Patients often come to see us saying that they want to alkalise their diets, but very few know what this actually means.
The acidity of foods can be measured using a score called PRAL (Potential Renal Acid Load) which assesses the acidic affect a food will have once it has been digested. It does this by measuring levels of neutralising minerals that are excreted in our urine – the more acidic our diet, the more valuable minerals we will use up and waste.
Some foods which may seem acidic, such as lemons, actually have an alkalising effect, and conversly milk, which seems to be alkaline is, in fact, acidic one you have metabolised it.
Generally speaking a diet that is high in meat and dairy products will be acidic, and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly green leafy veg, will be alkalising.
Recent studies have linked acidic diets with kidney disease, osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes.
If you would like your diet assessed or advice on how to eat a more balanced diet please call now on 07966 478974.