How to Tell If Your Body Is Acidic or Alkaline
Your body's acidity or alkalinity may be a symptom of an underlying illness. You can find out if your body is acidic or alkaline by measuring its pH. The pH scale ranges from 0, which is very acidic, to 14, which is very basic. Pure water has a pH of 7, which is completely neutral. A healthy pH is neutral or slightly alkaline at approximately 7.0 to 7.2. Testing the pH of your urine will reveal the presence of any unusual acidity or alkalinity, which may indicate that your kidneys are working hard to neutralize your blood.
Step 1
Wait until you have urinated once or twice before capturing your urine for testing. Morning urine typically contains more particulates, as it has been collecting in your bladder for a longer period of time.
Step 2
Capture the middle of your urine flow in your plastic cup for testing. Both the beginning and end of a urine stream will contain different levels of particulates, so capturing the middle of your flow is important in collecting an accurate sample.
Step 3
Tear off a one inch strip from your roll of litmus paper. Submerge one end of the litmus paper in the urine, and hold it for approximately five seconds.
Step 4
Remove the litmus paper from your urine and compare its color to the chart printed on the roll of litmus paper. The color may vary between yellow and dark blue, indicating a pH between 4.5 and 9.0. Ideally, the litmus paper will turn bluish green, which indicates a pH around 7.0 to 7.2.
Step 5
Test two more times during the day, ideally once in the morning, once in the afternoon and once in the evening. Average your results for the most accurate pH reading, as the body's pH fluctuates throughout the day.
Things You'll Need
Plastic cup
Litmus paper
Tip
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Acidic urine is associated with xanthine, cystine, uric acid and calcium oxalate stones. Alkaline urine is associated with calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate and magnesium phosphate stones."
Warning
Only a doctor can properly analyze your urinary pH to make a proper diagnosis. Do not make dietary alterations or medical determinations based on your urinary pH without input from a physician.
