The alkaline diet, also known as the alkaline ash diet, alkaline acid diet, acid ash diet, pH diet, or Dr. Sebi’s alkaline diet, is a popular dietary approach centered on balancing the body’s pH levels. This mostly plant-based diet has gained traction due to claims of promoting longevity and preventing disease. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the alkaline diet, including its principles, potential health benefits, food lists, and scientific evidence.
Understanding the Alkaline Diet
The alkaline diet operates on the principle that the foods we consume can affect the body's pH levels. The pH, short for potential of hydrogen, is measured on a scale from 0 to 14, with lower values indicating acidity and higher values indicating alkalinity. The body’s pH is partially determined by the mineral density of the foods you eat. Human blood pH typically ranges from 7.35 to 7.45, a slightly alkaline range that the body tightly regulates.
The Acid Ash Hypothesis
The principles of the acid ash hypothesis help make up the tenets of the alkaline diet. Proponents of the alkaline diet believe that consuming foods that produce an "acid ash" can disrupt this balance, potentially leading to health problems. Conversely, foods that produce an "alkaline ash" are thought to support optimal health.
The Role of Minerals
Normally, the kidneys maintain our electrolyte levels (those of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium). The pH level is crucial for growing plants, and therefore it greatly affects the mineral content of the foods we eat. Minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium are considered alkalizing, while phosphorus, sulfur, and chlorine are considered acidifying. The diet emphasizes the consumption of foods rich in alkalizing minerals to help maintain the body's pH balance.
How the Alkaline Diet Works
The alkaline diet involves increasing the intake of alkaline-forming foods while limiting acid-forming foods. This typically translates to a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and certain plant-based proteins, while restricting the consumption of meat, dairy, processed foods, and refined grains.
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Best Alkaline Foods
A cornerstone of the alkaline diet is the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, ideally raw to preserve their alkalizing minerals. Uncooked fruits and vegetables are said to be biogenic or “life-giving.” Some of the most alkaline-promoting foods include:
- Leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale, collard greens)
- Root vegetables (sweet potatoes, beets, carrots)
- Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage)
- Citrus fruits (lemons, limes, oranges)
- Berries
- Melons
- Avocados
- Nuts and seeds (almonds, flaxseeds, chia seeds)
Experts feel that one important consideration in regard to eating an alkaline diet is to become knowledgeable about what type of soil your produce was grown in - since fruits and vegetables that are grown in organic, mineral-dense soil tend to be more alkalizing. The ideal pH of soil for the best overall availability of essential nutrients in plants is between 6 and 7.
Foods to Avoid
The alkaline diet advises limiting or avoiding foods that are considered acid-forming. These include:
- Meat (beef, chicken, pork)
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
- Processed foods
- Refined grains (white bread, pasta)
- Sugary drinks
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
Oats and whole wheat products: All grains, whole or not, create acidity in the body. Milk: Calcium-rich dairy products cause some of the highest rates of osteoporosis. That’s because they create acidity in the body! When your bloodstream becomes too acidic, it steals calcium (a more alkaline substance) from the bones to try to balance out the pH level.
The Importance of Hydration
Water plays a crucial role in maintaining pH balance. Alkaline water, which has a pH of 9 to 11, is often recommended. Distilled water is just fine to drink. Adding pH drops, lemon or lime, or baking soda to your water can also boosts its alkalinity. Spring water is pure, hasn’t undergone any processing, and is rich in calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which play a key role in the body’s pH balance. In addition, spring water is structured, which your body prefers, and has an electrical charge. “Nature didn’t make any water with chemicals… so the best water is spring water.”- Dr.
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Potential Health Benefits of the Alkaline Diet
Proponents of the alkaline diet claim a variety of health benefits, ranging from increased energy levels to chronic disease prevention. While scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited, some potential benefits include:
Bone Health
Your intake of minerals plays an important role in the development and maintenance of bone structures. There are claims that the alkaline diet can reduce the risk of osteoporosis. The theory is referred to as the “acid-ash hypothesis of osteoporosis,” which states that eating an acid-rich diet, such as the Western diet, can erode the bones and lead to osteoporosis by increasing calcium in the urine and reducing calcium in the body. But the theory doesn’t hold up. One review noted that it seems like acid-producing diets plus low calcium intake could lead to bone issues, but if calcium levels are high, eating an acidic diet might even be protective. Another review concluded that there is no evidence that an acidic diet can lead to bone disease, and there is no evidence that it can protect bones either.
Chronic Pain Reduction
Studies have found a connection between an alkaline diet and reduced levels of chronic pain.
Increased Magnesium Levels
An increase in magnesium is required for the function of hundreds of enzyme systems and bodily processes.
Weight Loss
Limiting consumption of acid-forming foods and eating more alkaline-forming foods may make it easier to lose weight due to the diet’s ability to decrease leptin levels and inflammation.
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Cancer Prevention
Cancer prevention is believed to be associated with an alkaline shift in pH due to an alteration in electric charges and the release of basic components of proteins. There was one study that found alkaline diets may have a protective benefit against hormone receptor negative-breast cancer, but most of the related research has been inconclusive. Most results, however, do point to one dietary measure that may reduce breast cancer risk: eating less meat and more fruits and veggies, as many researchers have reported.
The AICR does not support claims about cancer and the alkaline diet, saying that the acidity and alkalinity of foods aren’t important when it comes to human body chemistry. Instead, the AICR says that eating a largely plant-based diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (without worrying about alkalinity) is a healthy approach that can help lower your risk of cancer and chronic diseases. So the alkaline diet might be a good approach for people fighting cancer, but not for the reasons given by fans of it, as one study noted.
Kidney Health
People with chronic kidney disease may also benefit from focusing on alkaline foods, because too much protein is hard on the kidneys. When cells lack enough minerals to properly dispose of waste or oxygenate the body fully, the whole body suffers.
The Dr. Sebi Alkaline Diet
The self-proclaimed herbalist and healer from Honduras, late Dr. Sebi (aka Alfredo Darrington Bowman) practiced naturopathy and herbal medicines in the United States. The Dr. Sebi alkaline diet is a specific version of the alkaline diet that has gained popularity. This one-stop-all-issues diet is the “mucus reducing alkaline diet,” which is made up of plant-based foods. Dr. Sebi postulated that diseases can only exist in an acidic environment.
Principles of the Dr. Sebi Diet
Dr. Sebi claimed that alkalization, along with his “herbs,” removes the excess “mucus” from the body. These herbs should be specially purchased and consumed within 30 minutes. Because the body’s pH is strictly regulated between 7.35 to 7.40, he claimed that the body is at its best, with pH mildly alkaline. When the body is exposed to stress (physical or biochemical stress) via infection, long-term medications, and poor food habits the body pH gets acidic. In addition, Dr. Sebi used herbs, such as burdock root, sarsaparilla (banned in the United States), and dandelion to clean the blood and detoxify the liver cells.
Dr. Sebi's Nutritional Guide
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The 8 Rules of Dr. Sebi's Diet
The rules of Dr.
Prohibited Items in Dr. Sebi's Diet
The Dr. All addictive substances, such as caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine, are restricted in this diet.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Dr. Sebi's Diet
The advantages of Dr. Sebi's alkaline diet is high in fiber, unprocessed foods, and cuts down on nicotine and caffeine. It may result in weight loss if followed for a long time. Though the diet is rich in fiber and low in sugars, no evidence suggests that an alkaline diet helps prevent cancers or autoimmune disorders. A few of the alkaline “herbs” may be toxic to the body in high doses. It is best to discuss any radical change in the diet with your doctor.
Electric Foods and Bioelectricity
What if the key to vibrant health wasn’t just about eating more fruits and veggies, but about choosing foods that are truly alive? "Electric food is the only food. Everything else is poison." -Dr.
Electric foods or food bioelectricity refers to the energy field surrounding foods, raw or cooked. People give off energy, and this subtle energy is felt at an intuitive level: We feel connected (or disconnected) from people at different times. It’s the same concept in plants. With the invention of Kirlian Photography in 1939, we can actually see this energetic aura. The photographic technique captures "electrical coronal discharge" using a photographic plate and high-voltage.
"That's the message: Electric Food for an Electric Body." -Dr.
Electric foods help create a conducive environment for nourishing, repairing, detoxifying, and cleansing cells in your body.
Bioelectric Charge and Food
Dr. Sebi taught us that cell food has to be electrical because our bodies are electrical. Kirlian Photography has shown that raw organic foods have a more powerful energy charge than cooked foods. The body’s average bioelectric charge is 70 MHz, at which its function is optimum. Foods with high bioelectric charge are fruits at 65 to 75 MHz and vegetables at 70 to 90 MHz. This makes them superfoods for our bodies.
The Impact of Low Bioelectric Charge
What happens to our bodies when we eat foods with low bioelectric charge? Suppose if you buy a can of fruits from the supermarket that has been processed under high temperatures to increase shelf life. In this case, the food has minimal bioelectricity, because the heat ‘killed’ the food’s bioelectricity. It provides no nourishment to your body due to the lack of chemical affinity. Organic, raw foods are better than chemically processed foods based on their bioelectricity. Raw foods have a stronger bioelectric field, making them beneficial for our bodies.
Foods with high bioelectric charge provide our bodies with more solar-photonic energy and ensure our organs' optimum health to perform their functions. In addition, foods with high bioelectric energy contain minerals like iron, sodium, magnesium, and calcium that promote electrical energy conduction.
The Role of Alkaline Food in pH Balance
Dr. Sebi recognized that disease is a symptom of mucus accumulation caused by acidity in the body. This acidity forces our bodies to strip minerals from bones to restore alkalinity. Alive alkaline food plays a critical role in pH balance. An alkaline environment is not conducive to bacteria, inflammation, or uncontrolled cell growth. Many holistic practitioners have long emphasized the dangers of excessive mucus-producing foods.
By focusing on raw, plant-based, mucusless foods-think leafy greens, seaweeds, cucumbers, and berries-you support your body’s innate ability to maintain a healthy pH. Incorporating the wisdom that Dr. It may come as a shock to you that blood circulation in your body depends more on the electric charge than it does on your heart. With the correct electrical charge, individual red blood cells can neatly squeeze through very fine blood vessels.
Tips for Maximizing Bioelectric Charge
- If time and space allow it, why not grow your own greens? Moreover, since you're the source of your own food, you can reduce the storage time before consumption.
- Cook foods only when necessary. Heat reduces the electrical charge of food. Overcooking food causes the leaching of nutrients, especially in vegetables. Blanch your vegetables and bake foods over a short period instead of frying.
- Juices are easily digested and absorbed. Green juices from green leafy vegetables and herbs have a high bioelectric charge.
- Occasional cleansing, combined with an alkalized electric diet, is the perfect choice for your body’s optimum health. Food either takes or gives, energy, the choice is yours. Dead food doesn’t energize, it drains your resources.
Scientific Evaluation of the Alkaline Diet
Despite the alkaline diet having been widely studied, there aren’t any definitive studies suggesting that this approach can have an effect on cancer - one of the biggest draws of the diet. Fitzgibbon says that the cancer treatment theory is based on the claim that cancer cells thrive in an acidic environment. And while that is true in a lab setting, it’s nearly impossible to alter cells in a way that creates a less acidic environment in the body, she says.
Many studies have found no benefit of an alkaline diet.
Considerations and Caveats
Following the alkaline diet very strictly can mean you don’t get enough protein in your diet, which can lead to muscle loss.
Certain foods on the “highly acidic list” might surprise you, such as eggs and walnuts. These might be acidic in your body, but don’t let that scare you away from eating them. Eating too many animal sources of protein in general can actually contribute to acidity, not alkalinity. Beef, chicken, cold cuts, shellfish and pork can contribute to sulfuric acid buildup in the blood as amino acids are broken down.
Balancing Act: A Healthy Approach
The bottom line is that a healthy balance is what we’re shooting for. Our problem is more a matter of not taking in enough alkaline-promoting foods rather than taking in too many acids from healthy, whole foods. Despite the alkaline diet having been widely studied, there aren’t any definitive studies suggesting that this approach can have an effect on cancer - one of the biggest draws of the diet.
From a scientific perspective, these claims aren’t realistic, says Adrienne Youdim, MD, an associate professor of medicine at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine in Los Angeles. But, she says, the alkaline food lists tend to be healthy, and when you look at eating approaches like the widely studied and beneficial Mediterranean diet, you can reasonably say that the focus on these foods is a healthy approach.
A Comparative Look: The French Diet
The French don't take eating lightly. To them, meals are considered a celebration and a time to socialize with friends or family. The diet mainly consists of three meals in a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The French diet consists of breakfast (le petit déjeuner), lunch (le déjeuner), and dinner (le dîner). People in France spend the most time in the world eating meals. They take an average of about 2.5 hours to eat. Snacking is not huge in the French diet. The only form of snacking might involve an aperitif (alcoholic drink) or an afternoon tea. Studies show that only about 15% of the French population snack throughout the day.
The foods that make up the French diet may vary among different regions of the country. The only foods common in every region are meats, cheese, vegetables, fish, and fresh fruits. French people value fresh food a lot. That makes it a must to prepare meals with a lot of care and fresh ingredients. Different regions may use different ingredients for special meals. A basic traditional French meal must have wine, bread, and cheese.
Breakfast is the first meal of the day at around 8:00 am. It is the least important meal of the day for the French people. Unlike other countries in the west like the US, lunch is the most important meal of the day for the French. Lunch in France happens at around 1:00 pm. The traditional French gastronomic meal follows a specific order of courses. It starts with aperitif, followed by a starter, then the main course, then cheese, dessert, and digestive. The French take more time eating the last meal of the day since it's the largest and most formal of the three meals. Dinner is eaten around 8:00 pm and might go on for up to 2 hours.
Traditional French Meal Courses
- Aperitif
- Hors d'oeuvres
- The Principal plate
The French will usually serve some dessert or cheese after eating the main course. Their dessert may consist of chocolate mousse, tarts, and profiteroles. Americans tend to eat as fast as possible.