According to "Krause's Food, Nutrition, and Diet Therapy", foods we eat affect the acidity and alkalinity of urine. Foods high in chloride, phosphorous and sulfur increase acidity, while foods high in potassium, calcium and magnesium increase alkalinity. Highly acidic urine is associated with xanthine, cystine, uric acid, and calcium oxalate stones. According to MedlinePlus, doctors check urine pH to assess risk for kidney stones. Doctors will recommend patients follow a balanced diet prior to urine pH testing. A diet high in fruits and vegetables will increase urine pH and meat and cranberries will lower pH. Holistic doctors recommend alkaline foods to help treat acidic conditions like acid reflux.
Fruits and Vegetables
According to "Krause's Food, Nutrition, and Diet Therapy", most fruits and vegetables cause alkaline urine, with the exception of prunes, plums and cranberries. Fruits and vegetables that cause alkaline urine include beets, beet greens, Swiss chard, dandelion greens, kale, mustard greens, spinach, turnip greens, broccoli, carrots, lettuce, potatoes, cauliflower, celery, eggplant, squash, turnips, mushrooms, tomatoes, tomato juice, zucchini, apples, bananas, grapefruit, oranges, pineapple, raisins, nectarines, blackberries, apple juice, apricots, pears, strawberries, watermelon and dates.
Fats
According to the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association", most fats are neutral with the exception of margarine.
Beverages
Low phosphorous beverages were the most alkaline. These beverages included draft beer, stout beer, cocoa made with skim milk, coffee, mineral water, red wine, white wine and tea, according to the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association."
Nuts
According to "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy" and the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association", almonds, chestnuts, coconuts and hazelnuts are the only alkaline nuts.
Dairy
"The Mayo Clinic Diet Manual" lists milk, ice cream, and cream as contributing to the alkalinity of urine. "Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy" states milk contributes to both the acidity and alkalinity of urine.
Sweeteners
According to the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association", molasses, marmalade and white sugar contribute to alkaline urine.
References
- "Krause's Food, Nutrition, and Diet Therapy"; L. Kathleen Mahan; 1996
- U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health: MedlinePlus: Urine pH
- Alkaline Diet: Foods with Alkaline Ash
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association": Potential Renal Acid Load of Foods and Its Influence on Urine pH; Friedrich Manz; 1995
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