Acidic vs Alkaline: Difference and Comparison

There are normally two groups where the food is classified. They are classified as acidic and alkaline food groups.

The reason for these classifications of the food is because of the effect they cause on one’s urine’s pH level after they are consumed.

Therefore having too much acidic or too much alkaline food will have consequences like systematic acidosis that is caused due to excessively acidic food.

While excessive consumption of alkaline food might cause a severe stage of alkalosis, neither of them is good for one’s health.

Key Takeaways

1. Acidic substances have a pH value of less than 7, while alkaline substances have a pH value greater than 7.
2. A sour taste characterizes acidic substances and can cause corrosion, while a bitter taste characterizes alkaline substances and can cause skin irritation.
3. The pH level of a substance can affect its chemical properties and other substances.

Acidic vs Alkaline

Acidic are species of chemicals that have a pH level below 7, and Alkaline is a chemical solution that has pH levels above 7. Acids taste sour, and Alkaline is bitter in taste. Non-metal oxides are acidic when solved in water, while metal oxides are alkaline when solved in water.

Acids are basically species of chemicals that have a pH level that is below 7.

Major acidic food is- cranberries, blueberries, prunes, prune pasts, white bread, ice cream, wheat, pork, beef, peanuts, shellfish, string beans, beer, alcohol, walnuts, kidney beans, plums, rye bread, store bore juices, cold-water fish, eggs, brown rice, organ meats, pumpkin, honey, fatty dairy products, sunflower beans, lima beans, navy beans, pinto beans, canned fruits, oats, white rice, coffee, cashew, pistachio, wine, chicken, turkey.

Alkaline itself is a chemical solution that has a pH level that is more than 7.

Alkaline fruits are- watermelon, citrus, papaya, pears, mango, melons, grape, banana, kiwi, apples, avocados, peaches, cherries, and pineapples. Alkaline oils include- olive oil, grape seed oil, and canola oil.

There is a wide range of alkaline vegetables that are- spinach, tomato, cabbage, cauliflower, okra, broccoli, parsley, squash, green beans, celery, carrots, and lentils.

Comparison Table

Parameters of comparison	Acidic	Alkaline
pH level	Acids are basically species of chemicals that have a pH level that is below 7.	Alkaline itself is a chemical solution that has a pH level that is more than 7.
Household substances	Acidic household substances are- vinegar, fizzy drinks, and fruit juices.	Alkaline household substances are- milk of magnesia, toothpaste, and cleaning chemicals.
Water-soluble	Non-metal oxides are acidic when they are solved in water.	Metal oxides are alkaline when they are solved in water.
Taste	Acids taste sour.	Alkaline is bitter in taste.
Neutralization	Acids can be easily neutralized by the base.	Alkaline can be neutralized by acids.

What is Acidic?

Acids are basically species of chemicals that have a pH level that is below 7.

Major acidic food is- cranberries, blueberries, prunes, prune pasts, white bread, ice cream, wheat, pork, beef, peanuts, shellfish, string beans, beer, alcohol, walnuts, kidney beans, plums, rye bread, store bore juices, cold-water fish, eggs, brown rice, organ meats, pumpkin, honey, fatty dairy products, sunflower beans, lima beans, navy beans, pinto beans, canned fruits, oats, white rice, coffee, cashew, pistachio, wine, chicken, turkey.

Acidic food has a pH scale that stays less than 7. Knowing the level of the pH scale is very important while consuming food that is new to you and your body.

The acidic scale runs from the 0 levels to the 14 levels being the highest. Level 0-7 is the first half on the scale, while the upper half begins from 7.1-14.

What is Alkaline?

Alkaline itself is a chemical solution that has a pH level that is more than 7.

Alkaline fruits are- watermelon, citrus, papaya, pears, mango, melons, grape, banana, kiwi, apples, avocados, peaches, cherries, and pineapples. Alkaline oils include- olive oil, grape seed oil, and canola oil.

There is a wide range of alkaline vegetables that are- spinach, celery, carrots, lentils, okra, broccoli, parsley, squash, green beans, tomato, cabbage, and cauliflower.

Talking of the normal case scenario, a human body tends to stay at the pH level of 7.4, that is, through the mineral deposition and withdrawal from the bones and soft tissues of the human body.

According to specialists, it is said that out of the total food consumed by a person, 50%-80% of it should be from alkaline food. This is because to maintain a body’s equilibrium of acid.

Main Differences Between Acidic and Alkaline

1. The main difference between acid and alkaline is that Acids are basically species of chemical that have a pH level that is below 7, while Alkaline itself is a chemical solution that has a pH level that is more than 7.
2. Household substances that are acidic are- vinegar, fizzy drinks, and fruit juices, while Household substances that are alkaline are- milk of magnesia, toothpaste, and cleaning chemicals.
3. Non-metal oxides are acidic when they are solved in water, but Metal oxides are alkaline when they are solved in water.
4. Acids taste sour, whereas Alkaline is bitter in taste.
5. Acids can be easily neutralized by the base, while Alkaline can be neutralized by acids.
6. Examples of acidic food are- cranberries, blueberries, prunes, prune pasts, white bread, ice cream, wheat, pork, beef, peanuts, shellfish, string beans, beer, alcohol, walnuts, kidney beans, plums, rye bread, store bore juices, etc. while examples of alkaline food are- watermelon, citrus, papaya, pears, mango, melons, grape, banana, spinach, okra, broccoli, parsley, squash, green beans, celery, carrots, lentils, etc.

References

1. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1149/2.0271611jes/meta
2. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1149/2.0271611jes/meta