A diet that includes too many acid-producing foods, such as protein or sugar, can cause acidity in your urine as well as other negative health effects. This may cause a type of kidney stone called uric acid stones to form.

It’s been speculated that too much acidity can also cause bone and muscle deterioration. This is because bones contain calcium, which your body uses to restore your blood’s pH balance when it becomes too acidic.

Some evidence suggests that phosphoric acid, commonly found in darker sodas, is linked to lower bone density, especially when it replaces milk, a calcium- and protein-rich beverage. Too much acidity can also increase your risk for cancer, liver problems, and heart disease.

Some foods and beverages produce less acid than sodas or protein, but they still don’t provide the major alkalizing effect of most fruits and vegetables. Experts don’t always agree on the exact food lists.

Aim to limit these foods since they may be affecting your acid-base balance or affecting your health in negative ways:

corn oil
sweeteners, such as sugar, molasses, maple syrup, processed honey, and aspartame
salt
condiments, such as mayonnaise, soy sauce, and vinegar
hard and processed cheeses
grains, such as corn, rice, and wheat
coffee
If you’re worried about acid wearing down bone, you can take small amounts of sodium bicarbonate. University of California, San Diego, researchers suggest doses that are less than 5 grams.

You shouldn’t take sodium bicarbonate during mealtimes because it can interfere with your digestion. Getting enough dietary calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, and magnesium may also be helpful for offsetting the negative effects of acid on your bone.

The alkaline diet is a healthy alternative that may work due more to the emphasis on consuming plants and limiting processed foods than to changing the body’s pH.

Eating more fruits and vegetables, along with curbing your refined carbohydrate, sugar, and dairy intake, may or may not help balance pH levels within your body.

Either way, a plant-heavy diet with reduced refined sugar intake has many health benefits and may reduce daily issues and lower the possibility of certain long-term health risks.