Pros and Cons of an Alkaline Diet

When you eat an alkaline diet you eat those types of foods and drinks which can have an alkaline effect on the body. While certain foods leave an alkaline ash, others leave an acid ash. However we can know which type of foods leave which ash type in the body.

The Alkaline diet is based on the intake of mainly fresh vegetables and fruits, tubers and roots, legumes, nuts etc. It stipulates avoidance of foods such as grains, excess salt, dairy and meat products so that the acidity and alkalinity (the “pH balance”) of one’s body can be balanced effectively.

How the Alkaline Diet Works

The alkaline diet tries us to make us understand what causes an imbalance in the body and to work on it. The Western diet typically is based on large quantities of dairy, meat, alcohol, sugars, caffeine and saturated fats which has led to increased acidity in many of us.

The effect of over acidification can have harmful effects on our body. It can affect the cellular functioning from the heart beatings to the neural workings of the brain. As a result of imbalance in the pH level, negative impact can be witnessed in any body area leading to diseases such as obesity, cancer, fatigue, allergies, premature aging as well as problems in the muscles, cardiovascular and nervous system.

Pros of the Alkaline diet

Alkaline foods according to the USDA can prevent bone and muscle loss. This diet type is similar to the traditional Chinese medicinal diet. People suffering from some conditions such as nasal congestion, frequent colds and flu, lack of energy, Anxiety or irritability, Ovarian cysts, Headache and cysts of the breasts should abstain from taking this diet.

Cons of the Alkaline Diet

An alkaline diet mainly emphasizes on the intake of certain foods only and the exclusion of many other foods which may be vital for the optimal growth of the body. Hence it may be harmful to the body. The alkaline diet should not be followed by those suffering from chronic kidney failure and those with a history of heart disease. Even those under medications that affect potassium levels in the body can try this diet only under medical supervision.