The alkaline diet focuses on eating foods that are slightly alkaline (have a pH above 7). This is based on the idea that acidic foods can lead to disease.
Proponents of the alkaline diet believe that eating a diet rich in acidic foods might disrupt the pH of the bloodstream, because the body's normal pH is slightly alkaline.
People use the alkaline diet for aging, athletic performance, breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- Aging. Login for details
- Athletic performance.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for athletic performance.
Login for details - Atopic disease. Login for details
- Bladder cancer.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for the prevention of bladder cancer.
Login for details - Breast cancer.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for the prevention of breast cancer; the available research is conflicting.
Login for details - Cancer.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for the prevention of overall cancer risk or cancer-related mortality. See other Effectiveness entries for information on specific cancer types.
Login for details - Cardiovascular disease (CVD).  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for CVD prevention.
Login for details - Chronic kidney disease (CKD).  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for CKD progression or prevention.
Login for details - Colorectal cancer.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for the prevention of colorectal cancer.
Login for details - Conjunctivitis. Login for details
- Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for long-term survival following CABG surgery.
Login for details - Dental caries. Login for details
- Dental hypersensitivity. Login for details
- Diabetes.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for prevention of type 2 or gestational diabetes.
Login for details - Diarrhea. Login for details
- Dry skin. Login for details
- Fatigue. Login for details
- Hyperlipidemia.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for hyperlipidemia.
Login for details - Hypertension.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for the treatment or prevention of hypertension.
Login for details - Kidney failure.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for preventing the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to kidney failure.
Login for details - Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis).  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for kidney stones.
Login for details - Leg cramps. Login for details
- Lung cancer.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for the prevention or treatment of lung cancer.
Login for details - Metabolic syndrome.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for the prevention of metabolic syndrome.
Login for details - Migraine headache.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for the prevention of migraine headache.
Login for details - Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for the prevention of NAFLD; the available research is conflicting.
Login for details - Obesity.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for the prevention of obesity; the available research is conflicting.
Login for details - Osteoarthritis. Login for details
- Osteoporosis.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for the prevention of osteoporosis.
Login for details - Overall mortality.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for reducing overall mortality.
Login for details - Pancreatic cancer.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for the prevention of pancreatic cancer.
Login for details - Pre-eclampsia.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for the prevention of pre-eclampsia.
Login for details - Pregnancy-induced hypertension.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for the prevention of pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Login for details - Prostate cancer.  It is unclear if an alkaline diet is beneficial for the prevention of prostate cancer.
Login for details - Pruritus. Login for details
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Login for details
- Sciatica. Login for details
- Tendinopathy. Login for details
The alkaline diet is possibly safe for most people. There's no reason to expect safety issues as long as nutritional needs are being met.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if the alkaline diet is safe to use while pregnant or breast-feeding. Avoid use unless under medical supervision.It is not known if this treatment interacts with any medicines. Before using this treatment, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
There is no specific alkaline diet. Advocates of the diet suggest consuming 75% to 80% alkaline foods and 20% to 25% acidic foods. Acidic foods include meat, eggs, dairy, white flour, sugar, caffeine, saturated fats, processed foods, carbonated beverages, peanuts, and white rice. Raw fruits and vegetables are a focus of this diet. Be sure to seek and follow relevant directions from your physician or other healthcare professional before using this diet.
Acid Alkaline Diet, Acid Ash Diet, Alkaline Acid Diet, Alkaline Ash Diet, Alkaline Diet, pH Diet, Régime alcalin.
Information on this website is for informational use only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While evidence-based, it is not guaranteed to be error-free and is not intended to meet any particular user’s needs or requirements or to cover all possible uses, safety concerns, interactions, outcomes, or adverse effects. Always check with your doctor or other medical professional before making healthcare decisions (including taking any medication) and do not delay or disregard seeking medical advice or treatment based on any information displayed on this website.
© TRC Healthcare 2023. All rights reserved. Use and/or distribution is permitted only pursuant to a valid license or other permission from TRC Healthcare.