Acid Alkaline Foods

Foods are categorized into two, based on the kind of ash left. An acidic diet leaves an acidic ash, whereas foods in the alkaline diet category produce an alkaline ash. A diet which contributes to about eighty per cent of alkaline foods and twenty per cent of acidic foods are recommended. The pH of the blood is affected by the kind of food we eat. The pH of blood is 7.35 to 7.45. When the pH levels decrease to 6.8 or increase to 7.5, the cell functioning is affected.


It is a life threatening condition that calls for a proper diet. The pH of the system plays a vital role in the absorption and assimilation of nutrients. Certain alkaline foods are tomato, lemon, red cabbage, beans, peas, lettuce, carrot, turnip, chives, cucumber, water cress, cauliflower, onion and so on.


Acidic foods are fizzy drinks, caffeinated beverages, vinegar, whole meal bread, chocolates, fast foods, powdered soups, saturated fats and hydrogenated oil. Increased alkalinity in the diet calls for supplementation of vitamin C, flaxseed oil and calcium.

Before getting into the details of acid alkaline foods and the various acid alkaline food chart and lists, it is important to have a basic understanding of the pH scale and the various grades that some of the more common foods we consume place on that list.


The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14 and rates foods based on the amount of acidic or alkaline content they leave behind within the body after digestion. This residue plays a significant role in the health of the body and the human body tends to have a rather large alkaline reserve in order to maintain some semblance of balance in the event the individual consumes too much of the acidic varieties of foods. Inconsistencies in the pH balance in the body are known to be significantly harmful for a number of systems within the human body.


The pH scale will categorize foods on the scale of 0 to 14, with foods registering a value of 7 considered to be neutral and having absolutely no influence on the alkaline acidic balance. Foods that have a pH value of below 7 are considered to be acidic while the foods that rate higher than 7 leave behind alkaline residues in the body. Because of the fact that fast foods such as hamburgers and pizzas are becoming such an increasingly common part of our daily diet, it is important to remember the role that our nutrition plays in our overall health. Studies have shown that diet diseases are the most common causes of death in the United States of America today.

One of the biggest mistakes that a lot of people tend to make when it comes to balancing acid alkaline foods is that they assume that their diet may be too acidic because it is a common problem with the general population. However, there are a number of individual factors that influence the acidic or alkaline content of your diet. For instance, consumption of mineral water is known to increase the alkaline properties of the body while consumption of certain foods may boost the acidic levels. As a result, each individual’s acidic alkaline properties will depend heavily on his or her preferences when it comes to food as well as the varieties of foods available to them in their geographical location. Some foods, such as orange and lemon juice are of a different variety as they are acidic in their natural state, but tend to turn alkaline after consumption. There is a lot of more in depth information available through a number of sources such as the internet as well as your local bookstore. 

Acidosis is a result of excessive acid producing foods, namely, sugar, white flour, processed foods, artificial sweeteners, caffeinated beverages and soft drinks. Fruit and vegetable juices are alkaline. They have an alkaline effect on the body. Vegetable broth, celery, beet, citrus, pineapple, fig juice and green leaves juice are alkali forming foods. Increased physical activity and stress, results in acidification. Cereals, sugars and protein are generally taken in greater amounts, thereby making the diet more acidic. Fruits and vegetable that are more essential, are alkali producing and comprise minority part of the diet. Caffeinated beverages, such as coffee and tea are not preferred, as they are stimulants that result in an acidic ash. Alcoholic beverages and smoking also increases the acidic ash. Acidic foods, such as refined flour, processed foods and sugars are better avoided to prevent acidic ash and the increase in blood glucose levels. Acid forming foods results in the depletion of certain minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium. Bone demineralization happens to reduce the acidity, thereby straining the bones and other vital organs. The body's pH should be alkaline to heal or cure any kind of disease. Emotional stress, immune reactions and toxic overload also causes acidosis. Increased acidosis calls for an alkalizing diet. Stress and allergic reactions increases the acidosis. A balanced and well framed diet helps in averting all kinds of complications and improves the overall health of the individual.