Strawberries are almost like a staple to the modern healthy diet chart But are strawberries acidic or alkaline? This question also raises lots of health concerns.
In general, strawberries are acidic fruits. But the more it gets mature, the acidity reduces. On a pH scale, strawberries are between 3.0 to 3.5. If you don’t have problems with acid reflux or allergies, this fruit can be a good source of necessary nutrients for your body.
People often think that being an acidic fruit, strawberry is terrible for health. But it’s nothing but a myth. Depending on your health conditions and nutrition requirement, strawberries can be a great source of vitamin C, iron, vitamin B6, calcium, and magnesium.
Strawberries: Are They Acidic Or Alkaline?
In general, strawberries are acidic. When they are not fully metabolized, they are more acidic. The more the strawberries ripen, the more the pH balance rises above 7. But in the consuming state, strawberries are acidic in nature.
Acidic fruits contain a lower fat count and have a lot of minerals. Depending on the type of strawberry, there are five different types of acids within the fruit. Those are –
- Citric Acid
- Ascorbic Acid
- Pantothenic Acid
- Ellagic Acid
- Malic Acid
The percentage of each acid varies depending on how they have been produced, where they have been grown and how they have been preserved. Here’s a breakdown of the acidic ingredients in strawberries:
| Ingredients | Amount per 100 gm of Strawberries |
| Citric Acid | 0.73 – 1.58 |
| Ascorbic Acid | 40 – 70 |
| Pantothenic Acid | 0.18 |
| Ellagic Acid | 5.52 |
| Malic Acid | 0.22 – 0.69 |
How Acidic Are Strawberries?
To get a complete idea of strawberries’ acidity rate, you will need to consider many other factors, like if the strawberry is fresh, dried, or frozen. Also, if you are planning to consume strawberries, it’s best to consider if the acid level is healthy for you or not.
Are Fresh Strawberries Acidic
In fresh strawberries, the amount of citric acid is more than any other form. The usual pH levels of strawberries range from around 3.0 – 3.5. This is especially true if they are naturally produced. Citric acid has many health benefits like increasing metabolism.
The fresh strawberries are also infused with vitamins C. They help to keep skin diseases away. Anyone with mouth tart can receive higher benefits from consuming fresh strawberries.
Are Dried Strawberries Acidic
There is insufficient data on if the dried strawberries are acidic food. But ripe strawberries contain almost similar nutrients as dried strawberries. Nutritionists suggest consuming strawberries with yogurt, smoothies, oats, and fruit custard.
They say dried strawberries can be a bit more acidic than fresh strawberries as they get dehydrated. Therefore having them with other substances will help avoid any unwanted acid reflux.
Are Frozen Strawberries Acidic
The acidity of the frozen strawberries is the same as the fresh strawberries on the pH level. They are also enriched with Citric Acid and Vitamin-C like the fresh strawberries. But due to preservation, they may taste more Acidic than fresh strawberries.
So to consume them without getting the acidic taste, you can use them in garnishing or other desserts. You will get similar nutrition without compromising the taste.
Acidity Of Strawberries Compared To Other Acidic Fruits
You will be surprised to know that lots of fruits and vegetables that we eat in our daily life are acidic. Some of these foods are more acidic than strawberries, and some are equally acidic. But this doesn’t mean you should stop eating them. People often confuse non-acidic fruits and acidic fruits. A nifty acidic fruits list can be helpful in such cases. Knowing about them will help you to manage a proper diet.
Are Strawberries More Acidic Than Lemons?
Lemons are one of the most acidic fruits. They are very low in the pH range and contain a concentrated amount of citric acid. The pH range of lemon is between 2 to 3.
On the other hand, strawberries are on the higher chart. They are between 3 to 3.5 on the pH value scale.
If you suffer from acid reflux diseases, you must be wary of consuming lemons. It is wise to stay away from it in severe cases.
Are Strawberries More Acidic Than Oranges?
The acidity of oranges is somewhat similar to strawberries. In the pH value scale, strawberries range from 3 to 3.5, and oranges range between 3.69to 4.34. Therefore strawberries are higher in acidity than oranges.
Orange has a citrus flavor. For this, you might think the acidity of oranges is more than strawberries. But in reality, it is the opposite. Also, depending on the variety of the oranges and strawberries, the acidity level will vary.
Are Strawberries More Acidic Than Blueberries?
Even though strawberries are not berries like blueberries, the pH balance lies on the same scale. The pH balance of blueberries is 3.11 to 3.33. Therefore the acidity of blueberries is not more or less than that of strawberries. They are on the same parameter.
Also, depending on the type of strawberries and the preservation method, they can be more acidic than blueberries. But in general, they are pretty similar and have similar acidic effects.
Are Strawberries Good For Health?
Even though strawberries are full of food values, they can be good and bad for your health. Strawberries are full of antioxidants and omega-3. It is a crucial nutrient for achieving healthy heart conditions and controlling blood pressure.
The presence of vitamins C and B6 makes strawberries even more nutritious. Consuming it in moderate amounts will also help you improve skin and hair follicles. In the case of diabetics, you can use it to make food naturally sweet.On the other hand, you should also know – is strawberry good for acid reflux? Because if you’re suffering from severe acid reflux disease or having reflux symptoms, you must consult a doctor before consuming strawberries.
In some cases, the acid in strawberries can help you, and in others, it can worsen the condition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are strawberries acidic for babies?
Pediatricians often recommend acid-based diets for babies to avoid minor health problems. In that regard, strawberries can be a good choice. It is one of the favorite fruits of many.
But sometimes, babies are sensitive to most acidic foods. If unusual symptoms arise due to the consumption of strawberries, it is essential to contact your pediatrician as soon as possible.
Are strawberries acidic to teeth?
Strawberries contain the tooth-brightening protein of malic acid. It can give you your desired result without the hurtful synthetics and significant expense of formal dental work.
To get an array of magnificent white teeth, puree or squash one strawberry, add ½ teaspoon of baking powder, and blend well. Apply it to your teeth regularly.
How to make strawberries less acidic?
To make strawberries less acidic, you will need to consume other foods. If you add your strawberries to your oatmeals, vegetable salad, smoothies, or low acid fruits, the acidity will balance out.
They prevent the strawberry acid from reacting with stomach acid. Also, it will increase the fiber content of your food.
Will strawberries grow in acidic soil?
For cultivating strawberries, you will need more acidic soil. The pH of the soil must be 5.8 to 6.2.
In general, to decrease the pH balance of the soil, farmers use ground limestone. It enhances the strawberry production rate.
Where are strawberries native?
Strawberries are mainly native to North America. The Indigenous people groups have included them in many dishes for a long time.
The primary pilgrims in America sent the local bigger strawberry plants back to Europe as soon as 1600. Since then, people have been consuming it all over the globe.
Conclusion
To stay healthy, the human body needs both alkaline foods and acidic foods. Fruits have always been the primary source of nutrients for healthy people. But sometimes, due to health conditions, you might want to avoid citrus fruits. In such cases, it is also essential to know – are strawberries acidic or not?
Even though strawberries are acidic, they are a great source of nutrients. And to reduce the acidic effect, you can include it in your fruit mix, smoothies, or other drinks and salads.
