This heavily-skewed balance towards protein, carbohydrates, and processed meals represents what nutrition experts call a high dietary acid load. “A diet rich in animal proteins and processed foods increases dietary acid load and causes a more acidic urine pH,” says Beverley Beynon-Cobb, specialist dietitian and research fellow at University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire. Researchers are beginning to understand why population datasets show that a high dietary acid load is harmful over time. However, some scientists believe more evidence is needed to show that a high-acid diet directly increases disease risk before it is included in mainstream nutrition guidelines. We’re still learning more, but there’s every chance that taking steps to minimise dietary acid load, especially as you get older, could go a long way to maintaining your health.

Source: Irish Examiner February 06, 2026 02:09 UTC