Alkalizing the Body is Oxygenating the Body

What I love about studying alkalizing foods is that it leads one to a whole food, plant-based diet. If you can’t bring yourself to eat plants for the benefit of the environment, the welfare of animals, or willingness to feed global people, then perhaps you could be convinced to eat a plant-based diet for the benefit of your long-term health.

Understandably the largest group opposing the acid-alkaline concept are those who align with the Paleolithic diet. Paleo adherents avoid dairy, grains, legumes, processed oils, refined sugar or salt, coffee, and alcohol. The bulk of their diet is based on animal meat, eggs, non-starchy vegetables, non-starchy fruit, and unprocessed fats. While I support the omission of the non-Paleo foods, ethically and environmentally I can not support the inclusion of any animal foods especially with an understanding of the the acid-inflammation correlation.

The human body is approximately 65% water (H20) which is composed of hydrogen and oxygen. An alkaline diet is one that supports the body’s natural blood pH (potential of Hydrogen) of approximately 7.4 or slightly alkaline. When there is an equal proportion of oxygen and hydrogen, then the pH is neutral or 7.0 on the pH scale which ranges from 1 to 14. When there is more oxygen than hydrogen, the water is alkaline and measures between 7.1 and 14. When there is more hydrogen than oxygen, the water is acidic and measures between 6.9 and 1.

The pH scale is logarithmic which indicates that pH 7.0 means there is ten times more oxygen available to cells than pH 6.0 and 100 times more available oxygen than pH 5.0. (source) Pathogens thrive in acidic, anaerobic environments which lack oxygen. Unhealthy bacteria, yeast, and fungi can not survive in an alkaline environment.

Our bodies are composed of approximately 70% water. Approximately 60-65% of that water is contained within the cells (in intracellular fluid) with the other 35-40% of body water contained outside the cells (in extracellular fluid). This fluid component outside of the cells includes the fluid between the cells (interstitial fluid), lymph fluid, and blood.

Blood pH and lymph fluid pH rarely change. A 150 pound adult has approximately 22 pounds of lymph fluid and 14 pounds of blood. The cardiovascular system is the internal super highway for red blood cells. The lymphatic system in the internal super highway for white blood cells. They both exchange fluids within the tissues of the body. The cardiovascular system is pumped by the heart muscle. The lymphatic system is dependent on the pumping action of moving muscles, gravitational exchanges (trampoline), or massage for fluid circulation.

One way to increase the oxygen content of our bodies is to breathe in fresh, clean air (O2). Another way is to eat highly oxygenated, water-dense foods and drink pure, clean water. The average American on the Standard American Diet has lymph pH 6.2. This is a 94% decrease in oxygen from the ideal lymph pH of 7.4! (source)

When the overall body is in an alkaline state, it converts free radicals to harmless water and oxygen. A free radical is any atom or molecule that has a single unpaired electron on an outer shell. Free radicals are generally highly reactive and unstable. An overabundance of free radicals and free radical damage is associated with oxidative damage or stress which causes chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation can lead to many illnesses including asthma, allergies, autoimmune disorders, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

Normal acidic by-products from respiration, metabolism, cellular breakdown, and exercise create free radicals that the body is designed to naturally eliminate. However cigarette smoke, air pollution, pesticides and other environmental chemicals, over-the-counter, prescription, and recreational drugs, toxic food additives, and excessive lifestyle stress create substantial free radical production which the body is not naturally able to combat effectively. Acidic diets of meat, processed foods, dairy, sugar, and alcohol create free radical overload. Animal-fat, plant-fat, and cooked foods contain very little water and therefore very little oxygen.

Earthing – walking barefoot on the beach or park or leaning up against a tree – can help neutralize free radicals. Negatively charged electrons on the Earth’s crust flow into the body through any skin contact.

Antioxidants in food help to prevent and halt free radical assaults. Vitamins A, B, C and E from whole foods, not supplements, in the diet, together with selenium, bio-flavonoids, beta-carotene (a precursor of Vitamin A in the body), zinc and other minerals, phytonutrients, and compounds are known to be capable of either preventing free radicals from forming or protecting the body from damage once free radicals have formed. Antioxidants slow the aging process by slowing DNA damage.

According to Dr. Greger plant foods have on average 64 times more antioxidant power than red meat, poultry, fish, dairy, and eggs. Even lowly iceberg lettuce has more oxidative benefit than fish (including salmon), chicken, hard boiled egg, EggBeaters, Coca Cola, cows milk, yogurt, or soy milk.

The human body needs alkalizing minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium as well as trace minerals like zinc, selenium, manganese, iodine, chromium, and copper to make enzymes, proteins, hormones, and neurotransmitters. Minerals like sulfur and phosphorus contribute to body acidity.


(Image above used with permission by TheAlkalineDiet.org. Click HERE to see the full chart.)

When the acid overload gets too high for the blood, the body dumps the acid out of the bloodstream and into the lymphatic system, joints, arteries, and fat cells causing chronic inflammation is those areas and systems.

Chronic inflammation is highly destructive to the human body and has been indicated as a common denominator of many diseases. Chronic inflammation is caused by an over-abundance of free radicals. A naturally low-fat plant-based diet full of raw, water-dense, whole plant foods is ideal for combatting free radicals and establishing an alkaline internal body environment. Get started eating this way with a free session of Fruit Til Five™!

Additional Resources

• The Easiest Food Formula to Follow
• Choosing the Safest Fats, Carbs, and Proteins
• Fruit Over Forks Over Knives
• Is Eating Meat Selfish?
• How Much Water Do You Have to Drink to “Undo” a Cola?
• Acidic & Alkaline Attitudes

{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }

Angie Johnson February 3, 2015 at 9:09 am

Great post carla! You break down these nutritional concepts in an understandable way every time. Visuals are great as well 🙂

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Carla Golden February 3, 2015 at 2:42 pm

Thank you Angie! That’s my goal! xoxo.

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Amy Caruthers February 3, 2015 at 2:08 pm

Wasn’t able to read the bottle on the last chart ( under the heading 9, and below ionized alkaline water.). It appears to say coffee? Thanks!

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Carla Golden February 3, 2015 at 2:58 pm

It looks like is reads Coffee Drops or some such product someone was promoting.

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Peg April 25, 2015 at 8:05 pm

Did you write this and produce the charts, Carla? What are your sources? I’m skeptical of the chart which shows most bottled water as more acidic than tap water. Not saying it’s not true. I just want to know the source of the information. Thanks.

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Carla Golden April 26, 2015 at 1:12 pm

Hi Peg, no these are not my charts. I pulled them off the internet and I chose a variety because these acid-alkaline charts tend to vary. Bottled waters that have been purified or distilled in any way contain less alkalizing minerals than tap water making them more acidic and tap water has alkalizing minerals added. The chart reads: “municipalities adjust tap water to be +/- 7.3 pH by using Chlorine to keep the pH high enough to eliminate any bacterial growth, etc..” Hope this additional info helps!

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paul spivack May 8, 2015 at 4:47 pm

Carla, this is a complicated subject and I must admit I’m a bit confused. Am I right in summarizing that eating foods that are alkaline and with more antioxidents creates a healthier and less inflammatory body? How does something like a lemon, which is acidic become alkalizing in the body? I eat lots of avocados, mostly for the omega 3, which is anti-inflammatory (I think) but according to a your chart is acid producing. So are avocados inflammatory or anti-inflammatory?

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Carla Golden May 8, 2015 at 5:58 pm

Lemons are acidic outside the body but have a great alkalizing effect inside the body.Yes an alkaline diet containing many antioxidants (Vit A, C, E primarly) is healthful and anti-inflammatory.

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paul spivack May 8, 2015 at 4:52 pm

woops, I read it wrong, avocados ARE alkaline! I’ll continue eating and loving them. (Although I found that too much can be taxing on my digestive system) I think my system has slowed its ability to digest fats)

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paul spivack May 8, 2015 at 5:09 pm

Your enzyme page says properly soaking grains will neutralize enzyme inhibitors. I frequently eat oatmeal. I have been cooking them just to a boil, but perhaps it would be better to soak them and eat them raw. Anything else I should know about this?

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Carla Golden May 8, 2015 at 5:56 pm
paul spivack May 9, 2015 at 6:54 am

so now I can soak my whole grain rice, too. Is whole grain rice the same as brown rice? By the way, Carla, I completely gave up eating bread and gave my toaster away. Horay for me!

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Carla Golden May 9, 2015 at 12:16 pm

I believe a whole grain rice is any unadulterated rice like brown, black, green, or red rices. That’s awesome about the no bread & toaster!

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paul spivack May 8, 2015 at 5:18 pm

Papaya and Pineapple are enzyme rich! (just learned it) Horray for a tropical diet!

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Carla Golden May 8, 2015 at 5:53 pm

Yes indeed! Eat up!

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Katie June 4, 2015 at 10:18 pm

Hi Carla,

Great article. A couple questions. First, can you please explain why alkaline/acid charts vary so much? Second, I’ve read about Dr Young who has tested the blood (through live blood analysis) of over 40,000 people and has seen first hand the effect different foods have on the body. According to some articles I’ve read, his findings are the most relevant to the effect foods have on our pH levels. His classification of acid/alkaline foods say that most fruits (besides avocado, tomato, lemon, lime, grapefruit, and coconut, and pomegranate) are acidic. Can you please speak to this?

Thank you!

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Carla Golden June 5, 2015 at 4:48 pm

Hi Katie,

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. These pH charts vary so much because food & testing isn’t always the same. Some may use raw food, some cooked food. Minerals in soil create different degrees of pH in food. Foods grown in different regions are influenced by different soils and fertilizers. Some are organically grown foods, some are not. There are so many variables and testers set different criteria. It’s similar to food calorie charts. There are some “official” ones that are used often, but calorie count can vary with foods too.

I think Dr. Young is a leader in the field of pH though many doctors and scientist dismiss this nutritional approach. Yes, many fruits are acid forming in the body and it’s dependent on their water and mineral content. To be more specific than that, I would resource Dr. Young’s website. He knows far more on the topic than I do. Knowing food pH is important, but not the only criteria by which to choose food. Keeping a low fat whole food plant based diet is critical. Choosing high fat alkalizing foods is not always the best choice. Some whole food plant based fats (nuts, seeds, avocado) are essential in the diet but only about 10% of daily calories. And I’m sure food pH changes when food is cooked or steamed. Use pH charts as a general philosophy and see the common patterns among different charts, and use the information as one of many tools in your food choice tool box. Hope this helps!

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Katie June 5, 2015 at 6:33 pm

Hi Carla,

Thank you for your response. That helps clear it up a lot. I have one followup question, if you don’t mind. I watched the documentary “Forks Over Knives” and became a vegan overnight. In further researching vegan options, I came across Doug Graham’s 80/10/10 diet and decided to commit to the 80/10/10 raw vegan lifestyle to try to clear up multiple health issues that I currently have. I see that you follow this diet, or at least something similar, as well. The reason I asked about the pH of raw fruits is because fruit is the primary fuel on 80/10/10. Do you have any concerns about consuming so much fruit if some fruits are acid-forming? Do you avoid any fruits in your diet any particular because they are acid-forming? Is the 80/10/10 diet considered an alkaline diet?

Thanks so much!

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Nancy Mueller June 9, 2015 at 4:42 am

This post is worth noting, I may print this because of the diagram/images above that are truly informative. Apart from the diseases that you have mentioned, schizophrenia has been linked to chronic inflammation due to the free-radical. I only knew now that free radicals are really detrimental in our body that should be prevented by eating fruits and veggies that are rich in Vitamin C / or have anti-oxidant properties. Furthermore, the study has shown that vegetables had the most protective effect, salad was next and then fruit. We should also prohibit ourselves drinking/eating canned fruit because seemingly, it increases the health risk because of its stored syrup. Truly helpful!
Nancy Mueller recently posted..Your Checklist to a Healthy LifeMy Profile

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Carla Golden June 9, 2015 at 6:24 pm

Hi Nancy, yes Vitamins A, C, and E are powerful antioxidants and are found in abundance in the plant kingdom. Thank you for taking the time to read & comment!

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Kimberly March 4, 2016 at 12:02 pm

Hi Carla! I love how you broke it all down so that everyone can understand the importance a more alkaline body! I represent a health company with plant based supplements and one of ours actually oxygenates and energizes the body, among other benefits. I’m so happy that people out there are beginning to take notice of the importance of proper gut health and getting back to a more alkaline state!! I’ll be sharing your info!

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Carla Golden March 5, 2016 at 10:57 am

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment Kimberly!

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Julija May 23, 2016 at 4:23 pm

Dear, Carla,

I have recently turned into vegan due to the acidic lifestyle as I am a young mum and was breastfeeding for a long time, had a lack of rest, vitamins and peaceful atmosphere. Nobody could not figure out what was wrong with me, a was so tired, physically and emotionally exhausted, had metal taste and growing fungal infection in my throat – which I found out only via long term medical investigations (all other organs and functions went moderately well). Nevertheless, I exercised and I ate enough fruit and veggies, I had no idea, that at the same time while consuming diary, meat (even lean one), sugar I was ruining and acidising my body so much – that doctors could not help me and figure out what was wrong. But my own investigations as well as your very much informative blog finally explained everything. Nevertheless, the main acidiser for me was stress, I also ate mostly acidically.

No I am changing my lifestyle (I always liked veggies and fruit very much), so it is not so difficult, bet some specialities still exist, so thank you a lot for useful guidance for the vegan beginners and sharing your own experience. I really appreciate it.

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Carla Golden May 24, 2016 at 6:21 pm

I am so happy to hear that you have found some answers for yourself Julija and that you are on a path to healing. Thank you so much for taking the time to read & comment!

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Michael July 29, 2018 at 4:59 pm

Hello, Calra! It’s a great post! Many thanks for providing so much useful infographics! I fully agree with everything you said, and have learned a lot too. Personally, I have been drinking only alkaline water for a while, and I make it with the help of a special alkaline water pitcher. And now, thanks to your article, I know more about alkaline foods.

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Chittam Ushashree May 7, 2021 at 2:53 pm

It’s a great job 👏👏👏Respected 🙏Carla Mam

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brian brandt December 24, 2021 at 3:00 pm

” When there is an equal proportion of oxygen and hydrogen, then the pH is neutral or 7.0 on the pH scale which ranges from 1 to 14. When there is more oxygen than hydrogen, the water is alkaline and measures between 7.1 and 14. When there is more hydrogen than oxygen, the water is acidic and measures between 6.9 and 1.”
I can’t even begin to explain how completely wrong this is. It shows a complete ignorance of both chemistry and biology. Unbelievable. The only remotely true part is “ranges from 1 to 14”, and that’s actually not true either.

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Carla Golden December 24, 2021 at 5:45 pm

Rather than aim to shame, please educate. Help me to understand this topic better and I will correct the blog post.

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Charlie February 28, 2022 at 3:00 pm

I was just looking to see where you had sources to back up the claims you’re making. What sort of research did you do in order to come to these conclusions? Did you talk to nutritionists before posting this information? Was just curious to see, thanks.

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Carla Golden February 28, 2022 at 4:36 pm

Sources are linked in the article. I am a nutritionist. What can I help you with in particular?

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