What Is the PH of Fruits & Vegetables?

The potential for hydrogen, or pH, refers to the acid-alkaline balance in the foods that we eat. This pH number can range from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral, below 7 being acidic, and above 7 being alkaline.

PH Level of Common Vegetables

• Even acidic tomatoes are close to neutral.

  Vegetables are slightly acidic, such as beans with a pH balance of 6.0 or carrots with 6.3. Some lettuce is neutral.

PH level for Fruits

• Fruits are more acidic. Blueberries have a pH of 5.0, while bananas can be nearly neutral at 6.5.

Why It's Important to Balance Your pH

• A healthy body will maintain a pH balance of 7.35 to 7.45, or slightly alkaline. Maintaining this level is important to the regulatory systems such as breathing, circulation, and elimination. Some scientists believe that if a body is too acidic, it will leach alkaline substance, such as calcium, from the bones, leading to osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

How to Maintain Alkalinity

• Eating less meat and sugar and more fruits and vegetables is a good way to maintain the body's pH level. Even acidic fruits such as citrus have an alkaline effect in the body due to the acid being used during digestion.

Highly Acidic Foods

• Meats and sweets are particularly acidic with colas and sugar coming in at 1.0 and meat at 2.5.