Most food consumed either has an alkalizing or acidifying effect on the pH level of your blood. A neutral pH is 7.0; going above that level makes the blood alkaline and below that level, the blood is acidic. Because other factors such as stress and toxin overload may cause acidic levels to rise in the blood, the healthiest level to have is slightly on the alkaline side, between 7.35 and 7.45.
Identification
Many studies have been done on the effect of acid-forming foods and how they have an effect on developing osteoporosis, according to "Today's Dietitian" magazine. When people consume a great deal of acid-forming foods, the body must neutralize them to balance pH by releasing alkalizing minerals such as calcium, sodium, magnesium and potassium into the blood to buffer the acid. If your diet is low in alkalizing minerals, the body will use stored minerals from the bones to buffer the acid.
Testing pH Level
According to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, testing urine and saliva will not give an accurate testing of your body's pH. Urine has a lower, average pH, around 6.0, and is naturally more acidic. The best way to get an accurate pH reading is to directly test your blood.
Alkaline Diet
An alkaline diet consists of eating plenty of fruit, vegetables and other foods that have an alkalizing effect on the body. Vegetables such as spinach, peppers, asparagus and broccoli contain high amounts of alkaline minerals. Fruit such as lemons, watermelon and avocados have an alkalizing effect on the body. Protein such as whey protein powder, seeds and nuts are all healthy alkalizing foods.
Acidic Diet
The most acidifying foods include fish, meat, poultry, sugar, dairy, caffeine, alcohol and salt. When these foods are digested, they leave an acidic ash residue with minerals such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid. Having too much acid in the body will lead to acidosis, and this condition will decrease cells' energy to produce and inhibit the body's ability to absorb nutrients.
Considerations
According to the book "The pH Miracle: Balance Your Diet, Reclaim Your Health," a healthy diet should consist of 80 percent alkalizing foods and 20 percent acidifying foods. Acid-forming foods such as fish, beans and dairy are vital to one's diet and provide nutrients such as vitamin D, fiber and protein; these foods should not be avoided.
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