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The typical American diet, high in acid forming grains and protein while lacking alkaline forming fruits and vegetables, greatly affects the overall pH of the body. The human body works very hard to maintain a blood pH around 7.35-7.45. Going back to high school chemistry it may be remembered that a pH lower than 7 is acidic while above 7 is alkaline. Diverging too much from the ideal range in either direction can be potentially harmful, but the American diet subjects the body to a much higher acid-load than is optimal. 
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Without getting too scientific in this article, understand that the negative health consequences of an acidic blood pH are many. One of the biggest consequences, in my opinion, and generally overlooked until recently, is the effect on osteoporosis. If the body is too acidic it will utilize stored alkaline buffering minerals in an attempt to regain the optimal pH. One of the primary stored buffering minerals in the body is calcium. Under acidic conditions the body will resort to pulling calcium out of the bones in an attempt to regain homeostasis, thus creating the potential for osteopenia or over time osteoporosis.
Dr. Russell Jaffe has written a great article summarizing acid-akaline balance and it’s effect on bone health. He has also written a phenomenal resource when dealing with all aspects of acid-alkaline balance and how to maintain an alkaline lifestyle called The Joy of Food: The Alkaline Way Guide. There are many other factors contributing to the net acid-alkaline balance of the body including stress. However, overlooking the impact of nutrition is highly negligent. By simply being more conscientious of the foods consumed, and the impact they have on pH balance in the body, it is possible to lead a much healthier life and minimize the risk of debilitating, degenerative diseases.
A recently published research article, Effect of a supplement rich in alkaline minerals on acid-base balance in humans, evaluates the benefits of multimineral supplementation to increase the buffering minerals in the body. Proper diet should always be the cornerstone in any nutritional program, but as the name implies supplements can be a good addition to ensure that all the bases are covered. Taking a multimineral supplement could potentially alkalinize the body while also replenishing minerals lost to extended periods of net acid-load. This provides just two potential benefits for the simple act of taking a few pills a day.
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