Top Acidic Foods That You MUST Avoid + Healthy Substitutes

Following a proper meal plan will protect your teeth and keep acidity at bay.

Medically reviewed by Madhu Sharma, RD
Written by Swathi Handoo, MSc (Biotechnology), Professional Certificate In Food, Nutrition & Health
Edited by Ravi Teja Tadimalla, BSc, Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition and Health
Fact-checked by Aparna Mallampalli, BEd, MSc (Microbiology), Diploma In Nutrition  • 

If heartburn is haunting you every day, you are probably consuming a lot of acidic foods. These foods increase the acid levels in your stomach and put a strain on your gut. So, what is the way out?

Well, you simply need to cut down on certain foods and go for healthier options. Wondering what they are?

In this article, we understand what actually happens when you consume acidic foods, provide you with a list of foods that you should avoid, and suggest some substitutes. Keep reading to learn more!

What Are Acidic Foods?

Foods that have a pH level of 4.5 or lesser and tend to cause more acidity in your stomach are acidic foods. They may taste anything from sour, tart, tangy, citrusy, and vinegary, to sharp, acrid, and even biting and zesty. Some acidic foods may even give out a strong and pungent smell.

To make it simple, let’s understand the concept of acids and bases. All foods – solids and liquids – have a pH value that makes them acidic or basic.

Chemically speaking, the pH value of a compound tells you how many hydrogen molecules it has. On a scale of 1 to 14, all the compounds having a pH less than 7 are acidic. Water is neutral and has a pH of 7. All those compounds above 7 are alkaline or basic foods.

To summarize, lower the pH, higher the acidity. And what foods fall into the low pH, highly acidic category? Here you go…

Top Acidic Foods You Should Stay Away From

Contrary to popular belief, many vegetables and fruits trigger higher acid production and give you acidity.

Let’s look at the list of foods with their pH values that you should not be consuming if you have GERD(gastroesophageal reflux disease) because they decrease the pH of your gut.

Fruits & VeggiesMeatDairy Products
Lime (2.0)Sausages (3.3)Buttermilk (4.4)
Cranberry juice (2.5)Shellfish (3.3)Cheese (4.5)
Orange (3.7)Pork (3.8)Sour cream (4.5)
Apple (3.75)Fish (4.0)Cottage cheese (4.7)
Pineapple (3.9)Lobster (4.3)Whey (5.0)
Strawberries (3.9)Lamb (4.5)Ice cream (4.8-5.5)
Tomatoes (3.4-4.7)Beef (5.0)Drinks
Green olives (4.2)Bacon (5.5)Carbonated soft drinks (2.2)
Peach (4.2)NutsCoffee (4.0)
Mango (4.6)Peanuts (3.8)Pasteurized juices (4.0)
Dates (5.4)Cashews (4.0)Energy drinks (4.1)
SaucesPistachios (4.4)Vegetable juice (4.2)
Vinegar (3.0)Pecans (4.5)Alcohol (4.3)
Pickles (3.2)SweetenersOils (3.0-5.0)
Mayonnaise (3.8-4.2)Honey (4.0)Cooked oil
Mustard (4.0)Sugar (5.0)Solid oil (margarine)
Soy sauce (5.0)Artificial sweeteners (3.0)
Corn syrup (3.8)

So what if these foods are acidic? Why should you stay away from them? These are some questions you might be asking. I’m coming to that. Read on!

What Happens When You Eat Acidic Foods?

Everything that you eat has to come in contact with the gastric juice in your stomach. This gastric juice is highly acidic and has a pH between 1.5 to 3.5 (equivalent to hydrochloric acid).

Our body has mechanisms to strictly control the pH in the gut and levels of gastric juice in the stomach. When the pH of your stomach is already acidic, and you eat acidic foods, a cumulative effect is created that lowers the pH in your gut even more.

It’s like adding fuel to the fire!

There’s too much acid generated at once, which can give rise to conditions like:

1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Acidic foods trigger GERD
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Image: Shutterstock

Consuming highly acidic foods can damage the protective inner lining of your stomach, giving you dreadful ulcers and terrible acid reflux.

What’s worse is if this acid reflux and inflammation continue and reach the upper GI tract and esophagus, which do not have a protective mucus-secreting cell lining (like your stomach). It can lead to chronic burning sensation, dyspepsiai  XUpper abdominal irritation also referred to as indigestion, characterized by bloating, heartburn, nausea, or acid reflux. , acidity, heartburn, and ulcers in your mouth.

This is what happens when you have GERD. Trust me, you will not be able to swallow something as soothing as cold milk!

A study conducted on 2,002 participants found the prevalence rate of typical GERD symptoms that appeared monthly or weekly at 16.5% and 6.8% respectively. It was further observed that two-thirds (209/330) of the patients reported having typical GERD symptoms at least once a month.

protip_icon Did You Know?
About 20% of the people in the United States have GERD (6).

2. Causes Tooth Decay

Eating or drinking sugary and starchy foods can lead to the formation of a thin, sticky, invisible film of bacteria called plaque all over your teeth.

When high sugar foods come in contact with plaque, the acids that digest the food attack your teeth till almost 20 minutes after you finish eating.

Repeated acid attacks like these break down the hard enamel layer on your teeth, ultimately leading to tooth decay. Something similar happens in the case of acid reflux too (1).

3. Can Give Rise To Bone Diseases

Due to the Western diets that have a high acid, sodium, and bicarbonate content, and low potassium and calcium content, there is a gradual loss of bone density.

The urinary loss of calcium (which increases by 74% when on highly acidic foods), an inadequacy of potassium and vitamin D, and hypertensioni  XHigh blood pressure — a serious medical condition that significantly increases the risks of mainly heart, brain, and kidney diseases. together trigger bone resorption and early onset of bone diseases like osteoporosisi  XA bone disorder that arises when bone composition or structure alters or bone mass and bone mineral density decline. (2).

4. Could Cause Kidney Stones

Acidic foods trigger kidney stone formation
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The excretion of minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium through urine is essential for your kidneys’ health.

Having highly acidic foods can cause your kidneys to retain a fraction of these minerals while generating urine.

Over time, such mineral deposits turn into renal calculi or kidney stones. These could be fatal if left untreated.

protip_icon Did You Know?
According to the National Health Survey released in 2018, around 6 million adults in the United States have kidney disease (7).

So, how do we stop all this?

A simple way out is to reduce the consumption of such high acid-generating foods. But almost half of the foods we take in daily fall under this category. Some of them are highly nutritious too!

Then, how do we make it up?

The good news is that we have many substitutes for these foods that are equally nutritious but less acidic. You can try to choose the more alkaline options to prevent acid reflux.

Bradley Reeder, a blogger, embarked on a meticulous journey of self-discovery In his quest to combat acid reflux. He started keeping a food diary to get better. He adds, “ From this I started a dialogue with my body of learning what kinds of foods I need to support my health. And I was able to start deducing which foods triggered the symptoms and systematically remove them from my diet one at a time (i).” Through a methodical process of elimination, he unveiled his triggers, ranging from tobacco smoking to refined carbs. Ultimately, he embraced a disciplined whole foods, plant-based diet that comprised vegetables, whole grains, fruits, and lean proteins. He adds that it also depends on how you cook your food. Boiling, poaching, steaming and water frying as examples of cooking methods worked better for his condition.

Scroll down to find out what the options are.

Substitutes For Acidic Foods

Choosing less acidic or alkaline foods over highly acidic ones can prevent you from burning your gut and esophagus.

Take a look at this pH spectrum to understand what foods fall into acidic and alkaline categories.

Acid and alkaline food comparison chart
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For your quick reference, here are some easily available alkaline foods with their pH values that you can add to your grocery list:

1. Almonds and almond milk (6.0)
2. Artichokes (5.9-6.0)
3. Asparagus (6.0-6.7)
4. Avocado (6.2-6.5)
5. Basil (5.5-6.5)
6. Broccoli (6.3-6.8)
7. Cabbage (5.2-6.8)
8. Celery (5.7-6.0)
9. Garlic (5.8)
10. Ginger (5.6-6.0)
11. Kale (6.3-6.8)
12. Kelp (6.3)
13. Lima beans (6.5)
14. Mint (7.0-8.0)
15. Okra (5.5-6.6)
16. Spinach (5.5-6.8)
17. Swiss chard (6.1-6.7)
18. Tofu (7.2)
19. Tea (7.2)
20. Zucchini (5.9-6.1)

Do you want to know what wonders you can do with these? Scroll down for a surprise!

Avocado And Quinoa Salad (Quick And Comfy!)

Avocado and quinoa salad
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Image: IStock

What You Need

  • Ripe avocados: 4 (peeled and quartered)
  • Quinoa: 1 cup
  • Chickpeas: 400g, drained
  • Parsley (flat leaf): 30g, torn

Let’s Make It!

  1. Cook the quinoa by putting one cup of quinoa in a pot with two cups of water. Bring it to a boil.
  2. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 12 minutes until the water has evaporated.
  3. Fluff with a fork until the grains are swollen and glassy.
  4. Toss all the ingredients together and season with sea salt and black pepper. (You can also add broccoli or kale for some crunch.)
  5. Serve warm with lemon wedges and olive oil.
  6. I know, you’re glad that you came to this page! You’re welcome!

As discussed above, excessive intake of acidic foods can lead to a few health troubles. But what about alkaline foods? How do they fare? Learn more about this below.

Acidic Vs. Alkaline Foods

Alkaline foods include fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Following an alkaline diet has various health benefits. It improves the potassium-to-sodium ratio to boost cardiovascular health, reduces muscle wasting, and increases intracellular magnesium concentrations to enhance metabolism and other cellular functions (3).

In contrast, following a diet high in acidic foods like carbonated drinks, dairy products, eggs, meat, etc. may lead to hyperuricemia (an elevated uric acid level in the blood), an increased chance of hip fractures, and frailty in older adults (3).

However, it is important to note that excess alkalinity may also lead to detrimental effects (3). Hence, it is necessary to maintain a balance between alkaline and acidic foods to boost our overall well-being.

In Conclusion…

Benefits of balanced alkaline-acid diet
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Switching to a diet rich in foods with a higher pH, like the vegetables and greens listed in this article, will help you protect your body from undesirable chemical stress.

Formulate a diet that has 80% alkaline and 20% acidic foods so that you get the best of both worlds.

Infographic: Top Acidic Foods To Avoid And Why

While acidic foods are tasty, they may leave you feeling like your insides are burning. That is why it is best to avoid them as they may wreak havoc on your digestive system and lead to other severe problems. Check out the infographic below for the top acidic foods to avoid and why.

top acidic foods to avoid and why (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Acidic foods exhibit many negative effects on the body. These foods may cause GERD, tooth decay, bone diseases, and kidney stones. Replacing them with alkaline foods minimizes the risk of these conditions. Foods like almonds, asparagus, avocado, okra, spinach, swiss chard, tofu, and mint are alkaline. It is advisable to formulate a diet with 80% alkaline foods and 20% acidic foods for balanced nutrition. Completely avoiding acidic foods is also not recommended. Try out the easy and quick recipes mentioned above to enjoy alkaline foods in a helathy fashion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are eggs acidic?

No. Eggs have neutral to slightly alkaline pH (pH of 7.6 to 8.5) (4).

Are bananas acidic?

Yes. Bananas have a slightly acidic to neutral pH (pH of 5.3 to 6.1) (5).

Are potatoes acidic?

Yes. Potatoes have a slightly acidic pH (pH 6.1) (6).

Which fruit is non-acidic?

Avocados and cantaloupe melons are alkaline in nature.

Key Takeaways

  • Acidic foods may disrupt your body’s pH levels and trigger acidity.
  • Processed and refined foods, sugar, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, and caffeine are some common acidic foods.
  • Following a diet high in acidic foods may damage your stomach’s inner lining and cause dreadful ulcers and terrible acid reflux.
  • Acidic foods may also weaken the immune system, cause ulcers in your mouth and form kidney stones.
  • A diet high in alkaline-forming foods like almonds, asparagus, and avocado alongside balanced consumption of acidic foods, may help improve overall health and support healing.
acidic foods

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. The Best and Worst Foods for Your Teeth, University of Rochester Medical Health Center.
    https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&&ContentID=4062
  2. The Alkaline Diet: Is There Evidence That an Alkaline pH Diet Benefits Health? Journal of Environmental and Public Health, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3195546/
  3. How Well Do Low-PRAL Diets Fare in Comparison to the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9859335/
  4.  Influence of carbon dioxide on the activity of chicken egg white lysozyme
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119404999?via%3Dihub
  5. Morphological, physicochemical, and antioxidant profile of noncommercial banana cultivars
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4431790/
  6. Tissue Damage, Temperature, and pH Induced by Different Electrode Arrays on Potato Pieces (Solanum tuberosum L.)
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5917672/
  7. Definition & Facts for GER & GERD
    https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults/definition-facts
  8. Kidney Disease
    https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/kidney-disease.htm
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