What makes lemons acidic

Values below 7 are acidic, and values above 7 are called basic, or alkaline. Most drinking water usually sits between 6. Vinegar has a pH of 3, a cola drink around 2. On the other end of the scale, heavy duty cleaning products can have pH of 12—14 very alkaline.

The acid in lemon juice attacks tooth enamel, plus lemons contain a surprisingly high amount of natural sugars. While including lemons as part of a healthy diet is fine, dentists typically warn patients against sucking on lemons. Vitamin C-rich foods, such as lemon juice, aid in the absorption of some minerals.

Specifically, citrus fruits help the body absorb iron. Acidic nutrients such as protein, phosphorus, and sulfur increase the amount of acid the kidneys must filter out. Meats and grains, which tend to contain these nutrients, are therefore given a positive PRAL score 5. On the other hand, fruits and vegetables are high in alkaline nutrients such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

These ultimately reduce the amount of acid that the kidneys will need to filter out and are thus given a negative PRAL score 5. Like other fruits, lemon juice produces alkaline byproducts once it has been metabolized.

Therefore, it has a negative PRAL score. This is why some people consider lemon juice to be alkaline even though it has an acidic pH before it is digested. Once digested and metabolized, lemon juice produces alkaline byproducts, which make the urine more alkaline.

This is why some people think of it as alkalizing, despite its acidic pH before it is digested. Many proponents of the Alkaline Diet use pH test strips to check the alkalinity of their urine. They believe this helps them determine how alkaline their body truly is. What they do not realize is that while lemon juice may make the pH of your urine more alkaline, it does not have the same effect on the pH of your blood.

According to research reviews published in and , the foods you eat have a very limited effect on your blood pH 6 , 7. Foods have such limited effects on the pH of your blood because your body needs to maintain pH levels from 7. However, this rarely occurs, because your body is very good at preventing your blood pH values from falling outside the normal range. One of the ways it keeps the levels constant is by using your kidneys to filter out excess acids through your urine This is why your urine can become more acidic a couple of hours after you eat a large steak or less acidic after you follow a diet high in alkalizing foods 6 , 7.

Yet while the acidity of your urine can vary as a result of the foods you eat, the pH of your blood remains constant. Lemon juice may have an alkalizing effect on your urine. However, contrary to the premise of the Alkaline Diet, it has very little influence on the pH of your blood. Proponents of the Alkaline Diet seem to believe that the foods you eat can affect your health by influencing the pH of your blood.

They generally claim that alkalizing foods prevent bone loss and can prevent or treat cancer. However, as discussed above, this theory completely ignores the role your kidneys play in regulating the pH of your blood, among other methods your body uses to maintain pH 6 , 10 , Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter. Updated September 11, The acids in lemons are citric acid, which makes lemons tart, and ascorbic acid, which is vitamin C.

Because they are acidic and high in sugar, biting into lemons can damage tooth enamel. However, drinking lemon juice doesn't change body pH.

Featured Video. Cite this Article Format. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph. What Is the pH of Lemon Juice? List of the Strong Acids and Key Facts. Common Chemicals and Where to Find Them. How to Calculate the pH of a Weak Acid.