meal: you are then sure to have a max of alkalizing products.
The second is to forget industrial products (like ready meals, pizzas, etc.), products and sugary drinks. And maximum braking on alcohol and coffee.
The third is to reduce its consumption of red meat and charcuterie: If you are a fan of the big daily steak, eat it two or three times a week and replace with fish and eggs, less acidifying. If you start each meal with a good piece of pie, replace it with raw vegetables or vegetable soup.
The fourth is to leave room for dairy products and grains at each meal.
All this is very similar to a balanced diet, one that we recommend here forever and is the key to weight loss!