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Acidic Foods and Muscle Pain

Once a food has been ingested and metabolized in the body, it may have either an acid-forming or an alkaline-forming effect. While both types of foods are important, most people tend to eat an acid-forming diet. A food's mineral content gives it the potential for being acid or alkaline in the body.

  1. Acidic Foods

    • Acid-forming foods include dairy, meats, eggs, fish, processed flour, sour fruit, grains (except millet, amaranth and quinoa), honey, molasses, most nuts, most oils, pasta, popcorn, rice, salt, most seeds, sugar, artificial sweeteners, black tea, distilled vinegar, dried beans, breads, cakes, chocolate, coffee, cookies and crackers.

    Significance

    • Since the body's pH is slightly alkaline, people may benefit from a higher alkaline diet. The alkaline-forming foods (primarily fruits and vegetables) have a high amount of minerals, which are only moderately well absorbed, even with a good functioning digestive system.

    Effects

    • Magnesium deficiency is related to a variety of health problems, including muscular pain, spasms and nerve-related pain. An adequate intake of magnesium should be between 0.5 to 1 gram daily, together with 1 gram to 1.5 grams of calcium.

    Considerations

    • Animal products (acid-forming foods) are also a source of arachidonic acid (an Omega 6), which increases inflammation in the body. This might lead to further health problems of the muscoloskeletal system.

    Prevention/Solution

    • For the body, values below pH 6.3 are considered acidic. Applying saliva or urine on litmus paper is an easy and accurate way to determine if the body is alkaline or acidic. On the contact with the fluid, the paper will change color, indicating the body's pH level.

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