For optimum health, the blood in the human body should be slightly alkaline, 7.35 to 7.45 on the pH scale; 7.0 is neutral, below 7.0 is acidic and above 7.0 is alkaline. In order to maintain this balance, it is imperative that a good balance of alkaline and acidic foods are ingested. To preserve health, a good diet will consist of 40 percent acid and 60 percent alkaline food. To restore an acidic imbalance, a larger percentage of alkaline foods should be consumed.

Alkaline Foods

Two foods that are extremely alkaline are lemons and watermelon. Other alkaline foods include cantaloupe, dates, figs, parsley, papaya, melons, mango, limes, kelp, raisins, pineapple and asparagus. Slightly alkaline foods include almonds, brussels sprouts, cherries, cucumbers, eggplant, leeks, mushrooms, okra, soy cheese, soy milk, sprouted grains, and tofu.

Neutral Foods

Foods that have a neutral pH are neither acid- or alkaline-forming in the body. The following foods are of neutral pH: fresh and unsalted butter, fresh raw cream, raw cow's milk and whey, and plain yogurt.

Acidic Foods

Some foods that are extremely acid forming are artificial sweeteners, beef, beer, breads, brown sugar, carbonated soft drinks, chocolate, cigarettes and coffee. The following fruits and vegetables also form acid when processed by the body: corn, lentils, olives, blueberries, cranberries and currants.

Alkanalizing Minerals

Several minerals when processed by the body have a very alkalizing effect. When taken in supplement form, or by eating foods containing high contents of these minerals, an alkaline balance can be achieved. Calcium has a pH of 12; Cesium has a pH of 14; Magnesium has a pH of 9; Potassium has a pH of 14; Sodium has a pH of 14

How pH is Measured

The tendency of a food to be acid or alkaline forming in the body has nothing to do with the actual pH of the food. Lemons are a very acidic food, for example, yet when digested and assimilated in the body, the end products they produce are very alkaline. The opposite is true of meat. Meat will test alkaline before it is digested, but the residue it leaves in the body is very acidic.

Source:

Rense.com: A list of Acid/Alkaline Forming Foods