Is Cola An Acid Or Alkaline?

Healthy, oxygen-rich arterial blood is slightly alkaline, with a value ranging from 7.34 to 7.45 on the pH scale. Saliva, urine, gastric juices and intercellular and extracellular fluids have their own distinct, healthy pH ranges. Aside from pure water, which is neutral, all foods have either an acidifying or alkalizing effect on the body. Eating a diet of 70 to 80 percent alkaline-forming foods supports balanced pH levels and helps maintain the body's alkali reserves. A diet that emphasizes acid-forming foods can cause a buildup of metabolic acids over time, leading to a common condition known as chronic low-grade acidosis.

Acid Content

The pH scale runs from 0, or highly acidic, to 14, or highly basic. Pure water has a pH value of 7.0, which is neutral. Substances with pH values below 7.0 are considered acidic, while those with pH values above 7.0 are basic, or alkaline. High acid foods and beverages are defined as those that have pH values lower than 4.6. Diet and non-diet colas have pH values ranging from about 2.5 to 4.6, with an average pH of approximately 3.1, or highly acidic. A food’s acid content doesn’t necessarily reflect its pH nature in the body, however.

PH of Cola

Many foods naturally contain acids and have correspondingly low pH values. A food's pH nature in the body, however, is affected by the metabolic process and isn’t necessarily reflective of its acid content. Limes, for example, have a highly acidic median pH value of 1.9, but are highly alkaline-forming in the body. All regular and diet colas are highly acid-forming in the body. Nearly all soft drinks contain caffeine and phosphoric acid, both of which have an acidifying effect. The sugar cane, high fructose corn syrup and other refined sugars found in regular colas are highly acid-forming, while the artificial sweeteners in diet colas, such as saccharin and aspartame, are moderately acid-forming.

Considerations

Dentists regularly warn patients to avoid or reduce their consumption of regular cola because its high sugar content increases the risk of cavities. While diet cola doesn’t cause cavities, the acid content of both regular and diet cola damages teeth by contributing to the breakdown of tooth enamel. The pH value of healthy saliva can range from a moderately acidic 5.5 to a slightly alkaline 7.5. Regular consumption of beverages with pH values below 5.2, such as soft drinks, can erode tooth enamel over time. Drinking cola through a straw minimizes its contact with your teeth, while rinsing your mouth out with water afterward helps neutralize the acids.

Alkalizing Beverages

Other beverages that are acid-forming in the body are alcohol, coffee, cranberry juice, lemonade and fruit juices containing added sugars. Cow’s milk is slightly acid-forming, while soy and almond milk are slightly alkaline-forming. Many beverages are highly alkalizing, including unsweetened fruit juices such as grape, apple, orange, pineapple and pear juice, as well as unsweetened berry blends. Freshly extracted vegetable juices are also highly alkaline-forming. Ginger tea is another highly alkalizing drink, while most herbal and green teas are moderately alkaline-forming. Mineral water is one of the most alkalizing beverages — adding a bit of fresh lemon juice increases its alkalizing powers.