Duchess of York's diet 'faddy and factually incorrect' as celebrity regimes named and shamed

The Duchess of York's favoured Alkaline diet is based on a 'basic misunderstanding of human physiology', the BDA says - Christopher Pledger
The Duchess of York's favoured Alkaline diet is based on a 'basic misunderstanding of human physiology', the BDA says - Christopher Pledger

A diet promoted by the Duchess of York is “faddy and factually incorrect”, the British Dietetic Association says.

The Alkaline diet has been named as one of the BDA's annual list of 'celebrity' diets to avoid, which also includes Raw Vegan, Pioppi and Ketogenic diets as well as Katie Price’s Nutritional Supplements.

Researchers say the Alkaline diet, which is used by actors Tom Brady and Gwyneth Paltrow as well as the Duchess of York, purports to reduce health risks and change a person's pH balance by consuming more alkaline and less acidic foods.

In some cases, it has been wrongly claimed that it can treat cancer, although it is not suggested that the Duchess, Gwyneth Paltrow or Tom Brady have ever made this claim.

Gwyneth Paltrow - Credit: BFA/REX/Shutterstock
The Alkaline diet, also used by actress Gwyneth Paltrow, purports to reduce health risks and change a person's pH balance by consuming more Credit: BFA/REX/Shutterstock

The report reveals: "Unfortunately, this diet is based on a basic misunderstanding of human physiology. While encouraging people to eat more fresh vegetables is a good thing, the pH of your food will not have an impact on the pH of your blood.

"Your body is perfectly capable of keeping its blood within a very specific pH range (between 7.35 and 7.45). If it fails to do so you would become very ill very quickly and die if not treated!

"You’ll most likely lose weight as you are cutting out processed foods and eating more healthily – nothing to do with acid or alkali nonsense."

The BDA says the Raw Vegan diet, linked to Sting, has been promoted as a cure for obesity and other disease but it warns that it could damage your health in the long term.

Katie Price - Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage
The BDA advises against Katie Price's Nutritional Supplements Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage

It also advises against Katie Price's Nutritional Supplements, adding: "You need to like the meal replacement products to stay with the plan. Rapid weight loss can be motivating, but it is unsustainable. Appetite suppressors are not a healthy, advisable or sustainable way of losing weight either."

Sian Porter, consultant dietitian with the BDA, said: “When we see a celeb – looking fabulous and seemingly having a wonderful life – telling us that they did through the latest fad diet it can be very tempting to believe that it will be the magic bullet to change our lives too!

"The truth is most celebs have a busy team of professionals and assistants preparing their food, monitoring their exercise, picking their clothes, doing their makeup and making sure they always look their best.

"In reality, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always ask for evidence and get your advice from someone properly qualified and regulated with nothing to sell or promote.

“Make small changes you will be able to sustain forever and aim for an eating pattern for life – which should be the one you can stick to in the long term, not just a quick fix you will inevitably give up on! Enjoy a rich variety of foods in appropriate portion sizes – moderation and keeping physically active are key."