¿El cuerpo ácido está relacionado con el cáncer? Desmintiendo mitos

Author: Unknown; Reviewer: Unknown; Commissioner: Unknown; Production Organization: Unknown; Title: Is an Acidic Body Related to Cancer? Debunking Myths. "Do you have an acidic pH in your body? Having an acidic pH can increase the risk of cancer; only an alkaline pH is healthy!" This phrase has spread like wildfire on social media, health seminars, and even from the mouths of certain "experts" for over a decade. Based on this theory, countless individuals frantically purchased "alkaline water" and "alkaline foods," and even attempted baking soda enemas, all to change their physical state. However, in 2018, the founder of this theory, Robert O. Young, admitted in a U.S. court to committing fraud and was sentenced to pay a hefty fine, which officially proclaimed the bankruptcy of the "acid and alkaline pH theory." Despite this, the wave of this trend still resonates, and today it is necessary to dismantle this deception from a physiological perspective to restore scientific truth to the public.

First, there is no concept of an 'acidic or alkaline body type' in the human body.

From a medical definition, there is no such thing as an 'acidic constitution' or 'alkaline constitution' in the human body. The body fluids are divided into various types, and the pH (level of acidity or alkalinity) in different parts of the body is completely different, all maintaining within a strict physiological range.

Food cannot change the pH of the blood.

The central error of the 'acid and alkaline theory' lies in the belief that consuming acidic foods (like meat, eggs, and sugar) will acidify the blood, while consuming alkaline foods (like vegetables and fruits) will make it alkaline. However, the buffering systems in the human body (such as the bicarbonate system, hemoglobin, and phosphates) are extremely robust. No matter how many lemons you consume (even though they are acidic, their metabolic products are alkaline) or how much meat you intake, the pH of the blood will remain firmly around 7.4.

If food could really easily change the pH of the blood, humanity would have already disappeared. The kidneys and lungs work around the clock to eliminate excess acid or base to maintain homeostasis in the internal environment. The variation in urine pH precisely demonstrates that the body is successfully regulating itself and has not changed its constitution.

Third, the causal inversion between cancer and acid-base.

Another concerning argument is that 'cancer cells prefer acidic environments, so an acidic body type is more prone to cancer.' This is actually a reversal of causality.

The truth is that cancer cells grow at a very fast rate, and their metabolism (Warburg effect) generates a large amount of lactic acid, causing the local tumor microenvironment to become acidic. In other words, it is the cancer cells that acidify the environment, not that the body has become acidic and this has caused the growth of cancer cells. The idea of attempting to 'kill' cancer cells by consuming alkaline foods or changing the body's pH to prevent cancer has no scientific basis. If one could actually turn the blood into something highly alkaline, the cancer cells would not die, but the person could suffer from alkalosis and die before the cancer cells themselves.

Fourth, why is the 'alkaline diet' still considered healthy?

Since the theory is false, why do doctors recommend eating more fruits and vegetables (the so-called alkaline foods)? It is not because they can change the body's constitution, but because they are rich in vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and antioxidants, which can reduce the risk of chronic diseases and cancer. In contrast, it is advisable to reduce the consumption of processed meats and refined sugars (the so-called acidic foods) because they contain too many saturated fats, additives, and empty calories, which can lead to obesity and inflammation.

Therefore, healthy dietary advice should be based on nutrition rather than acid-base chemistry. Although the health recommendations under the 'alkaline' concept are correct (eat more vegetables), their logic is flawed and can mislead the public into extreme behaviors (such as only eating vegetarian or drinking soda to cure illnesses).

Fifth, dismiss pseudoscience and embrace reason.

The decline of the 'acidic and alkaline body type' theory reminds us of the importance of maintaining critical thinking regarding health information. We should not rely on 'universal' theories that sound simplistic, absolute, and purport to explain all diseases. The complexity of the human body exceeds our imagination; there is no single factor (such as the level of acidity or alkalinity) that determines health or disease.

We do not need to buy expensive alkaline water or deliberately calculate the acidity and alkalinity of foods. Instead, we should follow the guidelines of a balanced diet: consume more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, adequate amounts of protein, and reduce oil, salt, and sugar intake. Trust in science and the powerful self-regulation of the human body; do not let pseudoscience impact your finances and do not allow it to delay appropriate treatments.