What Are Foods & Drinks That Reduce Your Ph Level?

The body maintains a delicate acid-alkaline, or pH, balance. All foods have their own pH levels, which potentially affect the pH of the human body. If the pH level decreases, the body becomes a more acidic environment. When the pH balance rises, the body becomes more alkaline. The human body functions optimally in a slightly alkaline state, at a pH of 7.4. If you are trying to correct an overly alkaline pH, use caution when using low pH foods to achieve a more neutral state.

Low PH

Metabolic acidosis occurs when the pH level becomes lower than optimal. A higher level of consumption of acid-forming foods may contribute to health conditions including osteoporosis, hypertension, headaches, suppressed immunity, digestive problems, increased yeast production, dental cavities, colds and allergies. "Experimental Cell Research" published in October 2010 the results of a study by C. H. Chen and colleagues, who found an acidic environment can contribute to cancer growth and metastasis.

Dairy Foods

Low pH foods include dairy products such as milk, cream, butter, yogurt, sour cream, cheese and ice cream. Alkaline minerals, such as calcium, buffer the acidic effects of these foods. As the intake of calcium-rich dairy foods increases, so does the need to use calcium from other sources to buffer the effects of such acid-forming foods. Sources of calcium that do not lower pH include sesame seeds and dark-green vegetables including broccoli, spinach and collard greens.

Meats

The protein found in beef, pork, chicken, turkey and fish contains sulfur-rich amino acids. As the body breaks down these amino acids, they produce acid-forming sulfate ions, creating a pH-lowering effect.

Sugary Foods and Drinks

Sugar-laden sodas, sports drinks, fruit drinks, sweetened coffee drinks, desserts, pastries, candy, cookies and sweetened breakfast cereals, low in nutrients and highly acidic, all lower pH.

Coffee and Alcohol

Drinking coffee -- and beverages made with coffee -- or alcoholic beverages including beer, wine and liquor contributes to creating a more acidic environment in the body. While you can safely consume them in small amounts, guard against metabolic acidosis by balancing their intake with more alkalizing foods.

Alkalizing Foods

Nearly all fruits and vegetables increase pH. They contain alkalizing minerals including calcium and potassium. Though some of these foods are acidic when you ingest them, by the time the body has broken them down, they have an alkalizing effect. Miso, sea vegetables, soybeans and tofu also help create an alkaline body environment. PH-buffering foods tend to be very high in fiber and cancer-fighting antioxidants. Increasing your intake of antioxidant-rich, alkalizing foods will help to buffer the effects of acidic foods.