According to Weill Cornell Medical College, “limiting the acid load in your diet may help prevent sarcopenia, a loss of muscle mass and function that raises the risks of fracture, injury, and disability in older adults.” (From article published in December 2012 in Osteoporosis International)
In essence, altering the diet to contain more alkaline foods than acidic foods, may aid in bone and muscle health. Additionally, highly acidic diets are linked to a nearly 70% increased chance of women developing type II diabetes mellitus.
Surprisingly those foods commonly thought to be acidic, such as citrus fruits, actually are considered alkaline foods because of the metabolic reactions that take place in the body upon consumption. Foods highest in acid content include dairy, meat, poultry, fish, most grains, processed foods, alcohol, and caffeine, while alkaline foods include fresh fruits, vegetables, tofu, almonds, herbs, spices, and mineral water. Ideally, a healthy, balanced diet consists of two parts alkaline to one part acidic.
Acid-Forming Foods:
- Artificial Sweeteners
- Blueberries
- Cranberries
- Chocolate
- Peanuts
- White flour
- Pasta
- Beef
- Cheese
- Soda
- White Sugar
- Rhubarb
- Navy beans
- Pecans
- Cashews
- White rice
- Corn
- Turkey
- Chicken
- Alcohol
- Molasses
- Plums
- Kidney beans
- Sunflower seeds
- Corn oil
- Spelt
- Brown rice
- Cold-Water Fish
- Eggs
- Coffee/tea
Alkaline-Forming Foods
- Raw honey
- Oranges
- Bananas
- Pineapple
- Carrots
- Tomatoes
- Chestnuts
- Potatoes with skins
- Soy cheese
- Ginger tea
- Maple syrup
- Dates
- Melons
- Grapes
- Almonds
- Kiwi
- Green beans
- Sweet potatoes
- Flax seed oil
- Green tea
- Stevia
- Lemons
- Watermelon
- Grapefruit
- Mangoes
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Garlic/onions
- Olive oil
- Lemon water
“How the Acid Load in Your Diet Can Affect Your Health.” Women’s Nutrition Connection: Vol. 17, No. 7. Weill Cornell Medical College. July 2014.
