Meat is an acid-former
The authors say: “A diet rich in animal protein may favour net acid intake, while most fruits and vegetables form alkaline precursors that neutralise the acidity.
Contrary to what is generally believed, most fruits such as peaches, apples, pears, bananas and even lemons and oranges actually reduce dietary acid load once the body has processed them.”
The researchers note that the link between acid load and the risk of incident type-2 diabetes persisted even after adjustment for dietary patterns, meat consumption and intake of fruit, vegetables, coffee and sweetened beverages suggesting that “dietary acids may play a specific role in promoting the development of type-2 diabetes, irrespective of the foods or drinks that provide the acidic or alkaline components.”
They conclude: “We have demonstrated for the first time in a large prospective study that dietary acid load was positively associated with type-2 diabetes risk, independently of other known risk factors for diabetes.
Our results need to be validated in other populations, and may lead to promotion of diets with a low acid load for the prevention of diabetes. Further research is required on the underlying mechanisms.”
pH balancing your body
The acid/alkalai balance of your body is directly linked to your food choices.
Making sensible substitutions in your diet is a simple way to help lower your acid load. For example:
- Experiment with vegetable based meals – many of the world’s most interesting cuisines are plant rather than meat based
- Eat less but better quality meat and try choosing white meat, seafood, or a meat substitute over red meat.
- Get beyond the bread, pasta and rice habit and choose other types of grains
- Try juicing, especially green juices
- Try nut or soya milks instead of cow’s milk
- Choose water over sodas, juice drinks and alcohol
- Snack on fruits and veggies instead of sweets
- Increase your intake of healthy fats
Finally stay active and practice stress reduction since a stressed out body will also be less able to deal with a high acidic load.