The alkaline diet, often promoted for its potential benefits on bone health, categorizes foods based on their potential renal acid load (PRAL). Proponents claim that acid-forming foods (e.g., animal proteins and grains) may lead to chronic metabolic acidosis, which could harm bone health. However, scientific evidence shows that the body’s buffering systems effectively maintain pH balance, and there is limited evidence to support a direct link between dietary PRAL and chronic metabolic acidosis. High protein intake, particularly from animal sources, is shown to support bone density and overall health more significantly than the alkaline diet.
