Sometimes, even some simple and regular foods are not safe to eat. Your body can be especially harmful to your stomach, with sliced ​​tomatoes, your favorite black tea or slices of toast. For some reason, the acidity of some products is higher than in others. These foods cause indigestion, acid reflux, and other discomforts. That's why it is important to know which products may harm your stomach and try to reduce its use.

What are acidic foods?

Different substances, including the food we eat, regardless of whether they are solid or liquid, have a pH value. On a scale of 1 to 14, foods with a pH below 7 are considered acidic.

PH 0 – high level of pH
PH 7 – neutral level of pH
PH 14 – a basic level of acidity (alkalinity)

Ideally, our blood should have a pH of 7.35 to 7.45, which is slightly alkaline. Our pH inside the stomach is about 3.5 to 5.5, which is highly acidic.

1. Spicy food and sauces

Spicy foods and sauces can easily irritate the lining of the esophagus and cause discomfort. 

PH of chili sauce – 2.8 – 3.7

2. Drinks containing caffeine

Caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea and energy drinks can cause acid reflux and burns. They also irritate the esophagus or weaken the esophageal sphincter.

PH of coffee – 4
PH of black tea – 4.9 – 5.5
PH of green tea – 7 – 10
PH of energy drinks – 3.4

3. Tomato

Tomatoes are deeply acidic and can cause indigestion if you consume them too much.

PH of tomatoes – 4.3 – 4.9
PH of tomato juice – 4.1 – 4.6
PH of tomato puree – 4.3 – 4.5

4. Citrus and juices

Citrus is another acidic diet that you should avoid if you do not want heartburn.

The pH of the lemon – 2.2 – 2.4
PH of grapefruit – 3.0 – 3.7
The pH of the orange – 3.0 – 4.0

5. Mint

High doses of peppermint can cause acid reflux and heartburn.

PH of mint tea – 6 – 7

6. Garlic and onion

It is not advisable to eat garlic in people who have a burning sensation right now. Accordingly, it can cause heartburn and upset stomach as well. Onions (especially raw) are also included in the list of dangerous products. 

The pH of garlic – 5.8
PH of red onions – 5.30 – 5.8

7. More acidic foods to avoid

Here are some other foods to restrict if you don't want to affect your health:

corn oil
Sugar, molasses, maple syrup, processed honey, aspartame
salt
Mayonnaise, soy sauce and vinegar
Cereals: corn, rice, wheat

8. Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages, such as alcohol or beer, stimulate acid production in the stomach, and moderate or excessive intake can lead to acidity.

The pH of the wine – 2.5 – 4.5

9. Soft drinks

Soft drinks look like they do no harm, but drinking it is actually risky.

The pH of Coca-Cola – 2.37
PH of Fanta Orange – 2.82
The pH of the sprite – 3.24

10. High-fat and fried foods

Fatty foods, including fried foods, are at risk, as they allow more stomach acid to be copied into the esophagus. Avoid products: Fried foods: French fries, onion rings, chips
Fatty dairy products: cheese (pH 5.1 – 5.9), whole milk (pH 4.1 – 5.3), butter (pH 6.7 – 6.9), yogurt (pH 4.4 – 4.6)
Fatty meat: fatty pieces of beef, pork or lamb, bacon, fat and pork (pH-5.8)
Nuts: cashew nuts (pH – 5.9), walnuts (pH – 5.4)
Fatty foods