Stomach acid is not only valuable for digesting foods. It is extrememly important for making sure that bacteria, fungas and parasites do not get into our steryl intestines. Same thing goes for acidophilus cultures in our colon. It keeps the fungus from running rampant. When Antibiotics kill these important cultures then fungus proliferates and it is exactly what happened to me.
I do agree with you about the health benefits of alkalizing. But the intestinal ecology must be intact first (i.e. proper PH in the stomach and colon)