Alkaline Foods vs Acidic Foods – Chart

There is a lot of interest about the alkaline foods vs acidic foods, because the thought is consuming too much acidic food supports the development of illness. The reason behind this thought centers around research indicating that the normal pH of blood should be around 7.45. This level is slightly alkaline, which supports the idea that it is better to eat food that is alkaline.

The Blood Should Be Slightly Alkaline

PH stands for “potential hydrogen” and is the ability of molecules to attract hydrogen ions. The scale for the pH measurement ranges from 0 to 14, and 0 represents the highest acidic level and 14 represents the highest alkaline level.

The body has to maintain pH around 7.45, or it can go into shock. When you consume too much acidic food the body then uses its buffering system to put alkaline material into the bloodstream. After you overwhelm the buffering system your body will strip alkaline material from other areas of the body to put into the bloodstream. For instance, it will strip calcium from the bones to maintain proper pH in the blood.

More: Dr. Sebi Nutritional Guide »

Acidosis and Alkalosis

When the body’s pH level is too acidic, acidosis can set in. When the body is too alkaline, alkalosis can set in. Most people who have an unbalanced pH are acidic, while being too alkaline is very rare. There are two types of acidosis: Respiratory acidosis which develops when there is too much carbon dioxide in the body, and metabolic acidosis which occurs when the body produces too much acid or when the kidneys are not able to remove enough acid from the body.

What Determines Alkaline Foods vs Acidic Foods

The body digests food and breaks it down to its base components. The pH of this residue determines alkaline foods vs acidic foods.

For instance, alkaline foods may contain higher amounts of potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron compounds, and have an alkaline pH. Acidic foods may contain higher amounts of sulphur, phosphorus, and chlorine and have an acidic pH.

Alkaline foods and acidic foods both have alkaline and acidic properties, but alkaline foods will have more alkaline properties than acidic properties. Acidic foods will have more acidic properties. The body is made up of both alkaline an acidic properties and needs both to function properly.

The body works to maintain a ratio that supports the 7.45 pH of the blood.

Eat More Alkaline Foods To Reduce Acid Levels In The Body

The American diet consists largely of acidic foods such as meat, eggs, dairy, soda, sugar, and coffee. We can reduce acid by eating more alkaline plant foods on the Dr. Sebi nutritional guide.

This may seem too simple of a way to strengthen the immune system and fight off disease, but it is this simple. Vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, grains, and legumes should be the main part of the meal.

Alkaline Foods vs Acidic Foods – Chart

References:
PubMed Health: Osteoporosis
The New York Times: Acidosis
Wikipedia: Metabolic acidosis
Altic Health Prevention: Acidosis