How to Look 20 at 50: The Alkaline Diet of Hollywood Stars (8 photos)

We never cease to be amazed by the prolonged youth of Hollywood celebrities and always attribute it to plastic surgery. Meanwhile, celebrities like Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Aniston, and Gwyneth Paltrow are not only youthful but also energetic. Youthful vigor can't be stretched like skin or fixed with a scalpel—the secret lies elsewhere. An alkaline diet allows these ladies to enjoy vitality and glowing, smooth skin.





Victoria Beckham follows the program outlined in the book "Honestly Healthy Alkaline Programme" by London chef and nutritionist Natasha Corrett and nutritionist Vicky Edson. This book is not just a dietary guide, but a true introduction to a "new way of life."



The key to this new philosophy of life is the so-called alkaline diet, which includes foods that, once ingested, become alkaline. It has long been known that the body must maintain an acid-base balance. Blood pH should be between 7.35 and 7.45—this environment can be considered alkaline, while a healthy stomach maintains an acidic environment.

However, if this balance is disrupted and blood acidity becomes higher than normal, this can lead to serious metabolic disorders. Nutrients, including trace elements and minerals, are absorbed less efficiently, mucus secretion increases, fat stores increase, skin and hair deteriorate, and immunity is dramatically weakened.





Increased blood acidity is a common problem in the modern world. Alkalinity can also increase, but this is very rare. Most of the foods we consume are acid-forming. Oddly enough, exercise also contributes to this imbalance and increases blood acidity.

The authors of the alkaline diet list meat, poultry, fish (except trout and salmon), seafood, all animal fats, milk, cheese, eggs, honey, anything made with flour, white rice, mushrooms, ketchup, mustard, artificial sweeteners, sweets, coffee, carbonated drinks, black tea, and almost all known alcoholic beverages as dangerous foods.



So, it turns out that none of the things we all love are safe to eat? What should we eat then? But as it turns out, the list of alkaline-forming foods is even more impressive. It includes many vegetables, berries, and fruits, including some that are sour, which is very strange.

The list of dietary foods includes lemons, limes, tomatoes, grapefruit, pomegranates, raw spinach (it becomes acidic when cooked), nuts, greens, grains (oats, buckwheat, millet, and quinoa), bananas, raisins and other dried fruits, fresh ginger, coconut and almond milk, olive, coconut, and flaxseed oils.



Experienced followers of the alkaline diet, such as Victoria Beckham, claim that the benefits of the new lifestyle can only be reap by replacing 80% of your diet with alkaline-forming foods. Acidic foods don't need to be eliminated completely, but they should make up no more than 20%.

But this is the opinion of Natasha Corrett, the most fanatical follower of the teachings. Nutrition experts support this method, but also argue that only two-thirds of your diet should consist of alkaline-forming foods.



Scientists and nutritionists also have skeptics who aren't convinced that stomach contents can dramatically affect the acid-base balance of our blood. Irina Turchinskaya, a nutritionist at the Wellness Daily Live Premium Club Health Center, even believes that playing with increased alkalinity is dangerous to health.

"Oxidative processes in the body occur constantly—that's how we're designed. Nature has a huge number of protective mechanisms that independently maintain the acid-base balance. Therefore, a clear imbalance toward alkalization can be harmful. On the other hand, if you're actively losing weight, a lot of waste products form in the blood, and alkaline foods can promote additional detoxification."



Turchinskaya believes that drinking half a liter of warm ionized alkaline water daily—which can be made at home using alkaline filters—is much more beneficial than switching to alkaline foods. Regarding the proportions of different food types, the nutritionist adheres to the classic theory that the body needs 50% carbohydrates, 25% protein, and 25% fat, rather than alkaline-forming foods.

Another proponent of the alkaline diet is Elle Macpherson. The supermodel claims that her smooth, glowing skin is the result of a healthy diet. Elle loves spinach and eats it daily. Although it's not an alkaline-forming food, it does have reduced acid-forming properties, which is a good thing.



Macpherson often chooses wild salmon for lunch and is very careful with coffee. Because it's a very acidic drink, she only allows herself a small cup of espresso in the morning. The star, together with her personal nutritionist, Simone Lobscher, even released a special alkalizing beauty supplement made from 45 ingredients.