With alkaline diets on the rise and the prevalence of acid reflux, many people avoid acidic foods.However, there’s a difference between acid-forming foods and foods with an acidic pH. Acid-forming foods are those that promote acidity in your body. Conversely, not all foods with a low (or acidic) pH promote an acidic environment in your body.
If this sounds confusing, don’t worry. This article outlines the differences between acid-forming foods and those with an acidic pH, as well as the reasons why some people avoid these foods.
Here are 6 acidic foods, explained.
1. Soft drinks
Soft drinks are loaded with phosphoric acid, which is a major contributor to the acid load of Western diets (11Trusted Source).
Excess phosphorus, especially in the form of highly absorbable phosphoric acid, has been linked to adverse health effects.
What’s more, soda intake is tied to kidney issues, decreased bone mineral density, and prediabetes, which may be partly due to soda’s dietary acid load (11Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source, 13Trusted Source, 14Trusted Source).
2. Red meat and other animal proteins
Red meat and processed meat are among the most prevalent acid-producing foods in the Western diet. Red meat is high in protein and phosphorus, and thus increases dietary acid load (9Trusted Source).
Other animal proteins like chicken and eggsfurther contribute to a high dietary acid load (15Trusted Source).
3. Processed grains
Western diets are typically high in refined grain products like baked goods, fast food, and white bread, which have a high dietary acid load (16Trusted Source).
Replacing refined grains with fruits, vegetables, and other alkaline foods may help reduce dietary acid load (4Trusted Source).
4. Cheese and dairy products
Although dairy products like cheese and unsweetened yogurt are nutritious, a diet high in these products and low in plant foods may contribute to a high dietary acid load.
Dairy is a concentrated source of potentially acid-forming compounds, including sulfur-containing amino acids, chloride, and phosphorus (8Trusted Source).
5. Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits, including lemons, limes, grapefruit, and oranges, have an acidic pH and are known to exacerbate GERD symptoms (19Trusted Source).
Citrus fruits are considered reflexogenic, meaning that they cause or worsen reflux. As such, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) recommend that people with GERD avoid or reduce their intake of citrus fruits (19Trusted Source, 20, 21).
However, you shouldn’t cut citrus fruits from your diet unless they worsen reflux symptoms. These foods are loaded with beneficial nutrients and are associated with numerous health benefits (22Trusted Source
