There are normally two groups where the food is classified. They are classified as acidic and alkaline food groups. The reason for these classifications of the food is because of the effect they cause on one’s urine’s pH level after they are being consumed.
Therefore having too much acidic or too much alkaline food will have its consequences. Like systematic acidosis that is caused due to excessive acidic food. while excessive consumption of alkaline food might cause a severe stage of alkalosis. Neither of them is good for one’s health.
Acidic vs Alkaline
The main difference between acidic and alkaline is that acids have a pH level that is less than 7, while the pH level of alkaline is always more than 7. Substances that are neutral in nature have a pH level that is equal to 7. Let’s take metal oxides. For example, they are alkaline when they are soluble in water, while non-metal oxides are acidic if they are solved in water.
Acids are basically species of chemicals that have a pH level that is below 7. Major acidic food is- cranberries, blueberries, prunes, prune pasts, white bread, ice cream, wheat, pork, beef, peanuts, shellfish, string beans, beer, alcohol, walnuts, kidney beans, plums, rye bread, store bore juices, cold-water fish, eggs, brown rice, organ meats, pumpkin, honey, fatty dairy products, sunflower beans, lima beans, navy beans, pinto beans, canned fruits, oats, white rice, coffee, cashew, pistachio, wine, chicken, turkey.
Alkaline itself is a chemical solution that has a pH level that is more than 7. Alkaline fruits are- watermelon, citrus, papaya, pears, mango, melons, grape, banana, kiwi, apples, avocados, peaches, cherries, pineapples. Alkaline oils include- olive oil, grape seed oil, and canola oil. There is a wide range of alkaline vegetables that are- spinach, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, okra, broccoli, parsley, squash, green beans, celery, carrots, lentils.
Comparison Table Between Acidic and Alkaline
| Parameters of comparison | Acidic | Alkaline |
| pH level | Acids are basically species of chemicals that have a pH level that is below 7. | Alkaline itself is a chemical solution that has a pH level that is more than 7. |
| Household substances | Acidic household substances are- vinegar, fizzy drinks, and fruit juices. | Alkaline household substances are- milk of magnesia, toothpaste, and cleaning chemicals. |
| Water-soluble | Non-metal oxides are acidic when they are solved in water. | Metal oxides are alkaline when they are solved in water. |
| Taste | Acids taste sour. | Alkaline is bitter in taste. |
| Neutralization | Acids can be easily neutralized by the base. | Alkaline can be neutralized by acids. |
What is Acidic?
Acids are basically species of chemicals that have a pH level that is below 7. Major acidic food is- cranberries, blueberries, prunes, prune pasts, white bread, ice cream, wheat, pork, beef, peanuts, shellfish, string beans, beer, alcohol, walnuts, kidney beans, plums, rye bread, store bore juices, cold-water fish, eggs, brown rice, organ meats, pumpkin, honey, fatty dairy products, sunflower beans, lima beans, navy beans, pinto beans, canned fruits, oats, white rice, coffee, cashew, pistachio, wine, chicken, turkey.
Acidic food has a pH scale that stays less than 7. Knowing the level of pH scale is very important while consuming food that is new to you and your body. The acidic scale runs from the 0 levels to the 14 levels being the highest. The level 0-7 is the first half on the scale, while the upper half begins from 7.1-14.
What is Alkaline?
Alkaline itself is a chemical solution that has a pH level that is more than 7. Alkaline fruits are- watermelon, citrus, papaya, pears, mango, melons, grape, banana, kiwi, apples, avocados, peaches, cherries, pineapples. Alkaline oils include- olive oil, grape seed oil, and canola oil. There is a wide range of alkaline vegetables that are- spinach, celery, carrots, lentils, okra, broccoli, parsley, squash, green beans, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower.
Talking of the normal case scenario, a human body tends to stay in the pH level of 7.4, that is, through the mineral deposition and withdrawal from the bones and soft tissues of the human body. According to specialists, it is said that out of the total food consumed by a person, 50%-80% of it should be from alkaline food. This is because to maintain a body’s equilibrium of acid.
Main Differences Between Acidic and Alkaline
- The main difference between acid and alkaline is that Acids are basically species of chemical that have a pH level that is below 7, while Alkaline itself is a chemical solution that has a pH level that is more than 7.
- Household substances that are acidic are- vinegar, fizzy drinks, and fruit juices, while Household substances that are alkaline are- milk of magnesia, toothpaste, and cleaning chemicals.
- Non-metal oxides are acidic when they are solved in water, but Metal oxides are alkaline when they are solved in water.
- Acids taste sour, whereas Alkaline is bitter in taste.
- Acids can be easily neutralized by the base, while Alkaline can be neutralized by acids.
- Examples of acidic food are- cranberries, blueberries, prunes, prune pasts, white bread, ice cream, wheat, pork, beef, peanuts, shellfish, string beans, beer, alcohol, walnuts, kidney beans, plums, rye bread, store bore juices, etc. while examples of alkaline food are- watermelon, citrus, papaya, pears, mango, melons, grape, banana, spinach, okra, broccoli, parsley, squash, green beans, celery, carrots, lentils, etc.
Conclusion
It is now concluded that acidic and alkaline, both being different types of food that are also categorized differently, are needed by the human body in a balanced form. A balanced form means an accurate amount that can be digested by the body because having too much acidic or too much alkaline food will have its consequences.
Not consuming food according to the pH level required by the body will have its consequences like systematic acidosis that is caused due to excessive acidic food. while excessive consumption of alkaline food might cause a severe stage of alkalosis. Neither of them is good for one’s health.
References
- https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1149/2.0271611jes/meta
- https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1149/2.0271611jes/meta