"Better alkaline eating"... this is an increasingly important topic, especially in the spring months. The influence of the acid-alkaline balance in the body and the importance of nutrition have long been the subject of debate. Are we eating an acidic diet with our usual choice of foods or is an alkaline diet the better option?
Our organism is constantly working to keep the acid-alkaline ratio in the body in balance. Food intake, fluid intake and even breathing transport both acidic and alkaline substances into the body on a daily basis. The intestines, liver, kidneys and skin process these. The macro- and micronutrients required by the body are absorbed and the excess is excreted via the body's own detoxification organs. This is the principle of how acids and bases are normally balanced in the body.
However, our metabolism can only work properly as long as the individual regions in the body maintain the necessary pH value. As soon as this balance is upset, this can have a lasting effect on our health.
Which foods are "acidic" or "alkaline"?
PRAL value
The PRAL value (PRAL: Potential Renal Acid Load) is a frequently used value for assessing the acidifying or alkalising effect of foods. This value indicates the potential acid load on the kidneys (or acid production) caused by a food. The higher the value, the higher the acid excretion via the kidneys. Foods with a negative PRAL value are alkaline surplus, balance acids and thus relieve the kidneys. The more negative the PRAL value, the more acids are balanced out.
The PRAL value was developed by Dr Thomas Remer and Dr Friedrich Manz. In 1995, the two professors published thePRAL table values for a large number of foods.
The categorisation of foods with regard to their acidifying or alkalising effect can vary, depending on which assessment criteria are used.
The PRAL values according to Remer and Manz take various physiological factors into account. In principle, they are scientifically well thought out and a valuable tool. However, other criteria can also be used to categorise foods, e.g. alcohol content, sugar content or amino acid composition of the food.
These include enteric-coated, tasteless tablets - easy to swallow, prevent unpleasant burping and flatulence or for all those who do not want to or cannot swallow tablets, there are food supplements in practical powder form for stirring in.
PRAL values of Burgerstein Probase products:
- Probase per 5 tablets: -31 PRAL (mEq)
- Probase 1 tsp powder: -30 PRAL (mEq)
According to nutritional science, today's normal diet results in an acid surplus of 50 to 80 mEq per day. On average, this is 65 mEq.
