What Foods Will Help Balace PH Levels in Your Body?

According to WebMD, normal blood pH levels are between 7.34 and 7.45. According to Dr. Ben Kim, most food that is processed, such as animal and grain foods, have acid-forming effects in the body, and most fruits and vegetables promote alkaline formation in the body. Dr. Kim suggests eating a mix of acidic and alkaline forming foods with a preference for food that promotes alkaline formation. According to Alkaline Body pH, a balanced diet that combines acidic and alkaline foods consists of 80 percent alkaline-forming foods and 20 percent acid-forming foods.

Alkaline Foods

Alkaline foods are foods that have promote alkaline formation in the body. Foods like lemons are acidic prior to entering the body, but have alkaline affects in the body. Alkaline foods are foods with alkaline effects after ingestion, regardless of whether they are acidic prior to entering the body.

Acidic Foods

Acidic foods lower the body's pH. Prolonged diets that have high acidic levels can wear out the body's buffer systems that regulates pH. Acid levels build up in the body if someone loses buffers or bicarbonate bases. Acidosis occurs when body fluids have too much acid. People with uncontrolled diabetes, kidney disease and severe diarrhea or dehydration may experience acidosis. Alcohol, cancer, excessive exercise, liver failure, hypoglycemia, salicylate medication and seizures can cause acidosis.

Alkaline Fruits and Vegetables

Most fruits and vegetables promote alkaline formation in the body. Fruit that promotes alkaline formation includes apples, avocado, blackberries, cherries, coconut, grapes, raspberries, strawberries and watermelon. Some alkaline-forming vegetables include broccoli, celery, lettuce, onions, peas and spinach.

Alkaline Protein

Most nuts have acidifying effects on the body, but some nuts and non-animal proteins promote alkaline formation. Nuts and other non-animal products with alkaline-forming protein include almonds, chestnuts, millet and fermented tofu.

Acidic Fruits and Vegetables

Most fruits and vegetables promote alkaline formation, but some promote acid formation in the body. Some fruits that promote acid formation in the body include blueberries, canned or glazed fruit, cranberries, currents, plums and prunes. Acidic vegetables include corn, lentils, olives and winter squash.

Acidic Meats

Most animal foods are acidic. Acid animal foods include beef, pork, lamb, seafood and game foods. Organ meats, bacon, sausage, and veal acidify the body. Acidic seafood includes carp, clams, cod, lobster, mussels, oysters, pike, salmon, sardines, shrimp, scallops, shellfish and other fish. Game meats like venison, turkey and rabbit promote acid formation in the body.

Other Acidic Foods

Condiments like ketchup and mustard acidify the body. Cocoa, coffee, vinegar, pepper and soft drinks stimulate acid formation. Beans and legumes such as black beans, lentils, pinto beans, soy and almond milk promote acid formation. Acid-forming nuts include cashews, peanuts, pecans, walnuts and others. Cooking oils, butter and lard promote acid formation in the body.