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The Effect of Figs and Small Amounts of Raisins on Urinary Acidity

(From the Fruit Products Laboratory, University of California, College of Agriculture, Berkeley)

Experiments with men subjects on a basal diet and on the same basal supplemented by Thompson seedless raisins and Calimyrna white figs are reported. The following results were observed when the raisins or figs were added to the basal ration.

1. A ration of 105 grams of raisins in bread produced fifty to sixty per cent as great an increase in the pH of the urine as did 300 grams of raisins. The increase produced by the 105 grams ranged from 0.45 to 0.60 pH units. Three hundred grams of figs produced an increase in the pH of the urine ranging from 0.9 to 1.1 pH units. This change was slightly greater than that produced by an equal weight of raisins.

2. A decrease in the ammonia excreted with a corresponding decrease in the total acidity was noted. The 300 grams of figs produced a greater decrease than 105 grams of raisins and also a slightly greater decrease than an equal weight (300 grams) of raisins.

3. There was an increase of the alkaline reserve, calculated according to the method of Fitz and Van Slyke (2), above the normal for each subject the greater increase being produced by the figs.

4. A correlation between the alkalinity of the ash and the physiological reaction was apparent. A more basic body reaction was associated with higher alkalinity of the ash.

5. The organic acids from 105 grams of raisins daily were completely oxidized by the body, whereas those from 300 grams were only 92.8 per cent oxidized. However, the organic acids from 300 grams of figs were oxidized to the extent of 97.5 per cent.

The writer wishes to express his appreciation of the interest and advice of Dr. W. V. Cruess, upon whose suggestion this study was initiated. The full cooperation of the men taking a part in the diets is gratefully acknowledged.