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Chicken is the most commonly consumed poultry in the world, and health coaches often push chicken as a staple protein. Many fad diets rely heavily on chicken breasts as their main source of protein, especially because chicken is low in fat and extremely filling. With millions of chickens consumed daily in the United States alone, this begs the question: Is chicken alkaline?
There are many positive health effects of chicken, which explains why it is so commonly recommended in diets. First, chicken is a lean protein, rich in high quality protein and low in fat. Chicken is an excellent source of Vitamin B12, zinc, iron, copper, and choline (1). As a protein-rich food, chicken can help you feel full for longer, which may help with weight management. It also contains amino acids that help build muscle tissue and maintain bone mineral density. These amino acids may lower your risk of osteoporosis. Additionally, “chicken contains the amino acid tryptophan, which has been linked to higher levels of serotonin,” which may help boost your mood when paired with other healthy lifestyle factors (1).
Chicken can be prepared in a variety of different ways, which may affect its overall level of health. For example, a grilled chicken breast prepared with minimal oil is going to be less fatty than fried or breaded chicken. Chicken may contain high levels of carbs, fats, and calories based on how it is prepared. Chicken can be processed as lunch meat, which may contain high levels of sodium and preservatives (2).
The terms “alkaline” and “acidic” are often associated with foods and beverages, although other substances can also be described using these terms. To measure the alkalinity or acidity of a beverage, you assign it a pH value, which indicates its alkalinity or acidity.
Foods, on the other hand, are more accurately measured with another value: aPRAL score. PRAL stands for Potential Renal Acid Load, and it measures the amount of acid a food produces in the body after digestion. A food’s PRAL can be positive or negative. A positive PRAL indicates an acidic food, with higher numbers increasing in acidity. The inverse is also true regarding alkalinity–a negative PRAL indicates an alkaline food, and the alkalinity increases as the number becomes more negative.
Chicken has a PRAL of 7.5, so it is considered acidic. Most protein sources, including meats, poultry, fish, and dairy, are acid-forming (3).
While chicken has many positive health benefits, it can contribute a certain amount of acid to your body after digestion. As a whole, the Western diet is overly acidic, leaning on meats, eggs, beans, and dairy, as well as processed or sugary foods. An overly acidic diet can lead to uric acid stones, a type of kidney stone, as the pH of your urine is affected by your diet.
Additionally, many people notice that an overly acidic diet may lead to worsening symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn.
If you notice that you struggle with the symptoms of an overly acidic diet, there is a simple solution: swap acidic foods/beverages for alkaline ones, or simply add more alkalinity to your diet. Adding alkaline foods to your diet is almost always a healthy choice, as alkaline foods include fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Alkaline foods are rarely processed and tend to be fresh, whole foods packed with vitamins and minerals.
Many people can pinpoint certain acidic foods that set off acid reflux symptoms, and avoiding these particular foods can help keep symptoms at bay.
If you are unwilling or unable to add more alkaline foods to your diet, another step you can take towards balancing your body’s levels is to drink alkaline water. Alkaline water contains healthy minerals in it, and drinking alkaline water is just as simple as drinking regular water. Alkaline water can be made in the comfort of your own home through the use of an alkalizing water system. For a quick, cost-effective option, try Seychelle’s pH2O Pure Water Pitcher. Making alkaline water is as easy as filling the pitcher with tap water, waiting a few minutes, and enjoying clean alkaline water.
Chicken is an excellent source of protein, providing the body with amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. It is often recommended by health specialists for its health benefits and low carb, low fat profile. However, chicken has a positive PRAL, and therefore has an acidic effect on the body. To offset chicken’s acidity, consider adding more alkaline foods and beverages to your diet.
Is there any meat that is alkaline?
No. All meats, including poultry, beef, and fish, are acidic.
Are eggs acidic?
While egg whites are slightly alkaline, eggs as a whole are considered acidic.
What foods will alkalize my body?
Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds are all alkaline foods that may help alkalize your body.
References
Kathleen Zelman,WebMD,https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-chicken
Miho Hatanaka,Healthline,https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-chicken-good-for-you
Dieticians on Demand,https://dietitiansondemand.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/NEAP-charts-PDF.pdf
