Need to eat less acidic food

Indeed, eating acid foods causes the body to produce more alkalinity in order to bring it back to balance. The converse also applies- eating alkaline foods causes the body to produce more acid to bring it into balance.
It appears there is an entire industry based on misconceptions!

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That’s why we need someone like Choice to correct and substantiate these claims. That one about lemon helping to alkalise your body has been around for a long time.

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I just tried our PH meter in a sample of water from our saltwater pool and our moisture meter in a glass of tap water and neither produced a reading.

However, when I inserted them in our herb garden and in the potted citrus trees around our pool, they both worked correctly.

It appears that they do not work in liquids.

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Agree it is probably someone “like” Choice, but not for Choice.

It’s a very complex (medical and science-biology related subject) well beyond the reach of everyday lab testing.

Is the question which organisation with the expertise and knowledge appropriate can be relied upon to respond in the way that Choice does on consumer related issues? Food Scientists and Medical Dietary specialisation a prerequisite!

It would seem it is a subject that has many open questions.

My uninformed position of ignorance is that the acid/alkaline diet balance is mostly marketing BS used by some as a gimmick to promote a product or service, and preying on unfounded fears. An alternate viewpoint could be that a healthy dietary choice of food groups selects mostly low acid foods. Only a limit selection of healthy foods are strongly acidic, EG some citrus, tomatoes etc.

For those who choose to live on carbonated soft drinks and other low quality foods (salted potato crisps/chips) and high quantities of fatty meats. Is the evidence that a change in pH of the dietary intake or rather the removal of junk food that delivers a health benefit?

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No doubt this is the reason it is called a soil pH tester!
A tester for use in liquids, such as I use in my aquaponics system, can also be used in soil, making it rather more versatile.
If you want accuracy, you’ll also need some standard solutions, so that you can regularly calibrate the instrument.

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One has to also remember that the gut produces hydrochloric acid as part of what is called ‘gastric acid’. This hydrochloric acid is far stronger than anything that one would consume and is known to cause problems such as heartburn/acid reflux when it leaves the gut the wrong way.

It is worth noting that some foods can trigger heartburn/acid reflux, but these are not necessarily acidic. It is the stomach gastric acid which usually causes the discomfort associated with these conditions.

I wonder if acid food diets for those who don’t need them for medical reasons are an emerging diet trend like many of the other fad diets out there.

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Sparkling water, sometimes called ‘carbonated water,’ is acidic because the carbon dioxide gas used for the sparkling dissolves to form carbonic acid, a weak acid. At room temperature, the pH of a CO2 saturated water would be between 3.5 and 4.0 depending on the content of total dissolved salts.

Non-sparkling, natural water, has a pH around 7.3 or so, but again depending on amount and type of dissolved salts, it could be range from a low pH of 5.2 to a high of 9.0.

Pure water, free of dissolved substances, has a neutral pH of 7.0.

Non-sparkling mineral water, also known as ‘still mineral water’ is available in a number of common brands such as CAPI, Evian and Mount Franklin. This is not a comprehensive list.

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I share your concern about fad diets: paleo, keto, gluten-free, vegan, alkaline – most diets claim to have the secret to perfect health secret.

It brings to mind the obsession of the Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang with eternal life that led him to drink mercury, thinking it would give him eternal life. There is no need to elaborate what happened to him.

I searched for factual information in the scientific literature (as different from popular non-scientific publications) The most positive statement of its benefits seems to be the rather sheepish and somewhat sycophantic “it would be prudent to consider an alkaline diet to reduce morbidity and mortality of chronic disease that are plaguing our aging population. One of the first considerations in an alkaline diet, which includes more fruits and vegetables, is to know what type of soil they were grown in since this may significantly influence the mineral content. At this time, there are limited scientific studies in this area, and many more studies are indicated in regards to muscle effects, growth hormone, and interaction with vitamin D.”

[Gerry K. Schwalfenberg (2012) “The alkaline diet: Is there evidence that an alkaline pH diet benefits health?” J Environ Public Health. 2012. doi: 10.1155/2012/727630. Retrieved on 16 Aug 2020 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3195546/)]

In other words, we know nothing but more research on soils, muscle effects (??) and a few other non-sensical investigations may tell us about the benefits of such a diet. . .

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Talking about Chinese beliefs, acid/alkaline fad diets could be similar to that of hot, cold and neutral foods in Traditional Chinese Medicine…

While I have used and think some TCM has merit, this is one I don’t subscribe to. To me it is a little like an ‘old wive’s tale’ where as children, we were told that eating particular things would change us (e.g. crusts on bread, apple seeds etc).

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Tank you cmrs for your informed answer. I have never seen any bottled natural water that list minerals as an ingredient, or mention it in there labels. (in our town anyway)

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There do not seem to be too many that list the minerals on the label. Some, for example Evian has it on their web site.

The minerals are listed as separate ions as they are dissolved. I am puzzled why they list it at 180C (perhaps some are insoluble at room temperature) and why they say 345ppm when (if my sums work) it is 506ppm. At those concentrations and pH 7.2 they are not going to change your metabolism much unless you drink a lot.

Other brands may be quite different, many are synthetic as well as coloured and flavoured.

Why do you want to drink mineral water?

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According to the doctor I am supposed to drink 2 litres of liquid (mainly water) a day. I don’t want to drink something that has ramifications to my health as I am just getting over lymphoma.

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That is standard medical advice. In fact, when I was recently in hospital, one specialist told me to drink 2.5 litres a day.

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I would be avoiding any carbonated waters (mineral, soda etc), not because of its acidic properties but because of the gas (carbon dioxide). Carbonated water releases the dissolved gas as it passes through the gut and can cause bloating, refux type symptoms from potentiall excessive burping and discomfort.

It is best to stick to still water to avoid any issues.

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Suggestions that everyone (healthy adults) should drink 2 litres of water a day is very common, but is a myth, as there is no evidence to support the benefits of doing this.

Please read this study called " “Drink at least eight glasses of water a day.” Really? Is there scientific evidence for “8 × 8”?" in the American Journal of Physiology, in 2002 The 8x8 in the title refers to 8ozs glasses of water 8 times a day. That is 64ozs of water a day, which is equivalent to 1.89L of water a day.

The author could find no evidence anywhere supporting the 2L/day but did find many studies with contrary findings. The authors state “Not only is there no scientific evidence that we need to drink that much, but the recommendation could be harmful”.

He concludes “Thus I have found no scientific proof that we must “drink at least eight glasses of water a day,” nor proof, it must be admitted, that drinking less does absolutely no harm. However, the published data available to date strongly suggest that, with the exception of some diseases and special circumstances, such as strenuous physical activity, long airplane flights, and climate , we probably are currently drinking enough and possibly even more than enough.”

Perhaps due to you having had lymphoma there is a need to drink that much, but it wouldn’t hurt to check with your doctor why he/she is suggesting you drink that much. While you are there, it may also benefit to check on whether you do need to

A qualified dietician attached to the hospital where you would have been treated would also be able to advise you on both water and food requirements.

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I also have diverticulitis which is another reason the doctor suggested that much water.
I have been to dietician attached to hospitals before and found them close to useless.
I would rather go to a naturopath, but they usually cost a lot of money. I always thought the dieticians recommended the meals in hospitals, but if the food in our hospitals is any example of dieticians recommendations, than I would steer clear of them.

For me that is a a definite no with experience provided by some friends, family and once myself. The advice while for some might be harmless or with eating better food choices a better outcome than some of the rubbish some people eat now, for others it is dangerous/deadly.

I easily prefer a Dietitian over Naturopaths, but as to the food in Hospitals the blame can be easily pointed to the third party providers of the food. Most food is now provided by contract, it is just re-heated, chilled etc as needed to dispense it to the patients. There often appears to be no standard of good oversight of dietary requirements either with as an example Diabetics in some cases being given inappropriate levels of carbs (a situation I have personally encountered).

Diverticulitis can be difficult to manage based on it’s level. Early stages can be well managed by including good levels of fibre, later stages almost require a complete reversal of that ie cutting out most fibre becomes important. Too much water however can be dangerous as well when it washes too many electrolytes out of a person’s system. With the advice and monitoring by your Dr keeping a fluid chart (with test strips to check electrolyte levels) for a few weeks can help determine a good level to maintain hydration at the right level. This can be adjusted when heavy sweating is noted eg after rigorous exercise or very hot days. Asking your Dr to explain the reasons behind their recommendation/s can be a useful way to understand your needs and your health.

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its interesting you say that, funnily I can ‘only’ consume tap water and select ‘plain’ water brands Thankyou, Woolworths, Coles. NOT Frantelle, Mount Franklin, Pererier etc

because although i do not have the same symptoms I get debilitating heart burn (chest burning to a point i can barely breath) and ironical thirst
Extraordinal severe symptoms and sleep disturbances follow when I consume many of the pricy brands of bottled waters (Perier, Deep Spring), in particular the special brands in glass bottles (CAPI, Daylesford, San pellegrino, etc)
however all brands/labels fail to declare any chemicals that would hint me to why this occurs to me :frowning:

Historically i could consume Coca Cola for example but the flavour base/rules/water source? changed last couple years (since Coke Zero) and it too is impossible to consume. but I can consume Schweppes soda water that has a ‘soft’ taste.

Is it simply about acid load in the PH high low or some other salt or natural chemicals more common in brand vs brand ?