In recent years, the conversation around alkaline and acidic foods has grown rapidly. Many people are told to “eat more alkaline foods” to prevent disease, boost energy, and improve overall health. But what does this truly mean? And how does it align with traditional healing systems? Let’s go beyond trends and explore the deeper understanding of alkaline nutrition — especially from a holistic and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective. Understanding the Acid–Alkaline Concept The acid–alkaline theory suggests that the foods we eat leave either an acidic or alkaline residue in the body after digestion and metabolism. This is not about the taste of the food, but about its metabolic effect. For example: * Lemon tastes acidic but has an alkalizing effect in the body. * Processed meats and refined sugars create an acidic internal environment. The human body tightly regulates blood pH within a narrow range. However, lifestyle and diet can influence tissue health, inflammation levels, ...