The Truth About The Alkaline Diet

The Science Behind The Alkaline Diet

Before diving into the science behind this diet and its health benefits, first, a little chemistry about the body’s pH level. Essentially, the alkaline diet helps to balance the pH level of the body’s fluids, including blood and urine, as an individual’s pH level is partially determined by the mineral density of the foods consumed. A pH level measures the amount of acid or alkaline something has, as a pH of zero is completely acidic, and a pH of fourteen is completely alkaline, whereas a pH of seven is neutral and where everyone should aim to be. These levels vary throughout the body, as blood is slightly alkaline with a pH of 7.35 to 7.45, whereas the stomach is highly acidic for breaking down food particles, at a pH of 3.5 or less. Urine changes depending on what an individual eats, and this is how the body keeps the level in the blood consistent.