pH Balance: What Is pH?

PH Balance

What Does pH Stand For?

pH stands for "potential hydrogen". Substances are classified as a base (alkaline) or an acid based upon the concentration of hydrogen ions that particular substance has. The "H" in pH represents the level of hydrogen ion present in a solution.

PH Scale

What is the pH scale?

The pH scale is a measurement system that measures the acidity or the baseness of a given substance. It ranges from 0 to 14. Acidic substances measure 0-6, neutral solutions measure at 7, and alkaline/base solutions measure between 8-14.

What is the basis for the pH scale?

Pure water functions as a mid-point (7) on the pH scale - because it is neither acid nor alkaline. Any solution with levels of hydrogen ions greater than the amount found in pure water is acidic while any solution with hydrogen ion levels lower than that of pure water is considered base/alkaline.

What pH level is best for humans?

Some say a neutral pH is best, but many holistic nutritionist agree that consuming a very high percentage of alkaline foods (80%) is best. The over consumption of acidic foods has been shown to be the cause of countless ailments and life threatening diseases including diabetes, heart disease, liver and kidney disease, prostate cancer, fibroids, etc. While eating large of amounts of alkalizing foods has been linked to good health.

*NOTE!!!

The following list classifies foods according to the effect they have on the body, NOT the pH levels of the food itself. For instance, lemons themselves are high in citric acid, but they have an alkalizing effect on the body - post consumption.

LIST OF ALKALINE FOODS

ALKALIZING VEGETABLES

Alfalfa

Barley Grass

Beet Greens

Beets

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

Peas

Peppers

Pumpkin

Radishes

Rutabaga

Sea Veggies

Spinach

Spirulina

Sprouts

Sweet Potatoes

Tomatoes

Watercress

Wheat Grass

Wild Greens

ALKALIZING ORIENTAL VEGETABLES

Daikon

Dandelion

Root

Kombu

Maitake

Nori

Reishi

Shitake

Umeboshi

Wakame

ALKALIZING FRUITS

Apple

Apricot

Avocado

Banana (high glycemic)

Berries

Blackberries

Cantaloupe

Cherries

Coconut

Currants

Dates

Figs

Grapes

Grapefruit

Honeydew Melon

Lemon

Lime

Muskmelons

Nectarine

Orange

Peach

Pear

Pineapple

Raisins

Raspberries

Rhubarb

Strawberries

Tangerine

Tomato

Tropical

Fruits

Umeboshi

Plums

Watermelon

ALKALIZING PROTEIN

Almonds

Chestnuts

Millet

Tempeh (fermented)

Tofu (fermented)

Whey Protein Powder

ALKALIZING SWEETENERS

Stevia

ALKALIZING SPICES & SEASONINGS

Chili Pepper

Cinnamon

Curry

Ginger

Herbs (all)

Miso

Mustard

Sea Salt

Tamari

ALKALIZING OTHER

Alkaline Antioxidant Water

Apple Cider Vinegar

Bee Pollen

Fresh Fruit Juice

Green Juices

Mineral Water

Molasses (blackstrap)

Probiotic Cultures

Veggie Juices

LIST OF ACID FOODS

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

oat Bran

wheat Bread

Corn

Cornstarch

Crackers

soda Flour

wheat Flour

white Hemp Seed Flour

Kamut

Macaroni Noodles

Oatmeal

Oats (rolled)

Quinoa

Rice (all)

Rye

Spaghetti

Spelt

Wheat Germ

Wheat

ACIDIFYING BEANS & LEGUMES

Almond Milk

Black Beans

Chick Peas

Green Peas

Kidney Beans

Lentils

Pinto Beans

Red Beans

Rice Milk

Soy Beans

Soy Milk

White Beans

ACIDIFYING DAIRY

Butter

Cheese

Ice Cream

Ice Milk

ACIDIFYING NUTS & BUTTERS

Cashews

Legumes

Peanut Butter

Peanuts

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

Shellfish

Shrimp

Tuna

Turkey

Veal

Venison

ACIDIFYING FATS & OILS

Avocado

Oil Butter

Canola Oil

Corn Oil

Flax Oil

Hemp Seed Oil

Lard

Olive Oil

Safflower Oil

Sesame Oil

Sunflower Oil

ACIDIFYING SWEETENERS

Carob

Corn Syrup

Sugar

ACIDIFYING ALCOHOL

Beer

Hard Liquor

Spirits

Wine

ACIDIFYING OTHER FOODS

Catsup

Cocoa

Coffee

Mustard

Pepper

Soft Drinks

Vinegar