Evaluation of pH levels in some common carbohydrate food items consumed by communities in the Central Senatorial District of Cross River State, South-South of Nigeria

Abstract

This work evaluates and provides data on the seasonal pH of common carbohydrate food sources in major communities of central senatorial districts of Cross River State. The result shows that most of the locally consumed food items within these zones are mostly acidic within a mean value of pH of 4.6 and conductivity of 48.6 Siemens for the wet season and pH of 4.8 and conductivity of 27.4 for the dry season which causes a lot of ailments. A balance diet or a combination of food substances to keep an optimal body pH balance is recommended so as to discourage the growth of microforms and organisms which give rise to these problems. It is recommended also that other non-carbohydrate food items such as proteins and vegetables be increased in the menu, or the starchy content of food substances can be reduced during the manufacturing process by manufacturing companies. Government can legislate and monitor these companies to comply with such standards as to improve the health conditions of the rural communities and other consumers. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2009.