Are Strawberries Acidic? A Deep Dive into their pH Level
By Dr. Aastha Manchanda +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Aastha Manchanda
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Aastha Manchanda +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Aastha Manchanda
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Table of Contents
Strawberries are a favourite fruit for many. They are loved for their rich aroma, bright color, and good taste. In this article, we’ll discuss if strawberries are acidic. We’ll discuss their pH levels and the organic acids present in them. We’ll also discuss how their acidity affects our health. Lastly, we will answer the frequently asked questions regarding this topic.
Before we talk about the acidity of strawberries, we need to understand what pH and acidity all mean.
pH tells about the “potential of hydrogen.” It measures how much hydrogen ions are there in a solution. Simply, it shows how acidic or basic a substance is. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. Every number on the scale tells us about the acid or base levels. For example, a pH of 3 means it’s ten times more acidic than a pH of 4. Acidity pulls the pH down while alkalinity pulls the pH up.
Acidity relates to substances that produce hydrogen ions (H+) in solutions. Alkalinity, on the other hand, refers to substances that produce hydroxide ions (OH-) in solutions. So, an acidic solution has more hydrogen ions, and an alkaline one has more hydroxide ions.
The pH scale runs from 0 to 14. 0 is highly acidic and 14 is very basic or alkaline. The neutral pH is 7. Acidic substances typically have a pH between 0 and 6.99. Alkaline substances have a pH between 7.01 and 14. This scale is used in a lot of areas. It helps in checking soil conditions for farming, water quality, and the acidity or alkalinity levels in our food and drinks.
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Now that we understand pH and acidity, we can now try to understand if strawberries are acidic. In this section, we’ll discuss the acidity of strawberries, the factors affecting it, and the types of organic acids present in these fruits.
Yes, strawberries are acidic. They usually have a pH ranging from 3 to 3.5. In comparison to lemons, which have a pH of 2.2 to 2.4 strawberries are less acidic. But, it’s this acidity that gives the strawberries their unique taste.
All strawberries don’t have the same acidity level. Not exactly. Several factors can change their acidity level. These factors can be the type of strawberry, growing conditions, and how ripe they are. Even different types of strawberries can taste different due to these reasons.
Different types of strawberries can have varied acidity levels. This is because each type comes with its own set of features and tastes. Some strawberry types might be more acidic than others leading to stronger tart flavours.
Strawberries have a few types of organic acids. They add to the fruit’s acidity and give it its unique flavour. The acids found in strawberries include citric acid, ascorbic acid, and malic acid. Each of these acids plays a special role in giving strawberries their taste and health value.
Citric acid gives strawberries their tart taste. It’s like what you taste in citrus fruits. But citric acid doesn’t just bring flavour. It also acts as a natural preservative and keeps strawberries fresh for longer.
Strawberries are a great source of vitamin C or ascorbic acid. This acid helps to keep our body healthy. It aids in the growth and repair of tissues. It also works as an antioxidant to protect our cells from damage.
Strawberries also have malic acid. Its presence goes down as the strawberry ripens. This change in malic acid levels changes the taste of strawberries as they ripen.
The acidity level in strawberries can change. It depends on how ripe the fruit is and how it’s stored.
When strawberries are not ripe yet, they are hard and pale. They also taste tart or even sour due to high acidity. As they ripen, they turn soft and bright red. Their taste also changes as they become sweet and less acidic. But it’s not just the taste that changes. The texture, smell, and nutritional content also change. For example, ripe strawberries have more vitamin C than unripe ones.
There’s not much difference in the acidity level between fresh and frozen strawberries. Freezing the berries doesn’t change their acidity level. But if they are kept frozen for very long, they might taste more acidic. Even then, you can use them in all of your favourite recipes and pair them with sweet foods to balance out the acidity.
Even though strawberries are f healthy, they might not be the best for everyone. Especially, if you have acid reflux or GERD.
You know already that strawberries are a great source of vitamin C. A cup of strawberries can give you about 140% of the daily need for vitamin C. That’s around 85mg of vitamin C.
Strawberries don’t only have vitamin C. They are also packed with a lot of antioxidants. These help control harmful free radicals in your body. These antioxidants may help you maintain heart health and balance blood sugar levels.
Strawberries are also a good source of dietary fiber. Fibers are said to assist in digestion and help keep your heart healthy. Strawberries are low in calories so you can snack on them without worrying about too much calorie intake.
The acidity in strawberries gives them a tart taste which pairs well with their natural sugars. This unique sweet and tart taste is what makes strawberries so loved. But, it’s best to eat strawberries in moderation due to their sugar and acid content.
Strawberries might not be the best for everyone. If you have acid reflux or GERD, their acidity might cause issues. They could make your symptoms worse leading to discomfort. So, if you have a sensitive stomach, it’s a good idea to ask a healthcare professional before adding acidic fruits like strawberries to your diet.
How ripe a strawberry is can change its acidity level. Ripe strawberries tend to be less acidic than unripe ones.
As strawberries ripen, they become sweeter and less acidic. All these changes impact the taste, texture, aroma, and nutrition of the fruit. So, if you want the best balance of sweet and tart, go for fully ripe strawberries. Also, picking fully ripe strawberries can help avoid any discomfort from their acidity.
Here are some tips for picking ripe strawberries.
If eating strawberries causes discomfort, you don’t have to quit them. Here are some ways to reduce their acidity and continue enjoying them.
You can balance out the acidity of strawberries by eating them with alkaline foods. If you are making a smoothie with strawberries, try using unsweetened almond milk. It’s alkaline and might help reduce the effect of the strawberry’s acid.
Here are some tips to eat strawberries without feeling discomfort.
If eating strawberries alone is hard for you, pair them with fruits that have low acidity. Bananas, melons, and mangoes are such fruits. When eaten together, these can balance out the tartness of strawberries while mixing different flavours.
Oranges have a pH ranging from 3.3 to 4, making them slightly more acidic than strawberries. But both are still considered low in acidity.
Grapes are more acidic than strawberries. Their pH ranges from 2.9 to 3.4.
Yes, strawberries are more acidic than lemons. Lemons have a pH of 2.0 to 2.6, making them a lot more acidic than strawberries.
Let’s list some fruits based on their acidity levels:
We’ve learned about pH levels and acidity. We’ve explored how different factors change strawberry acidity. We also learned about the organic acids present in strawberries. Now we know that strawberries have many healthy nutrients in them, but they must be eaten in balance. Those with acid reflux or GERD need to be especially careful. Remember, the key to good health is listening to your body’s needs and favoring a balanced diet.
It’s safe to give strawberries to babies around the age of 6-8 months. That’s because strawberries are not very acidic. But it’s always best to ask your child’s paediatrician before you try new foods with your baby.
While not normally eaten, strawberry stems are not hazardous and can be consumed without harm. Most people prefer to remove them as they don’t add much to the taste.
Guinea pigs can eat strawberries in reasonable amounts. Strawberries give them important nutrients like vitamin C. But it’s best not to overfeed because their sugar and acidity could lead to digestive issues.
All three berries which are strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are acidic. The least acidic are the strawberries, followed by raspberries, and lastly the blueberries.
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