What Happens When Your pH is Too Acidic?

November 19, 2025 •

4 min read

Overproduction of acid or excessive loss of bicarbonate can cause blood pH to drop below the optimal range of 7.35–7.45, a condition known as acidosis. When your pH is too acidic, it forces the body to pull alkaline minerals from bones and vital organs to neutralize the acid, impacting overall health.

Quick Summary

Acidosis occurs when your body's pH falls below the healthy range, disrupting cellular function and putting a strain on organs like the kidneys and lungs. This imbalance can trigger numerous health problems, from weakened bones to digestive issues and chronic fatigue, if left unaddressed. Lifestyle and dietary factors significantly influence your body’s pH balance and its effects.

Key Points

Acidosis weakens body systems: Excess acidity forces the body to deplete its alkaline mineral reserves, weakening vital organs and bones over time.
Causes of metabolic acidosis vary: Uncontrolled diabetes, kidney disease, lactic acid buildup, severe diarrhea, and poor diet can all contribute to an overly acidic state.
Symptoms range from fatigue to confusion: Common signs of an acidic pH include chronic fatigue, headache, nausea, shallow breathing, and mental fogginess.
Long-term effects are systemic: Persistent acidosis can lead to bone density loss (osteoporosis), weakened immunity, digestive problems, and cardiovascular issues.
Diet and lifestyle are key to balance: Consuming an alkaline-rich diet of fruits and vegetables, staying hydrated, and managing stress are crucial for restoring pH balance.
Serious complications are possible: Severe acidosis can lead to shock, coma, and death if not addressed promptly and properly.

The Science of pH Balance in the Body

The human body is a marvel of biological engineering, meticulously maintaining a delicate acid-base balance, or pH level, in its fluids. The pH scale ranges from 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline), with 7 being neutral. For blood, the normal range is slightly alkaline, between 7.35 and 7.45. Even slight deviations outside this narrow window can have significant health consequences, a state called acidosis (when pH is too acidic) or alkalosis (when pH is too alkaline). While certain areas like the stomach are naturally acidic to aid digestion, systemic pH balance is crucial for overall health.

How the Body Compensates for Excess Acidity

When faced with an increase in acidity, the body employs sophisticated buffer systems to neutralize the acid and restore balance. The primary buffering systems involve the kidneys and lungs. The kidneys excrete more acid in the urine, while the lungs increase the rate and depth of breathing to expel more carbon dioxide, which is acidic when dissolved in blood. However, if these systems are overwhelmed, the body resorts to a more damaging compensatory mechanism: borrowing alkaline minerals. It leaches minerals like calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium from bones and vital organs to buffer the excess acid. This process can be detrimental over the long term, weakening bones and affecting organ function.

Common Causes of Metabolic Acidosis

While respiratory acidosis is caused by poor lung function leading to CO2 buildup, metabolic acidosis can result from a variety of metabolic and lifestyle factors. These include:

Poorly controlled diabetes (Diabetic ketoacidosis): When the body lacks sufficient insulin, ketones build up, making the blood acidic.
Kidney disease (Renal tubular acidosis): The kidneys fail to excrete sufficient acid into the urine.
Lactic acidosis: An excessive buildup of lactic acid, which can be caused by chronic alcohol use, heart failure, or prolonged lack of oxygen.
Loss of bicarbonate: Conditions like severe diarrhea or vomiting can cause the body to lose too much of this base.
Dietary imbalances: A diet high in refined, acidic foods and low in nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables can contribute to chronic low-grade acidity.
Emotional stress and toxic overload: These factors can increase the production of acidic waste in the body.

Long-Term Effects on Body Systems

A persistently acidic environment can wreak havoc on nearly every bodily system. The consequences range from uncomfortable symptoms to serious chronic diseases.

Digestive System

Excess acidity disrupts the optimal function of cells in the stomach and small intestine, impairing digestion and nutrient absorption. This can lead to gas, bloating, indigestion, and constipation. The gut microbiome, which thrives in a slightly acidic to neutral environment, can also be disrupted, potentially leading to leaky gut and inflammatory conditions.

Musculoskeletal System

The chronic leaching of calcium and other alkaline minerals from bones can significantly reduce bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, weakened vertebrae, and fractures. The deposition of these calcium-acid salts in joints can also contribute to degenerative arthritis.

Immune System

An acidic environment can compromise immune cell function, hindering the production of antibodies and cytokines necessary for fighting off infections. This leaves the body more vulnerable to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections.

Cardiovascular System

Acidosis can damage the inner walls of arteries and veins, potentially leading to plaque formation. The resulting stiffness and narrowing of arteries can cause high blood pressure, increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and contribute to irregular heart rhythms.

Nervous System

When brain cells become too acidic, their function is impaired. This can manifest as insomnia, anxiety, depression, confusion, and memory impairment. In severe cases, it can lead to coma and death if left untreated.

Comparing Healthy vs. Acidic pH Effects


Feature	Healthy, Slightly Alkaline pH (7.35–7.45)	Unhealthy, Too Acidic pH (<7.35)
Cellular Function	Optimal energy production (ATP) and communication.	Impaired energy production and reduced communication.
Bone Health	Strong, dense bones with proper mineral retention.	Demineralization, osteoporosis, and increased fracture risk.
Immune Response	Robust, efficient immune cell activity.	Weakened immune system, increased susceptibility to infection.
Digestive Health	Efficient digestion, healthy gut microbiome.	Indigestion, bloating, leaky gut, and microbial imbalances.
Energy Levels	High and stable energy production.	Chronic fatigue, low energy, and muscle weakness.
Mental State	Clear thinking, stable mood.	Confusion, anxiety, depression, and memory issues.

Restoring and Maintaining pH Balance

Returning the body to a state of balance involves addressing the root causes of excess acidity, which often relate to diet and lifestyle. Strategies include:

Adopt an alkaline-rich diet: Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens while reducing acid-forming foods like processed items, refined sugars, and excessive meat.
Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water, especially mineral-rich varieties, aids the kidneys in flushing out acidic waste.
Manage stress: Chronic stress increases acidic toxins in the body. Mindfulness, exercise, and adequate sleep can help.
Support kidney and lung health: Regular exercise and proper hydration are crucial for supporting the body’s natural buffering systems.

Conclusion

Maintaining a balanced, slightly alkaline pH is fundamental to overall health and vitality. When your pH is too acidic, it can trigger a cascade of systemic issues, from bone demineralization and compromised immune function to metabolic disturbances and psychological symptoms. While the body has robust mechanisms to cope with temporary imbalances, chronic acidity due to diet, stress, or underlying conditions requires proactive management. By understanding the causes and symptoms of acidosis, individuals can make informed lifestyle and dietary choices to support their body’s natural balance and prevent more serious, long-term complications. If you are concerned about persistent symptoms of acidosis, consulting a healthcare professional is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

For Further Reading:

The MSD Manuals offer comprehensive medical information on acid-base balance and acidosis.(https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/hormonal-and-metabolic-disorders/acid-base-balance/acidosis)

Frequently Asked Questions

The most accurate way to measure systemic acidity is by testing your blood pH, which would show a reading below 7.35. However, persistent symptoms like fatigue, digestive issues, and joint pain can indicate an underlying pH imbalance.

Yes, diet plays a significant role in your body's pH balance. While the body has excellent regulatory systems, a diet high in acid-forming foods like processed items, sugar, and certain meats, combined with a low intake of alkaline-forming fruits and vegetables, can contribute to chronic low-grade acidity.

Metabolic acidosis occurs when the body produces too much acid or loses too much base, often originating in the kidneys. Respiratory acidosis happens when the lungs cannot properly expel carbon dioxide, leading to a buildup of acid in the blood.

You can use pH strips to test your saliva or urine, though these provide only a general indication and are not as accurate as a blood test. For serious concerns, a medical diagnosis is necessary.

Yes. When the body needs to neutralize excess acid, it draws alkaline minerals, primarily calcium, from the bones. Over time, this chronic demineralization can lead to osteoporosis and weakened bone structure.

Besides diet, factors like chronic stress, toxic overload, and a sedentary lifestyle can increase acidic waste products in the body. Insufficient oxygenation from poor breathing can also be a contributing factor.

Chronic acidosis can damage the inner walls of blood vessels, contributing to plaque buildup and stiffening of arteries. This can increase blood pressure and the risk of heart attacks and strokes over time.