Q: In your September article on pH, you said that citrus fruits are not acidic in the body. How can that be? These fruits are very acidic and make my reflux worse.
A: Judith C. Thalheimer, RD, LDN, executive editor of Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter, answers: “You are correct. Citrus fruits (like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit) and their juices are acidic. For a small group of people, they may cause reflux (heartburn).
“But whether a food is acidic or basic (alkaline) outside the body is not the same as the effect they have on the pH levels in the body once they have been digested and metabolized.
“As we discussed in the September article you referenced, your body has multiple systems to keep pH levels balanced, but you can support these efforts (and reduce risk for osteoporosis and kidney disease) with your dietary choices. Foods that lower acidity in the body include non-starchy veggies, nuts and seeds, beans, and fruits—including citrus fruits. Foods that are acidic in the body include meat, cheese, eggs, and grains. Milk and fats are considered neutral.
“So, if you have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or get heartburn when you eat foods that are acidic outside the body (such as citrus fruits and tomatoes), do limit intake of foods that bother you, but include plenty of other fruits and vegetables and don’t overdo intake of grains and proteins. This will support your body’s natural systems for balancing pH levels.”
Parke Wilde, PhD, is a food economist and professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. He is a leading authority on U.S. food policy and the economics of U.S. federal nutrition assistance programs.
