What makes a food alkaline-forming?
Written by
Tran Quang
Reviewed by
Prof. Graham Pierce, Ph.D.The alkaline-forming foods produce their results through their mineral makeup and metabolism. After digestion, they are eliminated as alkaline mineral residues, including potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Thus, they contrast with the acid-forming foodstuffs, which produce the residues of sulphur or phosphorus. The final effect is determined by what your body does with it after that.
Mineral Composition
- Potassium: Highest impact on alkaline residue formation
- Magnesium: Supports enzymatic buffering systems
- Calcium: Binds with acids creating neutral salts
Metabolic Processing
- Organic acids convert to alkaline salts during metabolism
- Protein type influences acid/alkaline ash outcome
- Fiber content affects mineral absorption efficiency
Food Categories
- Leafy greens: High magnesium and calcium
- Citrus fruits: Citric acid converts to alkaline salts
- Nuts/seeds: Mineral-dense with buffering capabilities
Metabolic transformation clarifies the reason why foods become alkaline in the body. During digestion, minerals combine with acids to form neutral compounds. For instance, potassium unites with hydrochloric acid to produce potassium chloride. Then the kidneys excrete these neutral compounds regardless of the cooking method used.
Alkali potential is more dependent on mineral ratios than on food pH. For instance, foods with a potassium-to-phosphorus ratio of more than 3:1 have an alkaline ash. So much alkaline ash is produced by spinach, because its ratio is 5:1. This is the answer to the riddle of why lemon juice that is acid tastes alkaline after digestion.
The influence of protein affects the formation of alkalis. The proteins from plants contain fewer sulfur-containing amino acids than those from animal proteins. The metabolic processes in the body will produce less sulfuric acid. This will be evident in foods such as leguminous plants, like white beans, which have a negative PRAL index of approximately -23.
Read the full article: Top Alkaline Forming Foods for Health
