What influence does an alkaline diet have on the connective tissue? | Strengthen connective tissue through nutrition

What influence does an alkaline diet have on the connective tissue?

The alkaline diet is often mentioned in connection with a strengthening of the connective tissue. But what exactly is an alkaline diet and does it really have a positive influence on the connective tissue? At the beginning of the 20th century, the alkaline diet developed in alternative health science and theorises that acidity of the body is the cause of various diseases.

According to this theory, an excess of acidic food would lead to hyperacidity with negative consequences for the body. The alkaline diet follows a concept in which two-thirds of the diet consists of alkaline foods such as potatoes, vegetables, raw milk and dried fruit. Acidic foods include tea, meat, eggs, fish and dairy products.

However, there is strong criticism of alkaline diets because, on the one hand, there is no scientific evidence of their benefits and, on the other hand, there is no evidence of the existence of “acidity”. The German Society for Nutrition therefore distances itself clearly from this form of nutrition and recommends a complete, balanced diet without renunciation. With regard to the connective tissue, a purely alkaline diet may even have disadvantages. Abstaining from meat, fish, tomatoes, oils and dairy products deprives the connective tissue of important vitamins, trace elements, minerals and nutrients that are important for healthy connective tissue.

Can minerals help?

Minerals are various electrolytes and salts that take over important functions in the human body. Some of these minerals are not produced in the body, but have to be supplied from outside, through food. These include zinc and iodine, for example.

As components of various hormones, the electrolyte balance and the metabolic pathways, minerals also have a great influence on the integrity of the connective tissue. However, minerals fulfil these functions in their entirety so that the substitution of a certain mineral does not lead to an improvement or strengthening of the connective tissue. Skin ageing processes and the natural loss of elasticity and resilience of the connective tissue in old age cannot be stopped by a special diet or the external supply of minerals.

Assessment

Connective tissue is found in different compositions, in different parts of the body and fulfils important functions there. An intact connective tissue requires nutrients, minerals and vitamins to be able to renew itself and fulfil the respective functions, for example hormone production. The connective tissue receives some of these important substances from the body’s own production, while the other part must be supplied from outside.

Therefore nutrition is very important. However, it is a balanced diet that does not require any special adaptation. No special foods have to be distorted in order to strengthen the connective tissue in a targeted manner.

This is also not possible. Disturbances in the connective tissue only occur when there are real deficiencies. This is the case, for example, with a strictly one-sided diet or malnutrition.