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Good & Bad of Acidic Foods
Acidic foods have a potential hydrogen, or pH, score of 6.9 or below. After you eat them, your stomach releases hydrochloric acid -- an ultra-acidic substance necessary for their digestion. Contrary to popular belief, acidic foods do not directly raise the acidity of your blood, stomach or entire body, according to Health Services at Columbia University in New York. Although many acidic foods are nutritious, they cause problems for some people.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Antioxidants
In general, fruits are the most acidic foods. Particularly acidic varieties, such as:
- citrus fruits
- tomatoes
- blueberries
- grapes
- apricots
- are also top sources of antioxidants
Citrus fruits, blueberries and tomatoes provide rich amounts of the antioxidant vitamin C, which plays an important role in your immune system, wound healing and collagen production. Beta-carotene, which is an A-vitamin present in apricots, helps to regulate your immune system and promotes healthy surface linings of your eyes and respiratory, digestive and urinary tracts. Tomatoes and tomato products are prime sources of lycopene -- an antioxidant associated with a reduced risk for heart disease and prostate cancer, according to the Linus Pauling Institute 1.
- In general, fruits are the most acidic foods.
- Beta-carotene, which is an A-vitamin present in apricots, helps to regulate your immune system and promotes healthy surface linings of your eyes and respiratory, digestive and urinary tracts.
Fiber
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Whole grains, fruits and vegetables are top sources of fiber -- an indigestible form of carbohydrate that promotes digestive function, appetite control and positive cholesterol levels. Although not as low-ranking in pH as fruits, whole grain foods, such as:
- brown rice
- wild rice
- whole wheat bread
- wheat-based cereals
- are acidic
Acid Reflux
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease is a chronic condition characterized by frequent acid reflux, which happens when stomach contents move back up into your esophagus after eating. If you have GERD, your doctor may suggest avoiding acidic foods, according to Columbia University. When highly acidic foods are among your stomach contents, they may increase the burning sensation associated with reflux when they come into contact with your esophagus.If you are prone to acid reflux, limit particularly acidic foods and beverages, such as:
- bananas
- papaya
- melon
Tooth Erosion
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Another downside of acidic foods involves your teeth. Acidic fruits, juices and soft drinks contain natural acids that can wear away at tooth enamel. As this protective outer layer erodes, the inner parts of your teeth become exposed, increasing your risk for pain and sensitivity. If your teeth are sensitive to acidic foods, the British Dental Association recommends limiting acidic foods to meals only, avoiding regular and diet soft drinks and ending your meals with milk or cheese, which helps neutralize the acid 2.
- Another downside of acidic foods involves your teeth.
- If your teeth are sensitive to acidic foods, the British Dental Association recommends limiting acidic foods to meals only, avoiding regular and diet soft drinks and ending your meals with milk or cheese, which helps neutralize the acid 2.
Related Articles
References
- Linus Pauling Institute: Lycopene
- British Dental Association: Dental Erosion
- The Alkaline Diet: Is There Evidence That an Alkaline pH Diet Benefits Health?
- Higher estimates of daily dietary net endogenous acid production (NEAP) in the elderly as compared to the young in a healthy, free-living elderly population of Pakistan
- Effects of Dietary Acid Load on Exercise Metabolism and Anaerobic Exercise Performance
- Dietary acid load: A novel nutritional target in chronic kidney disease?
- Alkaline Diet and Metabolic Acidosis: Practical Approaches to the Nutritional Management of Chronic Kidney Disease - PubMed
- Associations between Dietary Acid-Base Load and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Adults: The Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study
- Association between dietary acid load and the risk of cardiovascular disease: nationwide surveys (KNHANES 2008–2011)
- Higher dietary acid load potentially increases serum triglyceride and obesity prevalence in adults: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis
- Higher dietary acid load potentially increases serum triglyceride and obesity prevalence in adults: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis
- Associations between Dietary Acid Load and Biomarkers of Inflammation and Hyperglycemia in Breast Cancer Survivors
- Hemoglobin A1c Levels Modify Associations between Dietary Acid Load and Breast Cancer Recurrence - PubMed
- Diet Soda Consumption and Risk of Incident End Stage Renal Disease
- Diet Soda Consumption and Risk of Incident End Stage Renal Disease
- The dietary acid load is higher in subjects with prediabetes who are at greater risk of diabetes: a case–control study
- Soda and Other Beverages and the Risk of Kidney Stones
- High Consumption of Soft Drinks Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Fracture: A 7-Year Follow-Up Study
- Associations between Dietary Acid Load and Biomarkers of Inflammation and Hyperglycemia in Breast Cancer Survivors
- Dietary acid load is associated with lower bone mineral density in men with low intake of dietary calcium
- Dietary Acid Load: mechanisms and evidence of its health repercussions - PubMed
- Dietary acid load: A novel nutritional target in chronic kidney disease?
- Dietary acid load: A novel nutritional target in chronic kidney disease?
- Higher dietary acid load potentially increases serum triglyceride and obesity prevalence in adults: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
- Are Diet and Micronutrients Effective in Treating Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Especially in Women?
- Dietary guideline adherence for gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Dietary guideline adherence for gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Dietary guideline adherence for gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms and Nutritional Preferences: Studies on Ethno-Medicine: Vol 9, No 3
- Development of scores assessing the refluxogenic potential of diet of patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux | SpringerLink
- Citrus fruits as a treasure trove of active natural metabolites that potentially provide benefits for human health - PubMed
- Dietary guideline adherence for gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Dietary guideline adherence for gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Don't eat tomatoes: patient's self-reported experiences of causes of symptoms in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease - PubMed
- Lycopene Quantity and Sources in the Diet of Healthy Young People
- Dietary acid load: A novel nutritional target in chronic kidney disease?
- Alkaline Diet and Metabolic Acidosis: Practical Approaches to the Nutritional Management of Chronic Kidney Disease - PubMed
- Associations between Dietary Acid-Base Load and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Adults: The Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study
- Association between dietary acid load and the risk of cardiovascular disease: nationwide surveys (KNHANES 2008–2011)
- Higher dietary acid load potentially increases serum triglyceride and obesity prevalence in adults: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Writer Bio
August McLaughlin is a certified nutritionist and health writer with more than nine years of professional experience. Her work has been featured in various magazines such as "Healthy Aging," "CitySmart," "IAmThatGirl" and "ULM." She holds specializations in eating disorders, healthy weight management and sports nutrition. She is currently completing her second cookbook and Weight Limit—a series of body image/nutrition-related PSAs.