This introduction to my basic acid alkaline food charts describes how they are structured. It also acts as an index to the charts, which are organized by USDA nutrition food groups.
This is the first set of charts to use PRAL Scores to rank foods by acid or alkaline effect. Later charts have more features and focus on popular foods.
Why Use PRAL Alkaline Food Charts?
Alkalizing your body (which essentially means ensuring your urine is alkaline) has many health benefits, though not as many as some merchants claim. Taking baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) works for many health problems. Unfortunately, it can raise blood pressure, so an alternative is better.
This is where increasing your pH level through food comes in. There is a lot of information on the Internet about alkalizing diets and acid-alkaline balance. Much of this is confusing and sometimes contradictory.
First of all, the effect of food on the body is nothing to do with the pH of the food itself. The important measurement is how the food changes the pH of your body after it has been digested. Often sour foods like lemon juice will actually raise pH after digestion, making the body more alkaline.
Secondly, alkalizing the body with food does not mean that you must stop eating lots of different foods. The opposite is true. You must eat a wide variety of food, choosing acidifying foods as well as alkalizing ones, which, in total, have an overall alkalizing effect.
Other PRAL Alkaline Food Factors
Read moreAlkaline Food Charts: Your Introduction to PRAL