Written By: Debjani Arora | Published : July 27, 2016 4:23 PM IST
Fad diets have a tendency to become popular in no time. One diet that is drawing attention these days is alkaline diet. There are reports that this diet may help in preventing cancer or delay its onset. Then there are also studies that claim that wrong diet habits can increase a person s chances of suffering from cancer. Foods that are acidic in nature, like those with high in animal protein and excess salt can increase one s chances of suffering from various cancers [1].
One way to minimise these effects is to increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. A diet rich in whole fruits, vegetables, whole grains legumes and pulses that are considered alkaline foods, nurture good bacteria in the gut. This reduces inflammation in the body and discourages the growth of cancer cells. In fact, alkaline foods are also known to help patients receiving chemotherapy cope better. Studies have suggested that cancer cells die when the pH level increases with alkaline diet especially when on chemotherapy [2].
Can alkaline diet help prevent cancer?
Not really. There are no actual studies that can say that alkaline diets can prevent cancer. "The idea is to eat everything in moderation. Try and have a balance in the diet pattern. A mix of right carbohydrates, protein, fats and all other micro and macro nutrients can help to keep the body healthy and reduce inflammation of the internal organs. There is no need to go on fad diets to help your body fight with a disease like cancer. Eating the right food acts like a natural medicine for your body," says Dr Anup Ramani, Uro-Oncological & Robotic Surgeon, Lilavati, Breach Candy and Saifee Hospital.
Reference:
[1] Robey, I. F. (2012). Examining the relationship between diet-induced acidosis and cancer. Nutrition & metabolism, 9(1), 1.
[2] Schwalfenberg, G. K. (2011). The alkaline diet: is there evidence that an alkaline pH diet benefits health?. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2012.
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