Acidic foods are those that promote an increase in the level of acidity in the blood, making the body work harder to maintain the normal blood pH, weakening the immune system and increasing the risk of other diseases.
Some theories, such as those of the alkaline diet, consider that acidic foods can change the pH of the blood, making it more acidic, however, this is not possible, because the acid-base balance that the body has is essential for metabolism and cell function, so the pH of the blood must be kept in the range between 7.36 and 7.44. To maintain these values, the body has different mechanisms that help regulate the pH and compensate for any variation that may occur.
There are some diseases or conditions that can acidify the blood, and in these cases, depending on the severity, this could put the person at risk. However, it is believed that acidic foods could, within this pH range, make blood more acidic, causing the body to work harder to maintain blood pH within normal limits.
However, it is important to mention that the pH of the urine does not reflect the general state of health of the person, nor the pH of the blood, and may be influenced by other factors, other than diet.
List of acidic foods
Acidic foods that can alter the pH are:
- Grains: rice, cuscus, wheat, corn, locust beans, buckwheat, oats, rye, granola, wheat germ and foods prepared from these cereals, such as bread, pasta, crackers, cakes and french toast; Fruits: plums, cherries, blueberries, peaches, currants and canned fruits; Milk and dairy products: ice cream, yogurt, cheese, cream and whey; Eggs; Sauces: mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, tabasco, wasabi, soy sauce, vinegar; Dried fruits: Brazil nuts, peanuts, pistachios, cashews, peanuts; Seeds: sunflower, chia, flaxseed and sesame; Chocolate, white sugar, popcorn, jam, peanut butter; Fats: butter, margarine, oil, olive oil and other foods with fats; Chicken, fish and meat in general, especially processed meat such as sausage, ham, sausage and bologna. Those with less fat are also less acidic; Shellfish: mussels, oysters; Legumes: beans, lentils, chickpeas, soybeans; Beverages: soft drinks, industrialized juices, vinegar, wine and alcoholic beverages.
How to include acidic foods in the diet
According to the alkaline diet, acidic foods can be included in the diet, however, they must comprise between 20 to 40% of the diet, and the remaining 20 to 80% of the foods must be alkaline. When including acidic foods, one should prefer those that are natural and poorly processed, such as beans, lentils, nuts, cheese, yogurt or milk, as they are necessary for the body, while sugars and white flours should be avoided.
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and natural foods, contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that allow the body to easily regulate the pH of the blood, keeping it closer to the alkaline pH, favoring the immune system and preventing the appearance of diseases.
