The pH scale measures the alkalinity or acidity of any substance. The scale ranges from 0 to 14, with anything less than 7.0 being acid, and over 7.0 being alkaline. A neutral pH is 7.0. Your blood pH is slightly alkaline, with a pH of between 7.35 and 7.45. Foods can also be ranked according to the acidic or alkaline effect they have within your body.
Importance of the Body's pH Balance
Maintaining a proper pH balance in your body ensures that all metabolic processes operate at an optimal level. Any slight deviation of the blood's pH balance may put your body into a state of alkalosis or acidosis, leaving you open to metabolic problems and disease. To a great extent, your pH balance is affected by the foods you eat, the amount of stress you are under or any situation that deprives the cells of oxygen. All of these factors may produce an excess acidic state, leaving you open to possible health issues.
Acidic Balance
A disturbance in the blood's pH balance may result in excessive acidity and mild, chronic acidosis. This is usually caused by diet, according to a 2009 study in the journal "Alternative and Complementary Therapies." Chronic, low-grade acidosis may result in fatigue, excessive colds and other respiratory infections, slow endocrine functioning, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and premature aging. Acidosis may also result from gastrointestinal problems, surgical complications, disease and infection. A diet high in animal protein may also contribute to the body's acid load and low-grade acidosis.
Medium Acidic Foods
The body's pH is mainly regulated by the removal of acids by the lungs, which remove carbon dioxide, and by the kidneys, which excrete bicarbonate. To help adjust your pH balance, eat foods that have acidic or alkaline effects on the body. Foods that have a medium acidic effect on your system are ripe olives, pomegranates, cranberries, corn, salmon, haddock, chicken, scallops, liver, tuna, duck, eggs, cream cheese, cottage cheese, rye bread, whole-wheat bread, white rice, coffee, wine and peanuts.
Low to Moderate Acidic Foods
The body's goal is to keep a balance between the acidic and alkaline foods that you eat to maintain a normal pH level. Low acid-forming foods include balsamic vinegar, kasha, buckwheat flour, maple syrup, mayonnaise, brown rice, chickpeas, baked beans, split peas, white beans, green peas, kidney beans, sunflower oil, sesame oil, canola oil, butter, yogurt, eggs, clams, figs, gelatin, dates, plums, prunes, carrots, tomatoes, spinach rhubarb, string beans and lima beans.
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