Sometimes even ordinary foods that you consume regularly can create problems. A piece of cheese, your favorite black tea, or a harmless-looking tomato can hurt your stomach. That happens due to the high acidity of some foods. Such foods lead to acid reflux, heartburn, or some other discomfort.
That is why it is very important to know the acidic foods that create health issues for you and disrupt your daily routine and best life experiences.
Defining Acidity
Every substance has a pH value. If the pH is less than 7, then the substance is acidic. A pH of 14 means a basic level of acidity, implying that the substance is alkaline. A pH of 7 is neutral like water, and 0 pH means that it is highly acidic.
Ideally, the blood needs to have a pH around 7.35 to 7.45. This is slightly alkaline. The pH inside our stomach is highly acidic, which is almost 3.5 to 5.5. This helps to quickly break down the food and understand each food item.
Negative Impact of Acidic Foods
Continuous disruption in the acid-base balance results in chronic metabolic acidosis. This high acidity causes serious diseases and should not be taken lightly.
Acidic foods also affect the pH of the urine. If you consume more carbonated drinks and animal proteins, in some cases, it leads to the production of uric acid stones which form in the kidneys. Some carbonated drinks contain phosphoric acid, which is frequently linked with lower bone density and highly acidic dark sodas result in bone density problems when replaced with high protein drinks.
Citrus Fruits and Juices
If you want to prevent heartburn, you should steer clear of citrus fruits. Grapefruit and orange juices are some things that cause discomfort. The pH of lemons is 2.2 to 2.4, grapefruit is 3.0 to 3.7, and orange is 3.0 to 4.0.
Consider watching this video to know more about what is acidity…
Spicy Food and Caffeinated Beverages
Spicy food and sauces are responsible for triggering the irritation of the esophagus lining and result in discomfort. If you eat more spicy things, it causes heartburn. You should avoid spicy foods if you have stomach issues. To enhance your information, the pH of chili sauce is 2.8 to 3.7.
Caffeinated beverages like energy drinks, tea, and coffee lead to acid reflux and heartburn by weakening the lower esophageal sphincter or irritating the esophagus. As a result, stomach contents flow backward in the food pipe.
The pH of energy drinks is 3.4, green tea is 7 to 10, black tea is 4.9 to 5.5, and coffee is 4.
Other High Acid Foods and Drinks
Our body regulates the pH by numerous mechanisms involving organs like the lungs and the kidneys.
Some people limit the foods that have high acidic content to decrease their potential renal acid load. This is the amount of acid that the body creates from the foods you consume. Acidic foods usually have a pH lower than 4.6. Examples of acidic foods that you can avoid are high protein foods and supplements having animal protein. Carbonated drinks like soda, starchy foods like granola, oat flakes, or brown rice are also acidic. Processed meats and fresh meats like corned beef, high-sodium processed foods, fish and seafood, and dairy products like cheese also fall into the category of acidic foods.
Until Next Time,
Team Doctor ASKY!