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