Acidic Foods – Knowing What To Limit and What To Avoid

Here’s a list of some acidic foods and their acidity level.

ACIDIC FOODS – If you have some problems with acidity, here are some foods that are acidic that you must avoid or limit taking.

The acid level of foods is determined by their pH value. The values fall between 0 and 14 where the lower the pH value, the more acidic the food is.

Here’s a guide:

  • pH of 0: Most acidic
  • pH of 7: Neutral
  • pH of 14: Most basic, or alkaline
Acidic Foods

It is important for people to know how acid and alkaline substances react with the body. This way, people will know what they should take and what they should not take, and avoid.

Check out the table below regarding the pH value of these body parts and fluids:

Body part/fluidpH level
Saliva6.5 – 7.5
Upper stomach4.0 – 6.5
Lower stomach1.5 – 3.5
Small intestine6.0 – 7.4
Large intestine5.0 – 8.0

The blood’s pH value ranges from 7.35 – 7.45 which means that this is slightly alkaline.

Here are some examples of high-acid foods:

  • grains
  • sugar
  • certain dairy products
  • fish
  • processed foods
  • fresh meats and processed meats, such as corned beef and turkey
  • sodas and other sweetened beverages
  • high-protein foods and supplements

When it comes to fruits, here are some details such as their pH value according to Clemson University:

  • lemon juice (pH: 2.00–2.60)
  • limes (pH: 2.00–2.80)
  • blue plums (pH: 2.80–3.40)
  • grapes (pH: 2.90–3.82)
  • pomegranates (pH: 2.93–3.20)
  • grapefruits (pH: 3.00–3.75)
  • blueberries (pH: 3.12–3.33)
  • pineapples (pH: 3.20–4.00)
  • apples (pH: 3.30–4.00)
  • peaches (pH: 3.30–4.05)
  • oranges (pH: 3.69–4.34)
  • tomatoes (pH: 4.30–4.90)

The pH value of some vegetables:

  • sauerkraut (pH: 3.30–3.60)
  • cabbage (pH: 5.20–6.80)
  • beets (pH: 5.30–6.60)
  • corn (pH: 5.90–7.50)
  • mushrooms (pH: 6.00–6.70)
  • broccoli (pH: 6.30-6.85)
  • collard greens (pH: 6.50–7.50)

As the data suggested, these fruits have low pH levels, meaning they are acidic. These foods and citrus foods may contribute to symptoms of issues like an ulcer or reflux.

Meanwhile, here are some neutral foods and drinks:

  • soy like miso, soybeans, tofu, and tempeh
  • unsweetened yogurt and milk
  • most fresh vegetables, including potatoes
  • most fruits
  • herbs and spices, excluding salt, mustard, and nutmeg
  • beans and lentils
  • some whole grains like millet, quinoa, and amaranth
  • herbal teas
  • fats like olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds

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