8 Least Acidic Fruits for Acid Reflux

Least Acidic Fruits for Acid Reflux: If you have acid reflux or its chronic form, gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), your symptoms might be triggered by acidic fruits, especially citrus. Some fruits are lower in acidity and may be better for avoiding reflux while still reaping their nutritional and digestive benefits.

1. Cantaloupe

The pH scale, which measures acidity, goes from 0 to 14, with the lower numbers more acidic and higher numbers more alkaline. Each number represents 10 times more (or less) acid than the number preceding it.

Cantaloupe’s pH level is slightly above 6.3, close to the neutral midpoint of 7.3 It’s also relatively low in fiber and has a high water content, which makes it easier to digest.

Cantaloupe contains a significant amount of beta carotene, an antioxidant that the body converts into vitamin A, important for healthy vision and a strong immune system.

Cantaloupe is also a good source of vitamin C, and far less acidic than oranges, which have a pH averaging just over 4.3

2. Honeydew Melon

Least Acidic Fruits for Acid Reflux, At a pH level of about 6.3, honeydew melon ranks well among less acidic fruits.3 In addition to its low acid levels, a cup of honeydew melon has close to a third of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C, which ranges from 75 milligrams (mg) for female adults to 90 mg for male adults.

It is also high in the nutrients potassium, folate, and vitamin B6.7 Potassium supports many functions in the body, folate is good for strong bones, and vitamin B6 helps convert food, including carbohydrates, into energy.

3. Mango

Mangoes have an average pH of 5.9, but unripe mangoes can be more acidic than ripe ones, since the pH level changes as the fruit ripens.

Mangoes are another fruit that is high in vitamin C, making them a good alternative to citrus fruits like pineapple or grapefruit. They are high in copper, which helps the body make energy, and folate, which helps grow genetic material and cells, as well as strong bones.

Least Acidic Fruits for Acid Reflux, Mangoes also contain antioxidants, which help prevent cell damage that can be connected to aging and some chronic diseases.

4. Papaya

The tropical fruit papaya has a pH level of about 5.6. It contains an enzyme called papain, which is a traditional remedy for intestinal concerns.3 Initial research suggests that papain may aid digestion and reduce acid.

Among the nutrients in the fruit, one cup of diced papaya supplies all of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, an antioxidant.

One study showed that papaya could reduce levels of oxidative stress (an imbalance in destructive molecules and antioxidants that neutralize them), which is linked to Alzheimer’s disease and other serious diseases that can develop as we age.

Papaya and Latex Allergy
Papaya contains proteins that can trigger latex allergy symptoms. In rare cases, eating papaya could raise the risk of a reaction as severe as anaphylaxis, which can interfere with breathing and swallowing.

5. Figs

Averaging about 5.5 on the pH scale, figs are slightly higher in acid than some other fruits.3 They contain a fiber called pectin.19 Figs are well known as a home remedy to help avoid or reduce constipation.

Figs are also a good source of copper, an essential mineral.

6. Watermelon

Watermelon has a pH of about 5.39, but it’s still considered a low-acid fruit.3 It’s a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C.

A cup of watermelon has 170 mg of potassium, which helps regulate many functions of the body, and watermelon’s high water content makes it a good choice for hydration. Despite the sweet taste, watermelon has only about 9 grams of natural sugar per cup and 45 calories.

7. Bananas

Bananas are considered one of the easiest fruits to digest, even though they have a pH averaging about 4.85, which is somewhat acidic.3 They are generally easy on the stomach because they contain both pectin and high levels of potassium that can help neutralize stomach acid.

Least Acidic Fruits for Acid Reflux, Bananas, especially green bananas, also contain resistant starch, a type of carbohydrate that can cause less gas than other types of fiber, and doesn’t raise blood sugar.

Bananas also have significant amounts of vitamins B6 and C, as well as prebiotic fiber nourishes beneficial microbes in the gut.

8. Persimmon

Persimmons are slightly more acidic than some other fruit choices, but they are still reasonably low acid, at an average pH of about 4.45.3

They are high in fiber which makes them good for digestion, and they contain a wide variety of nutrients, including antioxidants and vitamin C. A single persimmon can deliver more than half of your daily recommended intake of vitamin A.6
US Department of Agriculture. Dietary guidelines for Americans 2020-2025.

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