The Alkaline Diet has many claims associated with it such as increased bone density, enhanced immunity and even a reduced risk of cancer.
As vegetables tend to be alkaline and meat tends to be acidic, ‘veganism’ is often incorporated into the diet – i.e. Vegans are also often on the alkaline diet (Vegan Diet explained on a previous blog post).
The basic principle is that, in theory at least, replacing acid-forming foods, such as meat and dairy, with alkaline foods such as raw, green & leafy vegetables, can improve health.
Some proponents even claim that an alkaline based diet can help fight cancer. This sounds quite outlandish, but I have found 1 study which shows that bicarbonate of soda (AKA Baking Soda), a very alkaline ‘food’ can reduce tumour size, albeit in large quantities. Whether or not the health benefits of the alkaline diet are down to the alkaline levels of the food per se, or the nutrient-dense foods that comprise the diet, is difficult to establish.
The diet is also known as the ‘alkaline-ash diet’ because it is believed that once a food has been broken down and utilised for energy by the body, it leaves behind an ash residue. If a food produces an acidic ash, then it is thought to make you vulnerable to a number of diseases.
It’s important to note that food cannot change the pH of your blood – which should always remain between 7.35 and 7.45, but I can have an impact on the pH of urine. Those athletes who have ever supplemented with baking soda or beta alanine, will also tell you that the pH of your muscles can also have a dramatic impact on the way you feel and perform during intense exercise such as grappling or MMA.
Modern scientific research does not support the theory that the alkaline diet prevents cancer, but many point out the many flaws in modern research, with much of it being sponsored by pharmaceutical companies (there’s even a union of concerned scientists who refuse corporate funding because of how corrupting it is). If you look hard enough, there’s the odd study knocking about, like the baking soda one mentioned above. There are also studies which suggest that our ancestors ate diets which were high in alkaline foods – about 87% of all the foods consumed before agriculture & farming became a thing, were thought to have been alkaline.
Foods to Avoid on the Alkaline Diet
Meat, poultry, fish, dairy, grains and alcohol
Foods to Eat on the Alkaline Diet
Fruits, nuts, legumes & vegetables
The Benefits of an Alkaline Diet
Lots of nutrient dense raw food
High quality whole foods which are beneficial for health in many ways
Possibility that kidney function may improve/less stress on kidneys
Less grains can mean less gut inflammation for many people
Hard to over-eat on a low grain, low sugar diet
The Negatives of an Alkaline Diet
Restrictive & difficult to implement when eating with friends etc.
Takes a while to get used to
Involves cooking foods from scratch which may be a challenge for some people
Alkaline Diet Shopping List
Vegetables
Asparagus
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Sprouts – Broccoli sprouts, quinoa sprouts etc.
Cauliflower
Carrots
Beetroot
Garlic
Peas
Onions
Courgette
Green Beans
String Beans
Runner Beans
Broad Beans
Spinach
Kale
Kelp
Chives
Endive
Cabbage
Sweet Potato
Ginger
Coriander
Basil
Celery
Cucumber
Watercress
Lettuce
Pumpkin
Butternut Squash
Fruits
Avocado
Lemon
Tomato
Lime (some citrus fruits leave an alkaline ‘ash’)
Grapefruit
Pomegranate
Rhubarb
Grains
Buckwheat
Millet
Quinoa
Lentils
Soy Beans
Red Beans
Sprouted Bread
Grasses
Wheatgrass
Barley grass
Oils
Olive Oil
Flax Oil
Coconut Oil
Nuts & Seeds
Almonds
Coconut
Pumpkin Seeds
Sunflower Seeds
Pecans
Alkaline Diet – Diet Plan
Breakfast
Hemp seed, kale & almond milk smoothie
Lunch
Avocado, lettuce and pistachio salad
Dinner
Chickpea curry
Snacks – Nuts, seeds – a bit of a cheat meal for lazy people like me would be hemp protein, olive oil and kale-powder shake.
