We often hear that we should have an alkaline diet but what does that mean?  Our blood has a normal pH of 7.35-7.45, which is slightly alkaline.  When our diet is alkaline, it helps our blood stay within a normal pH.  When our diet is acidic, it promotes an acidic pH, which in turn promotes to loss of nutrients as our body tries to restore equilibrium.

Acidic and alkaline foods are labeled so because of their net effect on our systemic pH.  The net effect of foods can be neutral, acidic or alkaline, depending on the mineral content of the food.  An acid forming food contributes hydrogen ions to the body, making it more acidic.  An alkalizing food removes hydrogen ions from the body, making it more alkaline.  Acidic tasting foods can be alkalizing, such as citrus fruits, because of the minerals they leave behind after digestion.  And acid forming foods are not intrinsically ‘bad’, but when our diet is excessively acidic, it causes health problems.  The typical western diet tends to be more acid producing because of our reliance on grains, meat, cheese and milk.

Foods high in animal proteins, processed junk foods are acid-forming.  Alkalizing foods include spinach, soy beans, raisins, carrots and most citrus.  An acidifying diet can promote or exacerbate many chronic diseases.  Because an acidic pH forces the body to neutralize the acid and remove it from the body and this process uses essential minerals that are needed in many biochemical pathways in the body.

Here is chart that defines where foods fall in the pH spectrum.  Use this to help you keep your diet alkaline most of the time!