"I had previously believed that it was alkaline vs acid instead of balance."
Exactly right... there is NO good or bad mineral/element etc. it is about balance and balance is the key.
Without acids we would die, without alkaline minerals we would die. It takes both. Finding our balance by playing with and finding the balance with acid/alkaline foods, and/or a drink; could be a variation of the ML drink if one has a problem with an ingredient or two, will open eyes and doors if one were to pay attention to the subtle changes.
Things like this take time, however they are more permanent changes (if one does not go back to their old ways) and profound.