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pH Buffer System

There are three primary pH-buffering systems of the body but for now we simply want to say a few words about the word "buffer". What exactly does that mean? A buffer keeps something where it should be. It buffers adverse swings. It shields, cushions and protects.

If you have ever seen a pH test strip for a swimming pool, you will note a section of the strip that states "pH" which will give a direct pH reading, and a section of the strip that states "total alkalinity". Now you might have a swimming pool reading of 7.2 pH, but if "total alkalinity" is low, the pH of 7.2 can be easily moved too acid or too alkaline. It can be pushed around because the total concentration of (-) ions (the "total alkalinity") is low. Hence, pH can get pushed around and will not stay put.

This same thing happens with humans. pH values can get pushed around fairly easily if total alkalinity is low. The key is to balance pH and increase total alkalinity levels. Now just so you don't go overboard with the thought that all must be alkaline to the extreme, note that everything has balance and a perfect range. There are compartments in the body that you could say need "total acidity" in order to function. So for our purposes, we will say that the key is "total buffering" which is a good ionic concentration to maintain a solid pH that stays within an ideal range for the thing being measured.

In general we can raise the body's buffer capacity through consumption of mineral rich food, however, this is not always easy to do with our current agricultural situation of chemical farming on depleted soils. So in a clinical environment, we can assist pH balance in the body by using supplemental minerals. We pay attention to the anionic/cationic ratios, and while minerals like sodium, potassium and magnesium are important, we use various forms of calcium to push pH in specific directions (up, down or neutral) depending on the calcium type and this increases "total buffering" activity to maintain a solid pH that stays within optimum range and does not move easily. Now with that said, it is easy to use the wrong calcium in the wrong pH range and screw things up. But we'll cover this later.

Approximate pH of Foods and Food products

The approximate ranges of food product pH values are shown below, as compiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Considerable variation exists between varieties, condition of growing and processing methods, etc. Data is presented for the edible portion of foods in their normal and natural state, unless otherwise designated.
 

Item Approximate pH balone 6.10 - 6.50 Abalone mushroom 5.00 Ackees 5.50 Aloe vera 6.10 Aloe Juice 6.00 - 6.80 Anchovies 6.50 Anchovies, stuffed w/capers, in olive oil 5.58 Antipesto 5.60 Apple, baked with sugar 3.20 - 3.55 Apple, eating 3.30 - 4.00 Apples   Delicious 3.90 Golden Delicious 3.60 Jonathan 3.33 McIntosh 3.34 Juice 3.35 - 4.00 Sauce 3.10 - 3.60 Winesap 3.47 Apricots 3.30 - 4.80 Canned 3.40 - 3.78 Dried, stewed 3.30 - 3.51 Nectar 3.78 Pureed, 3.42 - 3.83 Strained 3.72 - 3.95 Arrowroot Crackers 6.63 - 6.80 Arrowroot Cruel 6.37 - 6.87 Artichokes 5.50 - 6.00 Artichokes, canned, acidified 4.30 - 4.60 Artichokes, French, cooked 5.60 - 6.00 Artichokes, Jerusalem, cooked 5.93 - 6.00 Asparagus 6.00 - 6.70 Buds 6.70 Stalks 6.10 Asparagus, cooked 6.03 - 6.16 Asparagus, canned 5.00 - 6.00 Asparagus, frozen, cooked 6.35 - 6.48 Asparagus, green, canned 5.20 - 5.32 Asparagus, strained 4.80 - 5.09 Avocados 6.27 - 6.58 Baby corn 5.20 - Baby Food Soup, unstrained 5.95 - 6.05 Bamboo Shoots + 5.10 - 6.20 Bamboo Shoots, preserved 3.50 - 4.60 Bananas 4.50 - 5.20 Bananas, red 4.58 - 4.75 Banana, yellow 5.00 - 5.29 Barley, cooked 5.19 - 5.32 Basil pesto 4.90 Bass, sea, broiled 6.58 - 6.78 Bass, striped, broiled 6.50 - 6.70 Beans 5.60 - 6.50 Black 5.78 - 6.02 Boston style 5.05 - 5.42 Kidney 5.40 - 6.00 Lima 6.50 Soy 6.00 - 6.60 String 5.60 Wax 5.30 - 5.70 Beans, pork & tomato sauce, canned 5.10 - 5.80 Beans, refried 5.90 Beans, vegetarian, tomato sauce, canned 5.32 Beets 5.30 - 6.60 Beets, cooked 5.23 - 6.50 Beets, canned, acidified 4.30 - 4.60 Beets, canned 4.90 - 5.80 Beets, chopped 5.32 - 5.56 Beets, strained 5.32 - 5.56 Bird's nest soup 7.20 - 7.60 Blackberries, Washington 3.85 - 4.50 Blueberries, Maine 3.12 - 3.33 Blueberries, frozen 3.11 - 3.22 Bluefish, Boston, filet, broiled 6.09 - 6.50 Bran   Flakes 5.45 - 5.67 All Bran 5.59 - 6.19 Bread, white 5.00 - 6.20 Bread, Boston, brown 6.53 Bread, Cracked wheat 5.43 - 5.50 Bread, pumpernickel 5.40 Bread, Rye 5.20 - 5.90 Bread, whole wheat 5.47 - 5.85 Breadfruit, cooked 5.33 Broccoli, cooked 6.30 - 6.52 Broccoli, frozen, cooked 6.30 - 6.85 Broccoli, canned 5.20 - 6.00 Brussels sprout 6.00 - 6.30 Buttermilk 4.41 - 4.83 Cabbage 5.20 - 6.80 Green 5.50 - 6.75 Red 5.60 - 6.00 Savoy 6.30 White 6.20 Cactus 4.70 Calamary (Squid) 5.80 Cantaloupe 6.13 - 6.58 Capers 6.00 Carp 6.00 Carrots 5.88 - 6.40 Carrots, canned 5.18 - 5.22 Carrots, chopped 5.30 - 5.56 Carrots, cooked 5.58 - 6.03 Carrots, pureed 4.55 - 5.80 Carrots, strained 5.10 - 5.10 Cauliflower 5.60 Cauliflower, cooked 6.45 - 6.80 Caviar, American 5.70 - 6.00 Celery 5.70 - 6.00 Celery, cooked 5.37 - 5.92 Celery Knob, cooked 5.71 - 5.85 Cereal, strained 6.44 - 6.45 Chayote (mirliton), cooked 6.00 - 6.30 Cheese, American, mild 4.98 Cheese, Camembert 7.44 Cheese, Cheddar 5.90 Cheese, Cottage 4.75 - 5.02 Cheese, Cream, Philadelphia 4.10 - 4.79 Cheese Dip 5.80 Cheese, Edem 5.40 Cheese, Old English 6.15 Cheese, Roquefort 5.10 - 5.98 Cheese, Parmesan 5.20 - 5.30 Cheese, Snippy 5.18 - 5.2l Cheese, Stilton 5.70 Cheese, Swiss Gruyere 5.68 - 6.62 Cherries, California 4.01 - 4.54 Cherries, frozen 3.32 - 3.37 Cherries, black, canned 3.82 - 3.93 Cherries, Maraschino 3.47 - 3.52 Cherries, red, Water pack 3.25 - 3.82 Cherries, Royal Ann 3.80 - 3.83 Chicory 5.90 - 6.05 Chili Sauce, acidified 2.77 - 3.70 Chives 5.20 - 6.31 Clams 6.00 - 7.10 Clam Chowder, New England 6.40 Coconut, fresh 5.50 - 7.80 Coconut milk 6.10 - 7.00 Coconut preserves 3.80 - 7.00 Codfish, boiled 5.30 - 6.10 Cod liver 6.20 Conch 7.52 - 8.40 Congee 6.40 Corn 5.90 - 7.30 Corn, canned 5.90 - 6.50 Corn Flakes 4.90 - 5.38 Corn, frozen, cooked 7.33 - 7.68 Corn, Golden Bantam, cooked on cob 6.22 - 7.04 Crab meat 6.50 - 7.00 Crabapple Jelly, corn 2.93 - 3.02 Cranberry Juice, canned 2.30 - 2.52 Crabmeat, cooked 6.62 - 6.98 Cream, 20 per cent 6.50 - 6.68 Cream, 40 per cent 6.44 - 6.80 Cream of Asparagus 6.10 Cream of Coconut, canned 5.51 - 5.87 Cream of Potato soup 6.00 Cream of Wheat, cooked 6.06 - 6.16 Chrysanthemum drink 6.50 Cucumbers 5.12 - 5.78 Cucumbers, Dill pickles 3.20 - 3.70 Cucumbers, pickled 4.20 - 4.60 Curry sauce 6.00 Curry Paste,acidified 4.60 - 4.80 Cuttlefish 6.30 Dates, canned 6.20 - 6.40 Dates, Dromedary 4.14 - 4.88 Eggplant 5.50 - 6.50 Eggs, new-laid, whole 6.58 White 7.96 Yolk 6.10 Eell 6.20 Escarolle 5.70 - 6.00 Enchalada sauce 4.40 - 4.70 Fennel (Anise) 5.48 - 5.88 Fennel, cooked 5.80 - 6.02 Figs, Calamyrna 5.05 - 5.98 Figs, canned 4.92 - 5.00 Flounder, boiled 6.10 - 6.90 Flounder, fi1et, broiled 6.39 - 6.89 Four bean salad 5.60 Fruit cocktail 3.60 - 4.00 Garlic 5.80 Gelatin Dessert 2.60 Gelatin, plain jell 6.08 Ginger 5.60 - 5.90 Ginseng , Korean drink 6.00 - 6.50 Gooseberries 2.80 - 3.10 Graham Crackers 7.10 - 7.92 Grapes, canned 3.50 - 4.50 Grapes, Concord 2.80 - 3.00 Grapes, Lady Finger 3.51 - 3.58 Grapes, Malaga 3.71 - 3.78 Grapes, Niagara 2.80 - 3.27 Grapes, Ribier 3.70 - 3.80 Grapes, Seedless 2.90 - 3.82 Grapes, Tokyo 3.50 - 3.84 Grapefruit 3.00 - 3.75 Grapefruit, canned 3.08 - 3.32 Grapefruit Juice, canned 2.90 - 3.25 Grass jelly 5.80 - 7.20 Greens, Mixed, chopped 5.05 - 5.22 Greens, Mixed, strained 5.22 - 5.30 Grenadine Syrup 2.31 Guava nectar 5.50 Guava, canned 3.37 - 4. 10 Guava Jelly 3.73 Haddock, Filet, broiled 6.17 - 6.82 Hearts of Palm 5.70 Herring 6.10 Hominy, cooked 6.00 - 7.50 Honey 3.70 - 4.20 Honey Aloe 4.70 Horseradish, freshly ground 5.35 Huckleberries, cooked with sugar 3.38 - 3.43 Jackfruit 4.80 - 6.80 Jam, fruit 3.50 - 4.50 Jellies, fruit 3.00 - 3.50 Jujube 5.20 Junket type Dessert:   Raspberry 6.27 Vanilla 6.49 Kale, cooked 6.36 - 6.80 Ketchup 3.89 - 3.92 Kippered, Herring, Marshall 5.75 - 6.20 Herring, Pickled 4.50 - 5.00 Kelp 6.30 Kumquat, Florida 3.64 - 4.25 Leeks 5.50 - 6.17 Leeks, cooked .49 - 6.10 Lemon Juice 2.00 - 2.60 Lentils, cooked 6.30 - 6.83 Lentil Soup 5.80 Lettuce 5.80 - 6.15 Lettuce, Boston 5.89 - 6.05 Lettuce, Iceberg 5.70 - 6.13 Lime Juice 2.00 - 2.35 Lime 2.00 - 2.80 Lobster bisque 6.90 Lobster soup 5.70 Lobster, cooked 7.10 - 7.43 Loganberries 2.70 - 3.50 Loquat (May be acidified to pH 3.8) 5.10 Lotus Root 6.90 Lychee 4.70 - 5.01 Macaroni, cooked 5.10 - 6.41 Mackerel, King, boiled 6.26 - 6.50 Mackerel, Spanish, broiled 6.07 - 6.36 Mackerel, canned 5.90 - 6.40 Mangoes, ripe 3.40 - 4.80 Mangoes, green 5.80 - 6.00 Mangostine 4.50 -5.00 Maple syrup 5.15 Maple syrup, light (Acidified) 4.60 Matzos 5.70 Mayhaw (a variety of strawberry) 3.27 - 3.86 Melba Toast 5.08 - 5.30 Melon, Casaba 5.78 - 6.00 Melons, Honey dew 6.00 - 6.67 Melons, Persian 5.90 - 6.38 Milk, cow 6.40 - 6.80 Milk, Acidophilus Acidophilus (Lactobacillus) 4.09 - 4.25 Milk, condensed 6.33 Milk, evaporated 5.90 - 6.30 Milk, Goat's 6.48 Milk, peptonized 7.10 Milk, Sour, fine curd 4.70 - 5.65 Milkfish 5.30 Mint Jelly 3.01 Molasses 4.90 - 5.40 Muscadine (A variety of grape) 3.20 - 3.40 Mushrooms 6.00 - 6.70 Mushrooms, cooked 6.00 - 6.22 Mushroom Soup, Cream of, canned 5.95 - 6.40 Mussels 6.00 - 6.85 Mustard 3.55 - 6.00 Nata De Coco 5.00 Nectarines 3.92 - 4.18 Noodles, boiled 6.08 - 6.50 Oatmeal, cooked 6.20 - 6.60 Octopus 6.00 - 6.50 Okra, cooked 5.50 - 6.60 Olives, black 6.00 - 7.00 Olives, green, fermented 3.60 - 4.60 Olives, ripe 6.00 -7.50 Onions, pickled 3.70 - 4.60 Onions, red 5.30 - 5.80 Onion white 5.37 - 5.85 Onions, yellow 5.32 - 5.60 Oranges, Florida 3.69 - 4.34 Oranges, Florida "color added" 3.60 - 3.90 Orange Juice, California 3.30 - 4.19 Orange, Juice Florida 3.30 - 4.15 Orange, Marmalade 3.00 - 3.33 Oysters 5.68 - 6.17 Oyster, smoked 6.00 Oyster mushrooms 5.00 - 6.00 Palm, heart of 6.70 Papaya 5.20 - 6.00 Papaya Marmalade 3.53 - 4.00 Parsley 5.70 - 6.00 Parsnip 5.30 - 5.70 Parsnips, cooked 5.45 - 5.65 Pate 5.90 Peaches 3.30 - 4.05 Peaches, canned 3.70 - 4.20 Peaches, cooked with sugar 3.55 - 3.72 Peaches, frozen 3.28 - 3.35 Peanut Butter 6.28 Peanut Soup 7.50 Pears, Bartlett 3.50 - 4.60 Pears, canned 4.00 - 4.07 Pears, Sickle cooked w/sugar 4.04 - 4.21 Pear Nectar 4.03 Peas, canned 5.70 - 6.00 Peas, Chick, Garbanzo 6.48 - 6.80 Peas, cooked 6.22 - 6.88 Peas, dried (split green), cooked 6.45 - 6.80 Peas, dried (split yellow), cooked 6.43 - 6.62 Peas, frozen, cooked 6.40 - 6.70 Peas, pureed 4.90 - 5.85 Pea Soup, Cream of, Canned 5.70 Peas, strained 5.91 - 6.12 Peppers 4.65 - 5.45 Peppers, green 5.20 - 5.93 Persimmons 4.42 - 4.70 Pickles, fresh pack 5.10 - 5.40 Pimiento 4.40 - 4.90 Pimento, canned, acidified 4.40 - 4.60 Pineapple 3.20 - 4.00 Pineapple, canned 3.35 - 4.10 Pineapple Juice, canned 3.30 - 3.60 Plum Nectar 3.45 Plums, Blue 2.80 - 3.40 Plums, Damson 2.90 - 3.10 Plums, Frozen 3.22 - 3.42 Plums, Green Gage 3.60 - 4.30 Plums, Green Gage, canned 3.22 - 3.32 Plums, Red 3.60 - 4.30 Plums, spiced 3.64 Plums, Yellow 3.90 - 4.45 Pollack, filet, broiled 6.72 - 6.82 Pomegranate 2.93 - 3.20 Porgy, broiled 6.40 - 6.49 Pork & Beans, rts. 5.70 Potatoes 5.40 - 5.90 Mashed 5.10 Sweet 5.30 - 5.60 Tubers 5.70 Potato Soup 5.90 Prune Juice 3.95 - 3.97 Prune, pureed 3.60 - 4.30 Prune, strained 3.58 - 3.83 Prunes, dried, stewed 3.63 - 3.92 Puffed Rice 6.27 - 6.40 Puffed Wheat 5.26 - 5.77 Pumpkin 4.90 - 5.50 Quince, fresh, stewed 3.12 - 3.40 Quince Jelly 3.70 Radishes, red 5.85 - 6.05 Radishes, white 5.52 - 5.69 Raisins, seedless 3.80 - 4.10 Rambutan (Thailand) 4.90 Raspberries 3.22 - 3.95 Raspberries, frozen 3.18 - 3.26 Raspberries, New Jersey 3.50 - 3.82 Raspberry Jam 2.87 - 3.17 Razor Clams 6.20 Razor shell (sea asparagus) 6.00 Rattan, Thailand 5.20 Red Ginseng 5.50 Red Pepper Relish 3.10 - 3.62 Rhubarb, California, stewed 3.20 - 3.34 Rhubarb 3.10 - 3.40 Canned 3.40 Rice (all cooked) Brown 6.20 - 6.80 Krispies 5.40 - 5.73 White 6.00 - 6.70 Wild 6.00 - 6.50 Rolls, white 5.46 - 5.52 Romaine 5.78 - 6.06 Salmon, fresh, boiled 5.85 - 6.50 Salmon, fresh, broiled 5.36 - 6.40 Salmon, Red Alaska, canned 6.07 - 6.16 Sardines 5.70 - 6.60 Sardine, Portuguese, in olive oil 5.42 - 5.93 Satay sauce 5.00 Sauce, Enchilada 5.50 Sauce, Fish 4.93 - 5.02 Sauce, Shrimp 7.01 - 7.27 Sauerkraut 3.30 - 3.60 Scallion 6.20 Scallop 6.00 Scotch Broth 5.92 Sea Snail (Top shell) 6.00 Shad Roe, sauted 5.70 - 5.90 Shallots, cooked 5.30 - 5.70 Sherbet, raspberry 3.69 Sherry-wine 3.37 Shredded Ralston 5.32 - 5.60 Shredded Wheat 6.05 - 6.49 Shrimp 6.50 - 7.00 Shrimp Paste 5.00 - 6.77 Smelts, Sauted 6.67 - 6.90 Soda Crackers 5.65 - 7.32 Soup Broccoli Cheese Suop, condensed 5.60 Chicken Broth, rts. 5.80 Corn Soup, condensed 6.80 Cream of celery Soup, condensed 6.20 Cream of Mushroom, condensed 6.00 - 6.20 Cream style corn, condensed 5.70 - 5.80 Cream of Potato soup, condensed 5.80 Cream of shrimp soup, condensed 5.80 Minestronen condensed 5.40 NE Clam Chowder, condensed 6.00 Oyster Stew, condensed 6.30 Tomato Rice Soup, condensed 5.50 Soy infant formula 6.60 - 7.00 Soy Sauce 4.40 - 5.40 Soy bean curd (tofu) 7.20 Soybean milk 7.00 Spaghetti, cooked 5.97 - 6.40 Spinach 5.50 - 6.80 Spinach, chopped 5.38 - 5.52 Spinach, cooked 6.60 - 7.18 Spinach, frozen, cooked 6.30 - 6.52 Spinach, pureed 5.50 - 6.22 Spinach, strained 5.63 - 5.79 Squash, acorn, cooked 5.18 - 6.49 Squash, Kubbard, cooked 6.00 - 6.20 Squash, white, cooked 5.52 - 5.80 Squash, yellow, cooked 5.79 - 6.00 Squid 6.00 - 6.50 Sturgeon 6.20 Strawberries 3.00 - 3.90 Strawberries, California 3.32 - 3.50 Strawberries, frozen 3.21 - 3.32 Strawberry Jam 3.00 - 3.40 Straw mushroom 4.90 Sweet Potatoes 5.30 - 5.60 Swiss Chard, cooked 6.17 - 6.78 Tamarind 6.00 Tangerine 3.32 - 4.48 Taro syrup 4.50 Tea 7.20 Three-Bean Salad 5.40 Tofu (soybean Curd) 7.20 Tomatillo (resembling Cherry tomatoes) 3.83 Tomatoes 4.30 - 4.90 Tomatoes, canned 3.50 - 4.70 Tomatoes, Juice 4.10 - 4.60 Tomatoes, Paste 3.50 - 4.70 Tomatoes, Puree 4.30 - 4.47 Tomatoes, Strained 4.32 - 4.58 Tomatoes, Wine ripened 4.42 - 4.65 Tomato Soup, Cream of, canned 4.62 Trout, Sea, sauted 6.20 - 6.33 Truffle 5.30 - 6.50 Tuna Fish, canned 5.90 - 6.20 Turnips 5.29 - 5.90 Turnip, greens, cooked 5.40 - 6.20 Turnip, white, cooked 5.76 - 5.85 Turnip, yellow, cooked 5.57 - 5.82 Vegetable Juice 3.90 - 4.30 Vegetable soup, canned 5.16 Vegetable soup, chopped 4.98 - 5.02 Vegetable soup, strained 4.99 - 5.00 Vermicelli, cooked 5.80 - 6.50 Vinegar 2.40 - 3.40 Vinegar, cider 3.10 Walnuts, English 5.42 Wax gourd drink 7.20 Water Chestnut 6.00 - 6.20 Watercress 5.88 - 6.18 Watermelon 5.18 - 5.60 Wheat Krispice 4.99 - 5.62 Wheatnena 5.85 - 6.08 Wheaties 5.00 - 5.12 Worcestershire sauce 3.63 - 4.00 Yams, cooked 5.50 - 6.81 Yeast 5.65 Yangsberries, frozen 3.00 - 3.70 Zucchini, cooked 5.69 - 6.10 Zwiebach 4.84 - 4.94

References:

Anon. 1962. pH values of food products. Food Eng. 34(3): 98-99.

Bridges, M. A., and Mattice, M.R. 1939. Over two thousand estimations of the pH of representative foods, American J. Digestive Diseases, 9:440-449.

Warren L. Landry and et al. 1995. Examination of canned foods. FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual, 8th Ed. Chapter 21, Table 11, AOAC International, Gaithersburg, MD 20877

Grahn M.A. 1984. Acidified and low acid foods from Southeast Asia. FDA-LIB

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