People often think of blueberries as acidic, but in reality, they are only slightly acidic. A food’s acidity or alkalinity is calculated on a pH scale. A pH level below 7 indicates an acid; the smaller the number, the more acidic. A pH above 7 is alkaline; the larger the number, the more alkaline it is.
Blueberries are slightly acidic and not recommended for people suffering from acid reflux or other issues related to stomach acid. However, blueberries are not as acidic as citrus fruits, nor are they the most acidic berries. Their acidity can be neutralized if paired with common dairy products.
Blueberries range from 3 to 4 when tested using litmus paper, which measures pH levels based on human hair samples. Human hair has a neutral pH of 6.5-7.0, so anything with a pH higher than that would be slightly alkaline. This means that blueberries are very slightly alkaline. Some people who eat a raw food diet that consists primarily of fruits and veggies report that they can taste the alkalinity of their favorite foods.
So while blueberries are not acidic on their own, if you mix them with something else that is acid-forming, like grains or dairy products, their net effect in the body becomes more pro-acidic.
By themselves, blueberries can neutralize free radicals, protect against oxidative stress and help fight cancer. It is even possible to treat leukemia with an extract from wild blueberry juice; studies show it lengthens survival time for patients by up to 76%.
The benefits of wild blueberry juice are due to its high antioxidant content. Anthocyanins, the compounds in berries that give them their color, have reduced oxidative stress by inhibiting free radicals. They can also increase dopamine levels which would help prevent Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
It is best to eat raw blueberries because cooking them destroys nutrients. Eating almost anything raw is healthier than cooked because it keeps more enzymes intact, so be sure to add some fresh blueberries to your next fruit smoothie.
How much acid is in blueberries?
Blueberries are slightly acidic and range from 3 to 4 on the pH scale. They often think of them as acidic because they contain a high percentage of vitamin C, which is an acid. They also tend to be tarts like many acidic fruits such as lemons and oranges.
The body decides whether something is alkaline or acidic based on its pH level; if it has a lower number than 7, it will be considered acidic, whereas anything with a higher number would be considered alkalizing. This is why Blueberries are not strictly acidic or alkaline. They are slightly alkalizing, which means they have very low acidity.
Blueberries are not specifically alkaline or acidic because they contain a high percentage of vitamin C, which is acid, and tend to be tarts like many acidic fruits such as lemons and oranges. The body decides whether something is alkaline or acidic based on its pH level; if it has a lower number than 7, it will be considered acidic, whereas anything with a higher number would be considered alkalizing. This is why Blueberries are not strictly acidic or alkaline.
Their pH level rates 3-4 on the pH scale. The pH scale runs from 0-14, with 0 being most acidic and 14 being most alkaline. For example, battery acid has a pH level of 1, while bleach has a pH level of 13.5.
What fruits are not good for acid reflux?
It is very important to understand that some fruits are acid-forming and not alkaline. These would include most fruit juices, bananas, pineapples, oranges, grapefruit, etc.
The least acidic fruits are cranberries, blackberries, and pears.
If you experience reflux or heartburn, it is best to stay away from these high acid foods; however, everyone’s chemistry is different, so if your body can handle certain higher acids without ill effects, then enjoy in moderation!
By themselves, Blueberries can neutralize free radicals, protect against oxidative stress and help fight cancer. It is even possible to treat leukemia with an extract from wild blueberry juice; studies show it lengthens survival time for patients by up to 76%.
The benefits of wild blueberry juice are due to its high antioxidant content. Anthocyanins, the compounds in berries that give them their color, have reduced oxidative stress by inhibiting free radicals. They can also increase dopamine levels which would help prevent Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. It is best to eat Blueberries raw because cooking them destroys nutrients.
Eating almost anything raw is healthier than cooked because it keeps more enzymes intact, so be sure to add some fresh Blueberries into your next fruit smoothie!
Are berries OK for acid reflux?
No food is good for acid reflux. Blueberries are not only acidic. They also act as astringent. Astringents constrict or shrink body tissue and mucous membranes such as the lining of the esophagus. When they’re eaten in excess, astringent foods can cause inflammation and irritation of the delicate tissues that line the walls of your digestive tract, which may further irritate acid exposure already present from heartburn or GERD.
Acidic food is any food with a pH of less than 7. Acidity and alkalinity are measured on a scale called pH (potential hydrogen). A pH of 0 is most acidic, while a pH of 14 is most alkaline. Let us compare blueberries to other berries.
The pH scale from 0 to 14 is a measure of acidity vs. alkalinity. At a pH of 7, a substance is neutral. A pH less than 7 is acidic, and a pH greater than seven is alkaline or basic. Blueberries have a low acidic level which makes them slightly alkaline or alkalizing. Blueberries can increase your bone density! This means that blueberries help lower the body’s overall pH level instead of increasing it like most acidic fruits such as lemons and oranges.
Foods with a high glycemic index will create an acidic environment in your stomach after converting them into sugar.
The higher the glycemic index, the more acid-forming the food. For example:
· Sugar is a highly acid-forming food and is very bad for your health.
· White flour products such as pasta, bread, and pastries are also acid-forming foods with a high glycemic index (except sprouted grains).
· Processed meat like sausage, pepperoni, and bologna also have high acidic levels.
Based on the information above, we can come to only one conclusion; blueberries help to alkalize or lower the overall pH level in your body instead of increasing it like most acidic fruits such as lemons and oranges tend to do. So eat up!
Blueberries taste great and make you healthier! If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, avoid acidic foods and drink plenty of alkaline water for 48 hours to help flush out the acid.
Are bananas acidic?
Bananas are an amphoteric food which means they can act as either an acid or a base depending on the circumstances. It has been found that when in the body, bananas act more like an alkali. This is because of its alkaline mineral content, especially potassium, present in large quantities in this fruit.
On the other hand, they may produce acid ash because of their high starch and sugar content when taken alone. Bananas are also rich in pectin; the pectin is known to absorb acids from digestion and eliminate them through stool (bowel movement). That is why you probably hear people say bananas help ease constipation!
A diet that consists mostly of foods with low pH values has great therapeutic value for those who suffer from chronic degenerative diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, gout, and cancer.
Foods with a high level of alkalinity help neutralize acids in the system, which helps prevent these diseases. These conditions are strongly associated with a diet high in sugar, meat and dairy products, and food additives and chemicals found in processed foods.
Conclusion
The information above shows that blueberries are one of the healthiest fruits you can eat. They help alkalize or lower the overall pH level in your body instead of increasing it like most acidic foods such as lemons and oranges tend to do. So eat up! Blueberries taste great and make you healthier!
