Foods are a combination of chemicals that create more chemical reactions inside our bodies after they are eaten. Raw foods are full of natural, living enzymes, vitamins, minerals and nutrients that are needed to produce hormones and amino acids, and provide support for cellular growth and development. Any food ingested, whether raw, cooked or otherwise processed, creates a chemical reaction with digestive juices. This reaction is either alkaline or acidic.
Alkaline and Acidity
The terms alkalinity and acidity describe the two ends of the pH scale. This is a measure of free hydrogen and hydroxyl ions in the solution as described by the US Department of the Interior. The scale runs from 0 to 14 with 7 being neutral. A pH less than 7 indicates acidity while measures above 7 indicate alkalinity. The acidity or alkalinity of a solution or chemical predicts how soluble it is in water and how bioavailable it is to cells.
Reactions in the Body
Foods are classified as acidic or alkaline, depending upon whether they are on the acidic scale prior to being metabolized or after it is excreted in the urine. The Connective Tissue Disorder website makes the distinction between acid-forming foods or alkaline-forming foods when they cause the urine pH to increase or decrease following consumption. One line of defense against disease is the pH balance of your body. Your body works best in an alkaline environment, while disease, bacteria, yeast, mold, viruses and cancer thrive in an overly acidic body, states Sonja Benjamin, a certified classical homeopath in Atlanta, Georgia.
Alkaline-Forming Foods
Ben Kim, D.O.M., recommends a greater number of alkaline-forming foods than acidifying foods to have a net alkaline effect in the body. Foods that are alkaline-forming include cantaloupe, limes, mango, honeydew, seaweed, parsley, asparagus, kiwi, pears, pineapple, raisins, vegetable juices, apples, sprouts, bananas, garlic, ginger, nectarines, grapefruit, oranges, most herbs, peas, lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower.
Acid-Forming Foods
Foods also have acid-forming tendencies in the body after metabolism. Christopher Vasey, M.D., lists foods that are primarily rich in proteins, carbohydrates and sugars as those that acidify after metabolism. These foods include meats, poultry, cold cuts, eggs, cheese, vegetable oils, whole and refined grains, legumes such as peanuts and soybeans, white sugar, coffee, tea and condiments such as ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard.
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