Low Acidic Foods

As we all know, the pH value of any liquid gives a general idea about the alkalinity or acidity of any solution or substance. Our human blood also has a pH value that is around 7.45. A pH scale reading from 1 to 7 denotes the acidic nature of solution, whereas reading above 7 is regarded as alkaline. As the pH value of blood dips consistently below 7, it gets more and more acidic. Blood becoming excessively acidic is a cause for concern as it can trigger a wide range of health problems. In order to reduce blood acid levels, a modified diet that focuses more on eating low acidic foods is recommended. The acidic content of certain foods is very less and so they are referred to as foods with low acidity. The pH scale reading of these foods always fall above 7. On the other hand, the pH value of high acid foods is below 7.

Foods With Low Acidity

Vegetables
Although all vegetables have low acidic levels, they have to be cooked in a proper way so as to qualify them as low acidic foods. For instance, one should use minimum amount of oil while cooking vegetables. No wonder, steamed, baked or boiled vegetables are an integral part of a low acid diet. Information about foodstuffs that can be included in low acidic diet are given below:

Fruits
The fruits mentioned below are not only less acidic but also good sources of essential vitamins and minerals. So, those looking for fruits that won't allow the blood to turn more acidic are given below:

• Raisins
• Prunes
• Bananas
• Apples
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Prunes
• Papayas
• Pears

There is no doubt that fresh fruits like apples can form an integral part of a low acid diet but many people ask can dried fruits be regarded as low acidic foods or will they disturb the acid-alkaline balance of the blood? Well, the good news is that dried fruits does not make the blood too acidic, which means that those suffering from acidity problems can certainly include them in their diet.

It is a known fact that citrus fruits like oranges and lemons are highly acidic as they contain a high amount of citric acid. But still, dietitians consider them as low acid forming foods. Why? Simply because, they no longer behave like acidic foods upon consumption. The breakdown of these citrus fruits during digestion produce an alkaline residue. In other words, citrus fruits turn alkaline when they are metabolized and so it would be foolish to say that blood becomes more acidic by eating oranges or lemons. In fact, an orange or a lemon juice are often said to be one of the most alkaline beverages.

Dairy Products
Dairy products can also contribute immensely to prevent blood from becoming too acidic. A point to note that although milk is considered to be highly acidic, surprisingly dairy products are found to be low acid forming. Dairy products can definitely help to keep the acidic pH level of blood in the normal range. They are listed below:

• Skimmed milk
• Soy cheese
• Goat cheese
• Low fat butter

Nuts
A handful of almonds not only keeps you energetic throughout the day but can also ensure that acid-alkaline ratio in the blood does not deviate from the normal range. This is because almonds have low acidic levels and are in fact considered to be alkaline forming foods which is why they usually find place in an alkaline diet.

Whole Grain Foods
Looking forward to follow a low acid diet? Well, do not forget to include whole grain foods like wheat bread, whole grain pasta, brown rice and oats in the diet. The pH value of these foods is well above 7 and therefore their inclusion in the diet will not increase the blood acid levels.

On the whole, having low acidic foods on a daily basis is the best way to ensure that blood pH level always remains slightly alkaline. After all, this is the normal pH value of blood, which can always be maintained by following a diet rich in low acid foods. A point to note that one does not have to completely avoid eating high acid foods to keep a normal blood pH level. When it comes to including high acidic foods in the diet, moderation is the key to prevent blood pH value from getting too acidic.