Food can be classified into two groups namely the acidic food group and the alkaline food group. These food are categorized as such because they affect the urine pH level when they are consumed. Our body’s acid-alkaline balance, also known as pH, can affect our overall well-being.
Whatever food we consume, once it enters our body, it will undergo processing and becomes acidic. Too much acid consumption can deplete the minerals in our body, thus growing the risk of heart disease, kidney problems, and osteoporosis. That is why we need alkaline food as well, to help balance out the acidity in our bodies.
pH Value
pH stands for the power of hydrogen. The value indicates the acidity or alkalinity of our bodily fluids and tissues. The total pH scale ranges from 1 to 14, with 7 considered being neutral. Our ideal pH should be around 7.30 to 7.45. If the body pH value is <7 that means it is acidic whereas if it is >7, it is alkaline. When a solution has pH 7, it is neutral.
The most common form of pH imbalance is excess acidity. It can lead to numerous health issues, and it can even be life-threatening.
So what causes acidic pH in our body? There are actually many answers to this question. One simple answer to answer them all – Is your LIFESTYLE.
What’s your diet like? Is it full of meat and little to no fruits and vegetables?
What’s your usual day like? Is it full of stress, anxiety, and never-ending demands from others?
How do you breathe? Is it full or shallow?
Anything that deprives your cells of oxygen and important nutrients can decimate your health. To counter this, your body actually has its own defense mechanism, whereby it uses its own alkaline reserves to fight the acidic pH in your body.
But there’s a catch, you need to consume an alkaline-rich diet to maintain your alkaline reserves. Otherwise, where could it possibly come from?
With an acidic medium, opportunistic diseases shall arise, as a pH-imbalanced environment prohibits normal bodily function and dampens the immune system.
Thus, maintaining your internal pH is a top priority to ensure optimal health. When your internal pH becomes acidic, it becomes a perfect medium for bacteria growth and this will trigger your body to tackle this problem with your alkaline reserves.
However, a body with depleted alkaline reserves will be in a weakened state. Thus, it is necessary to maintain a balanced internal pH and adequate reserves for optimal health.
Did you know that the number 1 reason why 90% of our population today suffers from acidosis is actually due to our typical diet?
It’s no surprise considering that most of the food we consume today is actually acid-forming food! Some quick examples are dairy and animal products such as meat and eggs. On the contrary, we consume too few vegetables that are actually alkaline-forming food!
We even consume highly processed food such as sugar and flour and drink highly caffeinated and carbonated beverages.
Modern drugs and artificial sweeteners also contribute to the sad state we’re in right now, as they are actually extremely harmful to our body and dramatically put our internal pH in an imbalanced state. No wonder we are getting sick in this modern age!
Consequences of Extended Acidosis
Extended acidosis can be destructive to your body and increases the risk for a number of unfavorable health conditions, including:
• Weak bones (osteoporosis).
• Mood swings
• Chronic exhaustion
• Indigestion
• Urinary tract abnormalities, such as kidney stones
• Weight gain, obesity, and diabetes
• Impaired metabolism and failure to lose weight
• Chronic inflammation
• High blood pressure
• Weakened immunity
• Yeast/fungal overgrowth
• Accumulation of lactate, causing muscle aches
• Joint pain
So how do we FIX this? Good question. Well, the answer is rather simple – FIX your own lifestyle and practice better food choices!
The rule of thumb is to consume a diet that contains 60% alkaline food and 40% acidic food on a daily basis. Let’s say your body is currently at an alarming acidic state – It’s wise to actually consume more than 60% alkaline food to neutralize your internal pH.
Examples of alkaline food are most fruits and green vegetables; whereas acid-forming food comprises of meat, fish, soymilk, most grains, coffee, nuts, pasta, and energy drink.
Practicing Alkaline Diet
The alkaline diet, also known as the acid-alkaline diet, consists of alkaline food such as most fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Having an alkaline diet may have some potential in reducing morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases.
Studies also show that an alkaline diet can actually kill cancer cells!
Alkaline Food
So what is alkaline food? I’m going to list them out so that you can have a whole bunch of food to choose from to include in your diet. On the upside, alkaline food is generally low in calories, so you can eat a lot of them without worrying about getting fat!
Related: Benefits In Eating Healthy
List of alkalizing vegetables
1. Spinach
• Very Low Alkaline Forming Food
• Moderate Alkaline- ph7.5 to 8.0
• Spinach content raises alkalinity
2. Cabbage
• Low Alkaline Forming Food
• Moderate Alkaline – ph7.5 to 8.0
• Substitute for coca; mineral-rich
3. Cucumber
• Very Low Alkaline Forming Food
• Slightly Alkaline to Neutral ph7.0
4. Celery
• Very Low Alkaline Forming Food
• Moderate Alkaline – ph7.5 to 8.0
• Neutralize acidic food
5. Capsicum (Bell peppers)
• Low Alkaline Forming Food
• Moderate Alkaline – ph7.5 to 8.0
• Substitute for cocoa; mineral-rich
6. Cauliflower
• Low Alkaline Forming Food
• Moderate Alkaline – ph7.5 to 8.0
7. Broccoli
• Moderately Alkaline Forming Food
• Moderate Alkaline – ph7.5 to 8.0
• Substitute for cocoa; mineral-rich
List Of Alkalizing Fruits
1. Lemons
• Highly Alkaline Forming Food
• Extremely Alkaline Forming food – pH 8.5 to 9.0
• Excellent remedy for stomach discomfort, sore throat, mild colds, and cough
2. Lime
• Highly Alkaline Forming Food
• Extremely Alkaline Forming food – pH 8.5 to 9.0
• Purifies kidneys
3. Grapes
• Very Low Alkaline Forming Food
• Moderate Alkaline – ph7.5 to 8.0
4. Apples (Sour)
• Low Alkaline Forming Food
• Moderate Alkaline – ph7.5 to 8.0
• Substitute for cocoa; mineral-rich
5. Pears
• Low Alkaline Forming Food
• Moderate Alkaline – ph7.5 to 8.0
• Pears content raises alkalinity
6. Bananas
• Very Low Alkaline Forming Food
• Moderate Alkaline – ph7.5 to 8.0
• Elevates acid food 5.0 in an alkaline direction
7. Oranges
• Very Low Alkaline Forming Food
• Moderate Alkaline – ph7.5 to 8.0
Acidic Food
Overconsumption of acid-forming food and not sufficient alkalizing food could cause over-acidity in the body. Technically acidic food is not entirely unhealthy due to the fact it is acid-forming as they are still essential for our optimum health.
List Of Acidic Fruit
1. Blackberries
• Usually categorized as a mild alkaline food
• Safe to consume for those who have serious problems with acid reflux/heartburn
2. Cranberries
• Moderately Acid Forming Food
• Slightly Acid to Neutral pH 7.0
• Contain acid-forming benzoic and quinic acids
3. Canned Fruits
• Moderately Acid Forming Food
• Slight Acid to Neutral pH 7.0
• The acidity of canned fruits can react with the cans be it metal or tin which would lead to the fruits being contaminated with unsafe concentrations from the can
List Of Animal Proteins
1. Beef
• Highly Acid Forming Food
• Extremely Acid Forming Food –pH 5.0 to 5.5
• Leaches minerals which in turn affects our body’s pH levels
2. Mutton
• Low Acid Forming Food
• Extremely Acid Forming Food –pH 5.0 to 5.5
3. Chicken
• Very Low to Moderately Acid Forming Food
• Extremely Acid Forming Food –pH 5.0 to 5.5
4. Pork
• Moderately Acid Forming Food
• Extremely Acid Forming Food –pH 5.0 to 5.5
5. Turkey
• Low Acid Forming Food
• Extremely Acid Forming Food –pH 5.0 to 5.5
6. Fish
• Very Low Acid Forming Food
• Moderate Acid – pH 6.0 to 6.5
7. Seafood
• Highly Acid Forming Food
• Extremely Acid Forming Food –pH 5.0 to 5.5
• Leaches minerals which in turn affect our body’s pH levels
8. Dried Beans
• Very Low Acid – Low Acid Forming Food
• Slightly Acid to Neutral pH 7.0
9. Chicken Eggs
• Very Low Acid Forming Food
• Moderate Acid – pH 6.0 to 6.5
10. Nuts (pecan, hazelnut, walnuts, brazil nuts)
• Highly Acid Forming Food
• Slightly Acid to Neutral pH 7.0
11. Dairy products (butter, cheese, cream, milk)
• Very Low Acid Forming Food
• Slightly Acid to Neutral pH 7.0
12. Brown rice and white rice, rye, barley, all processed flour
• Extremely Acidic
• Extremely Acid Forming Food –pH 5.0 to 5.5
