A food is classified as either acid- or alkaline-forming based on the pH of the compounds it produces when metabolized. Acid-forming foods generate acidic waste products that a complex set of buffering systems must remove to preserve your body’s natural state of alkalinity. Alkaline-forming foods contribute alkalizing compounds that are used to buffer acidic waste for removal or stored for later use. While it’s possible for your long-term dietary choices to cause an acid-base imbalance in your body, such an imbalance is highly unlikely to result from the regular consumption of alkaline-forming foods, according to the “Acid Alkaline Food Guide.”
Acid-Base Balance
Healthy arterial blood has a narrow, slightly alkaline pH range of 7.35 to 7.45. Your body works constantly to preserve this homeostasis, typically by buffering and removing excess dietary acids and maintaining proper carbon dioxide levels in your blood. Everything you consume has a temporary and minuscule effect on your pH levels, but your body has a limited daily capacity for acid removal. Over-consuming acidifying foods can cause the storage of acidic waste in bodily tissues for later removal, effectively lowering your pH toward acidity. This condition, known as chronic metabolic acidosis, is the most common acid-base imbalance in the United States, according to the “Acid Alkaline Food Guide,” because the standard American diet emphasizes acid-forming foods such as meat, dairy products, processed foods and soft drinks.
Metabolic Alkalosis
Having higher than normal pH levels, a condition known as alkalosis, is due to low carbon dioxide levels, high bicarbonate levels or extreme loss of potassium or chloride. Metabolic alkalosis is the acid-base imbalance caused by the presence of high amounts of bicarbonate. Unlike chronic metabolic acidosis, which is often the result of a diet rich in acid-forming foods, metabolic alkalosis is rarely caused by the consumption of alkaline-forming foods. An excessive amount of bicarbonate is more typically the result of taking excessive amounts of heartburn medications, or antacids. Diuretic medications, chronic diarrhea or bouts of prolonged vomiting can also cause alkalosis. Extreme cases of either acidosis or alkalosis can lead to seizures, coma and even death.
Alkalizing Foods
Nearly all vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices are alkaline-forming in the body, as are a few grains, nuts and legumes. Highly alkaline-forming fruits include all melon varieties, avocados, lemons, limes, tangerines, mangoes, papayas, kiwis, raisins and fresh and dried figs and dates. Highly alkaline-forming vegetables include asparagus, all varieties of seaweed, parsley, watercress, cucumbers, carrots, endive, lettuce, escarole, celery, radishes, sweet potatoes and many winter squash varieties. Fresh and dried ginger is extremely alkalizing, as is cilantro, chives, garlic, cayenne pepper and sea salt. Mineral water, fresh vegetable juice and most unsweetened fruit juices are alkaline-forming; of these, vegetable juice is the most alkalizing. Of the few alkalizing grains, nuts and legumes, including almonds, lentils and quinoa, none are highly alkaline-forming.
Considerations
Because Westernized diets heavily emphasize acid-forming foods, most Americans would benefit from consuming more alkalizing fruits and vegetables. The exclusive consumption of highly alkaline-forming foods, however, can cause significant nutrient deficiencies and, consequently, be detrimental to your health. Over-consumption of sea salt can also be detrimental to your health because, even though sodium is a highly alkalizing substance, its overuse can contribute to the development of hypertension. Some highly alkalizing foods, including celery, parsley, sweet potatoes, dried figs and kiwis, are also high in oxalic acid, according to the “Encyclopedia of Healing Foods.” Those with a history of oxalate-containing kidney stones are generally told to avoid or restrict their consumption of such foods, but not because of their alkalizing nature.
References
- “Encyclopedia of Healing Foods”; Michael Murray, N.D., et al.; 2005
- “The pH Balance Diet”; Bharti Vyas, et al.; 2007
- “Acid Alkaline Food Guide”; Dr. Susan E. Brown, et al.; 2006
- “Alkalize or Die”; Dr. Theodore A. Baroody; 1991
- DrEddyClinic.com; Metabolic Acidosis; Candace McNaughton, N.D.; August 2004
- University of Connecticut Health Center; Daily Acid Load; Timur Graham; 2006
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Alkalosis
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Metabolic Acidosis
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