pH Level and Candida
Your pH level is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of your body. Although you might not realize it, pH is actually a major contributing factor to Candida overgrowth.
Many people with Candida problems are too acidic - the ideal environment for Candida to thrive and replicate. An alkaline state keeps the immune system strong and allows friendly bacteria to thrive in your gut.
See below for a full list of acid-forming foods that can affect your pH level.
Why is pH important?
A pH scale measure from 1 to 14. A pH level from 1-7 is considered acidic and from 7-14 is considered alkaline. The pH in your stomach is naturally more acidic, to break down and digest food. However, the pH level we normally measure is the pH of your body tissues and fluids. Here, 7.3 to 7.4 is the optimal pH level.
It is very important for Candidiasis sufferers to keep their bodies slightly alkaline. Candida, along with other nasty microorganisms like viruses and parasites, flourishes in the body when it is too acidic. Fortunately, by simply changing what you eat and drink you can adjust your pH levels. A few dietary changes will raise your pH levels of the body and can help get your Candida under control.
Candida overgrowth is not the only problem associated with a pH imbalance. If your diet is comprised of mostly acidic food, your body will try to rebalance itself back to an alkaline state. By doing so, the body takes calcium from your teeth and bones, putting you at risk for osteoporosis.
Is this a widespread problem?
The average American diet contains 80 percent acid-forming foods and 20 percent alkaline-forming foods, with an overall pH level of between 5.0 and 6.5. This is far too acidic and creates a great environment for the Candida yeast.
To maintain a healthy pH level we should be reversing those proportions, i.e. eating 80 percent alkaline-forming foods and 20 percent acid-forming foods.
Which foods should I eat to rebalance my pH level?
Now you are probably thinking "Great, more food that I have to avoid!". Well, fortunately a big chunk of the acid-forming food is on the Candida diet 'foods to avoid' list anyway. Cutting out coffee, alcohol, sugar and white flour products will naturally bring up your pH level, and be perfectly compliant with the Candida diet.
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So if you stick to the Candida diet strictly, are there any other foods that might increase your pH? Actually there is one group of acid-forming food that you should be a little careful with - animal products like eggs, fish, chicken, red meat etc. Although it might be tempting to fill your Candida diet with these animal products, you should try to balance them with lots of vegetables to prevent your pH from getting too acidic.
Regulating your meat intake is a good healthy eating habit anyway, as diets containing high amounts of meat have been linked to higher cancer and cardiovascular mortality rates. That doesn't mean that you should cut out meat completely - its just more healthful in small portions.
Try reducing your animal intake and replacing it with vegetables. Vegetables contain powerful antioxidants and improve energy levels by increasing the amount of oxygen in the body. They're loaded with detoxifying properties and rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and powerful antioxidants, all important stuff for keeping your immune system strong and your Candida under control.
Another tip for increasing oxygen and raising your pH levels is to do some deep breathing. Practice breathing deep down into your belly as often as you can, whenever you have a quiet moment in the office or at home. Cardiovascular exercise or even a brisk walk also encourages deeper breathing.
How do I test my pH level?
You can test your pH level with a pH test kit available at your nearest health food store or Amazon.com.
Why is this list different from the 'Foods to Eat/Avoid'?
There is a common confusion about these lists of alkaline- and acid-forming foods. Candida sufferers want to know, "If it's important to watch your pH level while on the Candida diet, why is are the lists of alkaline and acid foods different from the Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid?
The answer is that pH level is not the most important factor in your battle against Candida. You should always stick to the Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid if you can. However, you can give yourself a better chance of beating Candida if you get the mix of acid and alkaline foods right too.
Try to aim for a diet of 80% alkaline-forming foods and 20% acid-forming foods. Remember - this means that you don't need to go 100% alkaline, just make sure that the majority of your diet is alkaline-forming.
Also note that some of these foods are only permitted in Stage 3. Use a combination of these tables and the Foods to Eat/Avoid to keep your diet balanced and ensure that the Candida doesn't return.
Which foods are Acid-forming and Alkaline-forming?
Alkaline-forming Foods
These are the foods that will promote a more alkaline pH level in your body, slowing down or preventing a Candida overgrowth.
| Veggies A-K | Veggies L-Z | Fruits | Grains & Legumes | Nuts & Seeds | Herbs, Spices, Oils |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfalfa | Lettuce | Avocado | Chestnuts | Almonds | All Herbs |
| Asparagus | Leeks | Banana, unripe | Millet | Sesame seeds | Chili Pepper |
| Barley Grass | Mushrooms | Coconut, fresh | Buckwheat | Sunflower seeds | Cinnamon |
| Beet Greens | Mustard Greens | Lemon | Tempeh | Fennel seeds | Curry |
| Beets | Onions | Lime | Tofu | Caraway seeds | Ginger |
| Broccoli | Parsnips | Umeboshi Plums | Lima Beans | Cumin seeds | Mustard |
| Cabbage | Peas | Soya Beans | Sea Salt | ||
| Carrot | Peppers | Lentils | Olive Oil | ||
| Cauliflower | Pumpkin | Borage Oil | |||
| Celery | Radishes | Linseed (flaxseed oil) | |||
| Chard Greens | Rutabaga | Evening Primrose Oil | |||
| Chlorella | Sea Veggies | ||||
| Collard Greens | Spinach, green | ||||
| Cucumber | Spirulina | ||||
| Dandelions | Sprouts | ||||
| Dulce | Sweet Potatoes | ||||
| Edible Flowers | Turnip | ||||
| Eggplant | Tomatoes | ||||
| Garlic | Watercress | ||||
| Green Beans | Wheat Grass | ||||
| Green Peas | Wild Greens | ||||
| Horseradish | Zucchini | ||||
| Kale | |||||
| Kohlrabi |
Acid-forming Foods
These are the foods that will promote a more acidic pH level in your body, which can create a breeding ground for Candida. Scroll down for the second part of the table.
| Fruits | Grains & Legumes | Nuts & Seeds | Animal Protein | Vegetables |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | Amaranth | Cashews | All animal products | Corn |
| Apricot | Barley | Hazelnuts | Eggs | Olives |
| Banana Berries | Hemp Seed Flour | Macadamia | Dairy | |
| Blackberries | Kamut | Peanuts | Fish | |
| Cantaloupe | Oats and Oatmeal | Pecans | Poultry | |
| Currants | Quinoa | Pumpkin | Meat | |
| Dates, dried | Rye | Walnut | Game | |
| Figs, dried | Spelt | |||
| Grapes | Wheat and flour | |||
| Grapefruit | Black Beans | |||
| Honeydew Melon | Chick Peas | |||
| Nectarine | Kidney Beans | |||
| Orange | Pinto Beans | |||
| Peach | Red Beans | |||
| Pear | Rice Milk | |||
| Pineapple | White Beans | |||
| Raisins | ||||
| Raspberries | ||||
| Rhubarb | ||||
| Strawberries | ||||
| Tangerine | ||||
| Tropical Fruits | ||||
| Watermelon |
| Fats & Oils | Condiments | Beverages | Sweets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avocado Oil | Ketchup | Beer | Artificial Sweeteners |
| Butter | Mayonnaise | Wine | Barley Malt Syrup |
| Canola Oil | Mustard | Liquors | Brown Rice Syrup |
| Corn Oil | Soy Sauce | Coffee | Chocolate |
| Hemp Seed Oil | Vinegar | Tea (black) | Fructose |
| Safflower Oil | Honey | ||
| Sesame Oil | Malt Sweetener | ||
| Sunflower Oil | Molasses | ||
| White Sugar |
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About Candida |
Testing for Candida |
Candida Symptoms |
Reader Experiences |
Step 1: Detox |
Step 2: Elimination |
Step 3: Repopulation