Is the Alkaline Diet Really the Key to Better Health?
Many people believe that an acidic body leads to disease and that the solution is to “alkalize” the body through alkaline water, alkaline foods, and pH-balancing supplements. But what if being too alkaline is just as harmful as being too acidic?
The truth is, disease can thrive in an overly alkaline body just as easily as it can in an overly acidic one.
The key is balance—not pushing the body into extremes. Understanding how pH works, how to test it properly, and what it reveals about your health is far more important than just “raising your pH.”
Let’s break down the biggest myths about alkalinity, how to use pH as a tool for health, and what happens when you go too far in either direction.
Why Most People Are Acidic & Why Alkaline Diets Help—at First
Most people today are too acidic due to the Standard American Diet (SAD), which is loaded with:
- Refined sugar & processed foods
- Excess animal protein without enough minerals
- Artificial ingredients, additives, and preservatives
- Low fiber intake, poor digestion, and dehydration
Adding more alkaline foods like vegetables, minerals, and clean water can initially make people feel better because it balances excess acidity and improves mineral absorption.
However, if you keep pushing alkalinity too far, problems start to appear.
What Happens When You Become Too Alkaline?
While being too acidic can cause inflammation, fatigue, and mineral depletion, becoming too alkaline comes with its own set of issues, including:
- Poor digestion – Stomach acid must be acidic (pH 1.5-3.5) to break down food. If you push alkalinity too far, digestion weakens, leading to bloating, food sensitivities, and nutrient deficiencies.
- Weakened immunity – Many pathogens thrive in alkaline conditions just as easily as acidic ones.
- Electrolyte imbalances – Over-alkalizing can deplete potassium, magnesium, and sodium, leading to fatigue, muscle weakness, and irregular heartbeat.
The goal isn’t to “alkalize” the body—it’s to maintain proper pH balance based on your body’s needs.
How to Use pH Testing as a Health Tool
Instead of chasing “alkalinity,” the key is to monitor your body’s natural pH levels and adjust accordingly.
Ideal pH Ranges for Urine & Saliva
- Urine pH: 6.2 – 6.6 (Reflects kidney function, detoxification, and mineral loss.)
- Saliva pH: 6.2 – 6.6 (Shows digestive enzyme function and mineral absorption capacity.)
For an overview of how RBTI (Reams Biological Theory of Ionization) determines optimal pH for health, check out this detailed explanation from IIOM.
What Urine & Saliva pH Tell Us About Health
Urine pH: What It Means
Urine pH reflects how well the body is filtering acids, toxins, and minerals.
- Too acidic (below 6.0):
- Indicates mineral loss (body pulling minerals from bones/tissues).
- Can signal toxic buildup, dehydration, or excessive protein consumption.
- Suggests the kidneys are overworked and detox pathways may be sluggish.
- Too alkaline (above 6.8):
- May indicate poor digestion and lack of stomach acid.
- Can suggest low kidney filtration (toxins aren’t being eliminated properly).
- Could mean too many alkaline minerals in circulation but not being absorbed.
Saliva pH: What It Means
Saliva pH reflects digestion, enzyme function, and mineral absorption.
- Too acidic (below 6.2):
- Indicates weak digestion, poor enzyme function, and low mineral reserves.
- May cause acid reflux, bloating, and vitamin deficiencies.
- Too alkaline (above 6.8):
- Often means low stomach acid, leading to poor protein digestion.
- Can signal inefficient enzyme function and mineral imbalance.
By tracking urine and saliva pH daily, you can adjust your diet, digestion, and detox strategies to maintain optimal balance.
For more insights into acid-alkaline balance, check out this study on dietary pH and health.
How Detox & Diet Changes Affect pH
When you start detoxing or adjusting your diet, pH fluctuations are normal.
- During detox, urine pH may temporarily become more acidic as the body releases toxins.
- As digestion improves, saliva pH may normalize, leading to better enzyme function and mineral absorption.
- If urine pH stays too alkaline, it may indicate a detox blockage or mineral imbalance.
Instead of worrying about forcing alkalinity, focus on supporting your body’s natural ability to regulate pH.
How pH Affects Mineral & Vitamin Absorption
Many essential vitamins and minerals can only be absorbed within specific pH ranges.
Examples:
- Iodine (critical for thyroid function) is best absorbed in a 6.2-6.6 pH range.
- Calcium needs stomach acid to break down properly—low acid leads to weak bones.
- B Vitamins require proper pH balance for absorption—too alkaline or too acidic affects utilization.
If your pH is off, even the best diet and supplements won’t work efficiently.
A great way to support mineral absorption and pH balance is with Activate Fulvic Mineral Solution, which enhances nutrient transport, detox pathways, and cellular energy.
Final Thoughts: Stop Chasing Alkalinity & Focus on Balance
The alkaline diet myth has misled many people into believing that eating alkaline foods will alkalize the body—but this is not how biochemistry works.
Instead of forcing alkalinity, focus on supporting digestion, proper mineral absorption, blood sugar balance, and detox pathways.
A truly healthy body naturally regulates pH balance—without extreme diets, alkaline water, or chasing numbers.
Want to take control of your health? Start tracking your pH and adjusting based on your body’s needs!