If you’re aiming to lower the pH of your body (i.e., make it more acidic, as opposed to more alkaline), it’s important to understand that while you can’t drastically change your blood pH through diet (your body tightly regulates it between 7.35-7.45), you can influence the pH of your urine and overall acid load on your system by what you eat.
? pH-Lowering (Acid-Forming) Foods
These are foods that, after metabolism, leave an acidic residue, or increase your body’s acid load:
? Animal-Based Proteins
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Red meat (beef, lamb, pork)
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Poultry (chicken, turkey)
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Fish and shellfish
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Eggs
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Organ meats
? Grains and Grain Products
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White and whole wheat bread
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Pasta
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Rice (especially white rice)
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Oats and corn
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Cereals
? Dairy Products
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Cheese
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Milk
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Yogurt
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Butter
? Nuts & Legumes (some, not all)
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Peanuts
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Walnuts
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Lentils (moderate acid-forming effect)
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Soy products (tofu, soy milk – mildly acid-forming)
? Processed and Refined Foods
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Sugary snacks
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Soda and carbonated drinks
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Processed meats
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Fast food
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Baked goods with refined sugar/flour
☕ Beverages
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Coffee (mildly acid-forming)
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Alcohol
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Black tea
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Soft drinks
? Important Notes:
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“Acid-forming” doesn’t mean the food is acidic in taste. For example, lemons are acidic but alkaline-forming after digestion.
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The PRAL score (Potential Renal Acid Load) is often used to estimate a food’s acid or base effect on the body.
? Why Lower pH?
Some medical conditions may require closer pH management, like urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or certain metabolic disorders. Always consult a doctor or dietitian before making major dietary changes for pH balance.
Would you like a chart showing acid-forming vs. alkaline-forming foods too?