Are strawberries acidic? The short answer is yes, they are. But how acidic are they?
When strawberries start to ripen, the sugar level in them will increase from 5% up to as high as 9%. The reason why it is so acidic is because of the acid levels that are found in citric acid 88%. This will slowly decrease as it ripens more and more.
When you think of acidic food, what is the first thing that comes to mind? I would bet that strawberry was not something you thought of.
As for myself, I immediately thought of lemons or plums – not strawberries. However, strawberries are indeed acidic. But how much?
Anyway, let us at The Average Cook go over the reason why a strawberry is acidic! We will look at the pH levels of the strawberries and compare them between fresh and frozen ones.
Are strawberries alkaline?
Fresh fruits such as strawberries can have alkaline in them. So, it is always best to eat strawberries on an empty stomach before you eat any other kinds of food.
Usually, if you eat strawberries or any other kinds of food with alkaline AFTER eating a meal with fat or proteins, this will cause you to have some indigestion.
Is strawberries good for acid reflux?
Yes, strawberries can be good for acid reflux. It is a good fruit to Eat on an Acid Reflux Diet.
Noncitrus fruits such as strawberries can include the following:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blueberries
So, if you don’t quite like to eat strawberries, you always have other fruit options!
What is the pH of a strawberry?
We will not bore you with long details. What you want is fast answers and we are here to give it.
Strawberries have a pH level of 3 to 3.5.
Just as a comparison, fruit such as watermelon has a 5.2 pH level. An acidic fruit is anywhere between 0 to 6.99 pH levels.
So, watermelons (which are more alkaline) are less acidic than strawberries.
What’s the most acidic fruit?
Do you have an appetite for acidic fruits? Well, here are some of the most acidic ones that you should try, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
- Lemon Juice (2.00 – 2.60)
- Limes (2.00 – 2.80)
- Cranberry Juice (2.30 – 2.52)
- Blue Plums (2.80 – 3.40)
- Grapes (2.90 – 3.82)
- Pomegranates (2.93 – 3.20)
- Grapefruits (3.00 – 3.75)
- Blueberries (3.12 – 3.33)
- Pineapples (3.20 – 4.00)
- Apples (3.33 – 4.00)
- Peaches (3.30 – 4.05)
- Mangos (3.40 – 4.80)
- Oranges (3.69 – 4.34)
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Are Fresh Strawberries Acidic?
Fresh strawberries are acidic. This is because they are made of mostly citric acid.
Note: If you have heartburn, it is best to consult your doctor before eating strawberries.
Are Frozen Strawberries Acidic?
Yes, frozen strawberries will still have acid in them. It does not matter if they are fresh or frozen – they will have similar pH levels.
However, if you decide to blend the frozen strawberries to make a smoothie, for example, the acidity may be reduced due to blending in with the milk or yogurt.
This is a great option for those who have sensitive stomachs toward acid foods.
Are Dried Strawberries Acidic?
Yes, dried strawberries will still have acid in them. However, you may not taste them right off the bat due to them being dried.
Eating dried strawberries is tasty! They taste like sweet crackers. If you have not tried them yet, be sure to do so!
Usually, dry fruits will also have natural sugars which makes them just so much tastier. It will also provide nutritious value which is an added benefit.
Final Thoughts
Strawberries are a very delicious fruit that makes for a sweet dessert. Not only that, the red color just looks so pretty!
If you like eating strawberries, always remember that it does contain acid. So, do not eat too much at once in one sitting or it may cause a tummyache.
If you mix strawberries with other foods such as yogurt or milk, it will mask the acidity and you could eat more without feeling the acids in them.
As with any food, overconsumption of anything is never a good thing. If you have heartburn, consult your doctor before eating large amounts of it.
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