We put a lot of things into our body every day: coffee, water, grains, meat, fruit, vegetables, sugars, starches. Everything that goes into our bodies has a place on the pH scale, which ranges from acidic (levels 0-6), neutral (7.0), or alkaline (8-14). Ideally, your body’s pH level should be neutral: represented by a 7.0 on a pH scale.

Most coffee typically has a pH level at or about 4.0: that is, they are very acidic. Pure, clean tap water is neutral (7.0), while sodas are typically in the 2.0-3.0 range. The more acidic things you put in to your body, the more irritated your stomach and intestinal tract may become. In other words: the more acidic food and beverage your consume, the more off balance your body’s pH level can become.

What does this have to do with your health? High levels of acidity in your body can impact your immune system, as well as a sharp decrease in energy. Too much acid in your body can also lead to bone degeneration. For people with gastrointestinal problems, too much acid in their diet can cause severe discomfort or other more serious consequences. People who suffer from too much acid in their diet may find themselves turning to antacids to alleviate discomforts.

It’s easy to harm your body by putting too much acid into your system: a cup of coffee or two in the morning, a soda with lunch, a glass of wine with dinner. All of these beverages increase your body’s acid levels and adjust your natural pH level. You can combat a high pH level with simple dietary changes. Instead of having a soda for lunch, try a glass of water with lemon. If you can’t resist a bull bodied Merlot with your dinner, add some asparagus, zucchini, or bell peppers to your dinner. Adjusting your meals to be an even balance between acidic and alkaline is easy. Most people eat a balanced diet without much conscious thought.

Here’s some food for thought: most table wines have a pH level of 3.3 to 3.7, while coffee typically ranges from 4.0 to 5.0, depending on the roast. Wine is seldom enjoyed without an appetizer or meal of sorts, which can help to offset its acidic pH level.

But what about your morning cup of coffee? How many people are guilty of running out of the house with just a cup of coffee in tow? Skipping breakfast and drinking coffee takes away your opportunity to return your body’s pH level to its neutral zone. By adding an alkaline food to your breakfast, you can alleviate the problems caused by drinking coffee alone.

Sometimes pairing coffee with food simply isn’t an option. What if you’re just not a breakfast person? Or what if you enjoy coffee as a mid-morning treat? Do you give up your mid-morning treat or your early morning jolt? Do you deal with the discomfort by taking antacids?

Instead of making a sacrifice, you can try drinking low acid coffee. Drinking a low acid coffee can help contribute to bringing your body back to its neutral pH level. According to Dr. Shibamoto at the University of California at Davis, Puroast Low Acid Coffee is only a 5.8 on the pH scale. Our pH level is significantly lower than other coffees that claim to be low acid: other brands are 3.5 to 5 times greater than Puroast. Puroast is real coffee, freshly roasted using gourmet arabica beans and a patented process that relies on 90% sustainable energy. Next time you get that mid-morning stomach lurch, think about what you had for breakfast that morning: your body may be telling you something. Give Puroast a try and your body will thank you!

For more information on the pH level of foods, you can check out the Better Bones website and their lists of acidic and alkaline foods.