Do you often experience sleepless nights due to heartburn? Do you always feel a burning sensation in your gut every day? Are you unable to adjust to various, small changes in your diet? Do you always prefer spiceless and bland foods? If your answer to these questions is “Yes!” then you are on the right page. Consuming various foods that produce high levels of acid in the stomach may lead to the aforementioned symptoms. In this article, we are going to discuss the different acidic foods to avoid. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the read!
Acidic Foods: What are They?
Foods that possess a pH level of 4.5 or less and have a tendency to cause more acidity in the stomach are what we call “acidic foods.” Put simply, all foods have a pH value and are labeled as “basic” or “acidic.”
Chemically speaking, the pH value of a particular compound may tell you the number of hydrogen molecules it possesses. On a 1-14 scale, all of the compounds that have a pH level of less than 7 are considered acidic. Since water is neutral, it has a pH level of 7. All the compounds that are above 7 are basic, or alkaline, foods.
To sum it up, the lower the pH level, the higher the acidity level.
Even just tiny changes in the pH level of your body may cause a huge impact on your health. Alkalosis, caused by a high level of pH, may cause various symptoms, including nausea, muscle twitching, and confusion. On the other hand, acidosis may result in fatigue, headaches, and shallow breathing.
Luckily, the kidneys do most of the work in controlling the pH level of the body. They do this by maintaining the electrolyte levels and reabsorbing or excreting the alkaline and acidic ions via the urine. Nevertheless, eating a diet that is high in alkaline foods may come with various benefits.
In addition, limiting the intake of acidic foods may also help in preserving bone density, reduce the symptoms of acid reflux, and preventing the formation of kidney stones.
Acidic Foods to Avoid
In contrast to popular belief, a lot of fruits and vegetables may trigger high acid production and may cause acidity in the body. Below is a list of the acidic foods to avoid.
| Fruits & veggies | Meat | Dairy products |
| Lime (pH level: 2.0) | Sausages (pH level: 3.3) | Buttermilk (pH level: 4.4) |
| Cranberry juice (pH level: 2.5) | Shellfish (pH level: 3.3) | Cheese (pH level: 4.5) |
| Orange (pH level: 3.7) | Pork (pH level: 3.8) | Sour cream (pH level: 4.5) |
| Apple (pH level: 3.75) | Fish (pH level: 4.0) | Cottage cheese (pH level: 4.7) |
| Pineapple (pH level: 3.9) | Lobster (pH level: 4.3) | Whey (pH level: 5.0) |
| Strawberries (pH level: 3.9) | Lamb (pH level: 4.5) | Ice cream (pH level: 4.8-5.5) |
| Tomatoes (pH level: 3.4-4.7) | Beef (pH level: 5.0) | Drinks |
| Green olives (pH level: 4.2) | Bacon (pH level: 5.5) | Carbonated soft drinks (pH level: 2.2) |
| Peach (pH level: 4.2) | Nuts | Coffee (pH level: 4.0) |
| Mango (pH level: 4.6) | Peanuts (pH level: 3.8) | Pasteurized juices (pH level: 4.0) |
| Dates (pH level: 5.4) | Cashews (pH level: 4.0) | Energy drinks (pH level: 4.1) |
| Sauces | Pistachios (pH level: 4.4) | Vegetable juice (pH level: 4.2) |
| Vinegar (pH level: 3.0) | Pecans (pH level: 4.5) | Alcohol (pH level: 4.3) |
| Pickles (pH level: 3.2) | Sweeteners | Oils (pH level: 3.0-5.0) |
| Mayonnaise (pH level: 3.8-4.2) | Honey (pH level: 4.0) | Cooked oil |
| Mustard (pH level: 4.0) | Sugar (pH level: 5.0) | Solid oil (margarine) |
| Soy sauce (pH level: 5.0) | Artificial sweeteners (pH level: 3.0) | |
| Corn syrup (pH level: 3.8) |
What may happen if you eat acidic foods?
Everything that you eat must come in contact with the gastric juice in the stomach. This particular gastric juice is very acidic and has a pH level of about 1.5-3.5.
The body has its own mechanism of strictly controlling the pH levels in the gut, as well as the levels of gastric juice in the stomach. When the pH level in your stomach is already acidic, and then you eat acidic foods, it may result in a cumulative effect that may lower the pH levels in your gut even more. It’s much like adding fuel to a fire.
When there is too much acid being generated all at once, there may be an increase in the risk of the following conditions:
- Kidney stones
- Bone conditions
- Tooth decay
- GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
One way to prevent these conditions from arising is by reducing the consumption of the acid foods listed in the table above.
Substitute for Acidic Foods
Here are some easily available alkaline foods that you may consume:
