The effects of high dietary acid load on mental health
Studies indicate several diets have an inverse relationship with depressive symptoms, including Mediterranean and vegetarian diets. Close inspection of these diets reveals that they also have a low dietary acid load and are more alkaline due to the high vegetable intake and moderate animal protein.
An increase in dietary acid load in children was associated with:
- 33% higher risk of emotional problems, fears and worries, a downhearted mood, and low self-confidence.
- 22% higher risk of hyperactivity, poor attention, and impulse control issues.
- pH imbalance also plays a role in Alzheimer’s disease, bi-polar and schizophrenia. Lower pH may play a key role in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders, as those with Schizophrenia and bipolar have been shown to have a more acidic blood pH.
Similarly, in Alzheimer’s patients, an acidic pH interferes with the ability to clear proteins from brain cells; however, alkalisation may reverse this process.
