Animal-Based Diet Increases “Acid Load”, Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes

The Western diet, which tends to be rich in animal products and other highly acidic (acidogenic) foods, induces an acid load on the body that can cause chronic metabolic acidosis and reduce insulin sensitivity, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, according to French researchers. In a study of more than 66,000 women, the researchers found that it didn’t matter where the acid load came from – though fruits and vegetables were not the problem – the higher the overall acidity of the diet, the greater the risk of diabetes. However, contrary to general belief, “Most fruits, such as peaches, apples, pears, bananas and even lemons and oranges actually reduce dietary acid load once the body has processed them.”