Acid-forming versus Alkaline-forming foods

Remember: Eat a diet that is 80% alkaline-forming and 20% acid-forming to get the best balance in your body. Also remember: all cooked food is acid-forming. ALKALINE / ACIDIC FOOD CHARTS The charts below are provided for those trying to "adjust" their body pH through their diet. The pH scale is from 0 to 14, with numbers below 7 acidic (low on oxygen) and numbers above 7 alkaline. These charts are intended only as a general guide to alkalizing and acidifying foods. Note that there may be some discrepancies between foods included on these charts.*
ALKALIZING FOODS ACIDIFYING FOODS ALKALIZING VEGETABLES Alfalfa Barley Grass Beets Beet Greens Broccoli Cabbage Carrot Cauliflower Celery Chard Greens Chlorella Collard Greens Cucumber Dandelions Dulce Edible Flowers Eggplant Fermented Veggies Garlic Green Beans Green Peas Kale Kohlrabi Lettuce Mushrooms Mustard Greens Nightshade Veggies Onions Parsnips (high glycemic) Peas Peppers Pumpkin Radishes Rutabaga Sea Veggies Spinach, green Spirulina Sprouts Sweet Potatoes Tomatoes Watercress Wheat Grass Wild Greens ALKALIZING ORIENTAL VEGETABLES Maitake Daikon Dandelion Root Shitake Kombu Reishi Nori Umeboshi Wakame ALKALIZING FRUITS Apple Apricot Avocado Banana (high glycemic) Berries Blackberries Cantaloupe Cherries, sour Coconut, fresh Currants Dates, dried Figs, dried Grapes Grapefruit* Honeydew Melon Lemon* Lime* Muskmelons Nectarine* Orange* Peach Pear Pineapple Raisins Raspberries Rhubarb Strawberries Tangerine* Tomato Tropical Fruits Umeboshi Plums Watermelon *Although it might seem that citrus fruits would have an acidifying effect on the body, the citric acid they contain actually has an alkalinizing effect in the system. ALKALIZING PROTEIN Almonds Chestnuts Millet Tempeh (fermented) Tofu (fermented) Whey Protein Powder ALKALIZING SWEETENERS Stevia ALKALIZING SPICES & SEASONINGS Cinnamon Curry Ginger Mustard Chili Pepper Sea Salt Miso Tamari All Herbs ALKALIZING OTHER Apple Cider Vinegar Bee Pollen Lecithin Granules Molasses, blackstrap Probiotic Cultures Soured Dairy Products Green Juices Veggie Juices Fresh Fruit Juice Mineral Water Alkaline Antioxidant Water ALKALIZING MINERALS Cesium: pH 14 Potassium: pH 14 Sodium: pH 14 Calcium: pH 12 Magnesium: pH 9 ACIDIFYING VEGETABLES Corn Lentils Olives Winter Squash ACIDIFYING FRUITS Blueberries Canned or Glazed Fruits Cranberries Currants Plums** Prunes** ACIDIFYING GRAINS, GRAIN PRODUCTS Amaranth Barley Bran, wheat Bran, oat Corn Cornstarch Hemp Seed Flour Kamut Oats (rolled) Oatmeal Quinoa Rice (all) Rice Cakes Rye Spelt Wheat Wheat Germ Noodles Macaroni Spaghetti Bread Crackers, soda Flour, white Flour, wheat ACIDIFYING BEANS & LEGUMES Black Beans Chick Peas Green Peas Kidney Beans Lentils Pinto Beans Red Beans Soy Beans Soy Milk White Beans Rice Milk Almond Milk ACIDIFYING DAIRY Butter Cheese Cheese, Processed Ice Cream Ice Milk ACIDIFYING NUTS & BUTTERS Cashews Legumes Peanuts Peanut Butter Pecans Tahini Walnuts ACIDIFYING ANIMAL PROTEIN Bacon Beef Carp Clams Cod Corned Beef Fish Haddock Lamb Lobster Mussels Organ Meats Oyster Pike Pork Rabbit Salmon Sardines Sausage Scallops Shrimp Scallops Shellfish Tuna Turkey Veal Venison ACIDIFYING FATS & OILS Avacado Oil Butter Canola Oil Corn Oil Hemp Seed Oil Flax Oil Lard Olive Oil Safflower Oil Sesame Oil Sunflower Oil ACIDIFYING SWEETENERS Carob Sugar Corn Syrup ACIDIFYING ALCOHOL Beer Spirits Hard Liquor Wine ACIDIFYING OTHER FOODS Catsup Cocoa Coffee Vinegar Mustard Pepper Soft Drinks ACIDIFYING DRUGS & CHEMICALS Aspirin Chemicals Drugs, Medicinal Drugs, Psychedelic Pesticides Herbicides Tobacco ACIDIFYING JUNK FOOD Coca-Cola: pH 2 Beer: pH 2.5 Coffee: pH 4 ** These foods leave an alkaline ash but have an acidifying effect on the body. UNKNOWN FOODS There are several versions of the Acidic and Alkaline Food chart to be found in different books and on the Internet. The following foods are sometimes attributed to the Acidic side of the chart and sometimes to the Alkaline side. Remember, you don't need to adhere strictly to the Alkaline side of the chart, just make sure a good percentage of the foods you eat come from that side.* Asparagus Brazil Nuts Brussel Sprouts Buckwheat Chicken Corn Cottage Cheese Eggs Flax Seeds Green Tea Herbal Tea Honey Kombucha Lima Beans Maple Syrup Milk Nuts Organic Milk (unpasteurized) Potatoes, white Pumpkin Seeds Sauerkraut Soy Products Sprouted Seeds Squashes Sunflower Seeds Yogurt
RANKED FOOD CHART : ALKALINE TO ACIDIC EXTREMELY ALKALINE Lemons, Watermelon ALKALINE FORMING Cantaloupe, Cayenne Celery, Dates, Figs, Kelp, Limes, Mango, Melons, Papaya, Parsley, Seaweeds, Seedless Grapes, Watercress Asparagus, Fruit Juices, Grapes, Kiwifruit, Passionfruit, Pears, Pineapple, Raisins, Umeboshi Plums, Vegetable Juices MODERATELY ALKALINE Apples, Alfalfa Sprouts, Apricots, Avocados, Bananas, Currants, Dates, Figs, Garlic, Grapefruit, Grapes (less sweet), Guavas, Herbs, Lettuce, Nectarine, Peaches, Pears (less sweet), Peas, Pumpkin , Sea Salt Apples (sour), Green Beans, Beets, Bell Peppers, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carob, Cauliflower, Ginger, Grapes (sour), Lettuce (pale green), Oranges, Peaches (less sweet), Peas (less sweet), Potatoes (with skin), Pumpkin (less sweet), Raspberries, Strawberries, Squash, Sweet Corn, Turnip, Apple Cider Vinegar SLIGHLTY ALKALINE Almonds, Jerusalem Artichokes, Brussel Sprouts, Cherries, Coconut (fresh), Cucumbers, Eggplant, Honey (raw), Leeks, Mushrooms, Okra, Olives (ripe), Onions, Pickles (homemade), Radishes, Sea Salt, Spices, Tomatoes, Brown Rice Vinegar Chestnuts (dry, roasted), Egg Yolks, Essene Bread, Goat's Milk and Whey (raw), Mayonnaise (homemade), Olive Oil, Sesame Seeds (whole), Soy Beans (dry), Soy Cheese, Soy Milk, Sprouted Grains, Tofu, Tomatoes (less sweet), Nutritional Yeast NEUTRAL Butter (fresh, unsalted), Cream (fresh, raw), Cow's Milk and Whey (raw), Margine, Oils (except olive), Yogurt (plain) MODERATELY ACIDIC Bananas (green), Barley (rye), Blueberries, Bran, Butter, Cereals (unrefined), Cheeses, Crackers (unrefined rye, rice and wheat), Cranberries, Dried Beans (mung, adzuki, pinto, kidney, garbanzo), Dry Coconut, Egg Whites, Eggs Whole (cooked hard), Fructose, Goat's Milk (homogenized), Honey (pasteurized), Ketchup, Maple Syrup (unprocessed), Milk (homogenized), Molasses (unsulferd and organic), Most Nuts, Mustard, Oats (rye, organic), Olives (pickled), Pasta (whole grain), Pastry (whole grain and honey), Plums, Popcorn (with salt and/or butter), Potatoes, Prunes, Rice (basmati and brown), Seeds (pumpkin, sunflower), Soy Sauce, Wheat Bread (sprouted organic) EXTREMELY ACIDIC Artificial Sweeteners, Beef, Beer, Breads, Brown Sugar, Carbonated Soft Drinks, Cereals (refined), Chocolate, Cigarettes and Tobacco, Coffee, Cream of Wheat (unrefined), Custard (with white sugar), Deer, Drugs, Fish, Flour (white wheat), Fruit Juices with Sugar, Jams, Jellies, Lamb, Liquor, Maple Syrup (processed), Molasses (sulphured), Pasta (white), Pastries and Cakes from White Flour, Pickles (commercial), Pork, Poultry, Seafood, Sugar (white), Table Salt (refined and iodized), Tea (black), White Bread, White Vinegar (processed), Whole Wheat Foods, Wine, Yogurt (sweetened)

Neutralizing Acidosis and Bone Loss Among Mature Adults

Neutralizing Acidosis And Bone Loss Among Mature Adults
ScienceDaily
Feb. 11, 2009)

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090131124439.htm

A new study funded in part by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) suggests that neutralizing an acid-producing diet may be an important key to reducing bone breakdown, or "turnover," while aging. The study comes on the heels of several ARS-reported studies suggesting that consuming more-than-recommended amounts of calcium may not be the main answer to protecting bone.

The study was led by physician and nutrition specialist Bess Dawson-Hughes at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, Mass. ARS is a scientific research agency in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Fruits and vegetables are metabolized to bicarbonate and thus are alkali-producing. But the typical American diet is rich in protein and cereal grains that are metabolized to acid, and thus are acid-producing. With aging, such diets lead to a mild but slowly increasing metabolic "acidosis."

The researchers conducted a placebo-controlled study involving healthy male and female volunteers aged 50 or older. Key measurements were taken at the beginning and end of the intervention, which lasted three months.

A group of 78 volunteers had been provided either of two bicarbonates—potassium or sodium—along with their usual diet and exercise regimes. Key bone mineral nutrients were controlled to reduce variation in study outcomes. The bicarbonate groups consumed an amount of bicarbonate equivalent to about 9 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. This allowed the researchers to look at possible acid-neutralizing effects from an adequate, not high, alkali load.

The results showed that the 78 volunteers in the bicarbonate groups had significant reductions in biomarkers that are associated with bone loss and fracture than the 84 in the no-bicarbonate, or control, group.

The authors concluded that increasing the alkali content of the diet, for example by consuming more fruits and vegetables, merits further study as a safe and low-cost approach to improving skeletal health in older men and women.

The research was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Adapted from materials provided by USDA/Agricultural Research Service
http://www.ars.usda.gov/main/main.htm

Acidic diets cause bone loss; alkaline diet protects calcium in bones

Acidic Diets Cause Bone Loss; Alkaline Diet Protect Calcium in Bones

To read the article: click here

New research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism reveals that an acidic diet based on proteins, cereals and phosphoric acid (in sodas) directly results in the loss of bone mineralization. At the same time, a diet high in alkalize substances (vegetables, fruits, minerals, etc.) protects bones from calcium loss.

The study used bicarbonate, a simple alkaline mineral, to test the theory of whether the dietary intake of alkaline substances would reduce bone loss of calcium. The verdict? Absolutely, it does. As the study author explained, "Our study found that bicarbonate had a favorable effect on bone resorption and calcium excretion. This suggests that increasing the alkali content of the diet may attenuate bone loss in healthy older adults."

In plain language, it means that eating a more alkaline diet reduces the risk of bone loss, and it almost certainly also decreases the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures at the same time (since "osteoporosis" is just a fancy name for "fragile bones").

Interestingly what the study did NOT speculate on was the rate of bone loss caused by highly acidic dietary substances such as phosphoric acid (found in sodas).

It would be fascinating to see this study repeated with alkaline water, as consumers can make their own alkaline water at home, right now, using various water alkalizing machines.

One company I know of that makes an outstanding Chanson water alkalizer is: www.HealingWaterMachines.com

alkali/acid forming foods - a vital list

ALKALI FORMING FOODS
Vegetables
Alfalfa
Alfalfa grass
Alfalfa sprouts
Artichokes
Asparagus (green
tips)
Bamboo shoots
Beans
Beets
Beet tops
Bell Peppers
Broccoli
Cabbage (white)
Carrot tops
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Chayote
Chicory
Chives
Collards
Cucumbers
Dandelions
Dills
Endives
Garlic
Greens (leafy)
Horseradish
Jerusalem artichoke
Kale
Kelp
Leek
Lettuce
Okra
Olives (ripe/black)
Onion
Oyster plant
Parsley
Parsnips
Peas (fresh)
Pumpkin
Radish
Rutabagas
Spinach
Sprouts (all)
Summer squash
Swiss chard
Turnips
Watercress
Wheat grass
Zucchini
Fruits
Avocado
Banana (unripe)
Grapefruit (sour)
Lemon/Lime
Tomatoes
Grains/Legumes
Buckwheat
Millet
Spelt Lentils
Lima beans
White beans
Beverages
Fresh coconut water
Distilled water
Fats/Oils
Olive oil
Flaxseed oil
Dairy Products
Goat milk
Goat cheese
Breads/Flours
Sprouted bread
Spelt bread
Quinoa
Spelt Pasta
Nuts & Seeds
Almonds
Cumin seeds
Fennel seeds
Sesame


Acid Forming Foods
Meat/Poultry/Seafood
Beef
Chicken
Clams
Crab
Duck
Fish
Goose
Lamb
Lobster
Oysters
Pork
Shellfish
Turkey
Veal
Condiments/Dressings
Jams
Ketchup Mayonnaise
Mustard
Soy sauce
Vinegar
Breads/Flours
Cereals
Corn (processed)
Corn meals
Cornstarch
Pasta (all, except
Vegetable pasta and
Spelt pasta)
Rye bread
Rye flour
White biscuit
White bread
Whole grain bread
Whole meal bread
Fats
Butter
Canola oil
Corn oil
Margarine/Vegetable oil
Sunflower oil
Dairy Products
Butter
Cheeses
Eggs & egg products
Milk
Beverages
Wine
Beer
Liquor
Coffee
Processed juices
Soda drinks
Sport drinks
Black tea
Fruits/Vegetables
Preserved fruits
Preserved
vegetables
Canned fruits
Canned,
Artificially dried,
roasted,
sweetened
Glazed fruits
Jellied fruits
Processed veggies
White tips
Asparagus
Canned olives
Pickled vegetables
Nuts/Seeds
Cashews
Peanuts
Roasted nuts
Salted nuts
Walnuts
Grains/Legumes
Brown rice
Wheat
White rice
Sweets
Artificial sweeteners
Barley malt sugar
Molasses
Pies
Sugar, refined cane
Beet sugar
Cakes
Chocolate
Cookies
Doughnuts
Honey

alkaline foods simplified

source: http://www.thebestofrawfood.com/Raw-Food-blog.html#Alkaline-Foods-Simplified

Alkaline foods are important for your health. Ideally you'll include many in your diet. So, what are these alkaline foods? And you look for analkaline food list. But what do you find? All lists are different ! It seems very complicated, but actually, it's very simple:

Simply put, alkaline foods are:

• Green leafy vegetables (i.e kale, spinach;
• Herbs (i.e. parsley, garlic);
• Sea vegetables (seaweed, blue green algae);
• Certain superfoods & supplements (green powders, calcium, magnesium);
• Some fruits (coconut, lemon).

All other foods are acid forming or neutral. Thus meat, fish, grains (rice, wheat), nuts, seeds and most fruits.

Try these alkaline recipes for health.