Highly acidic foods can lead to heartburn in some people. If a low-acid diet is part of your GERD relief strategy, heres where to start.
Regular heartburn sufferers know the importance of avoiding the foods that trigger their reflux. Some foods, like those high in saturated fat, can make the sphincter muscle at the top of the stomach let go of its tension. Food and stomach acid can backwash into the esophagus and throat if it’s not tightly “shut.” This can cause heartburn.
One way to avoid heartburn is to keep acids in check. Another way is to stay away from foods that are very acidic. This way, the acid stops before it even gets to the stomach.
Quick chemistry lesson: Water’s pH is 7, which is neutral. Anything lower is acidic, and anything higher is basic (or alkaline). If the pH level drops by 1, the acidity goes up by 10 times. This means that even small drops in pH can cause big acidity rises.
A normal stomach pH is between 1 and 4. It’s already acidic. Michelle Duong Davenport, MA, an adjunct professor at New York University and a researcher at the NYU School of Medicine, says, “The stomach’s pH is low because it makes gastric acid, which breaks down food.”
Salmon is one of the most popular fish worldwide. This fatty fish is a nutritious addition to any diet, providing high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. With its stellar nutrient profile and delicious taste, it’s no wonder salmon remains a dietary staple for many.
But where does salmon fall on the pH scale? Is it alkaline or acidic? This question arises as some followers of an alkaline diet claim eating alkaline foods over acidic ones can benefit health
In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at salmon’s pH level. We’ll cover:
- What makes a food alkaline or acidic
- Salmon’s pH level
- How salmon affects the body’s pH
- The benefits and downsides of alkaline diets
- Who may want to limit acidic foods
- Whether you should be worried about salmon’s acidity
Let’s dive in!
What Determines a Food’s Acidity?
The acidity or alkalinity (basicity) of foods depends on their pH value The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with lower values being more acidic and higher values more alkaline
Foods with a pH below 7 are considered acidic. Examples include citrus fruits, vinegar, meat, fish, grains, alcohol, and milk On the flip side, foods with a pH above 7 are alkaline These include fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and plant-based milk. Neutral foods like pure water have a pH of 7.
The amount of hydrogen ions a food gives the body after digestion is directly related to how acidic the food is. When you eat acidic foods, your body makes more hydrogen ions, which makes it more acidic. When you eat alkaline foods, your body takes up hydrogen ions, making it more alkaline.
But a food’s effect on the body doesn’t always align with its pH value. Some acidic foods like lemons can have an alkalizing effect on the body.
Determining Salmon’s pH Level
Looking at the pH chart, salmon falls squarely on the acidic side with a pH ranging from 6.1 to 6.8 depending on the cut. Both raw and cooked salmon are acidic, though cooking can raise the pH slightly. Smoked salmon tends to be the most acidic with a pH around 6.1.
As a protein-rich fish, salmon contains amino acids that break down into hydrogen ions during digestion. This gives salmon an acidic ash and an acidic effect on the body, despite its stellar nutritional profile.
How Does Salmon Affect the Body’s pH Balance?
Here’s the main question behind the debate on alkaline diets: Do acidic foods like salmon make our bodies more acidic?
The answer is more complex than a simple yes or no.
Our blood pH hovers around 7.4, which is slightly alkaline. Even small fluctuations above or below this level can be dangerous. To maintain homeostasis, the body has built-in systems that tightly regulate blood pH.
The lungs and kidneys play key roles in this regulation. When the body becomes too acidic, the kidneys excrete more acids and reabsorb more bicarbonate, which has an alkalizing effect. The lungs also expel more carbon dioxide to counter acidity.
Thanks to these systems, acidic foods like salmon only cause very slight, temporary drops in blood pH that get quickly normalized. Our bodies are incredibly effective at keeping blood pH constant regardless of diet.
So while salmon and other acidic foods may generate hydrogen ions, our blood pH remains stable. These dietary acids get buffered and excreted, not directly added to the bloodstream.
The Theory Behind the Alkaline Diet
The theory behind alkaline diets, also called acid-alkaline diets, is that eating more alkaline foods can shift the body’s pH to be more alkaline. In turn, this is believed to boost health and prevent diseases like osteoporosis and cancer.
By limiting acidic foods and favoring alkaline options, followers aim for a dietary ratio of 70-80% alkaline foods and 20-30% acidic foods.
But as discussed above, this dietary change alone has little influence over the body’s pH balance. Although the ideals behind alkaline diets may have merit, the scientific evidence to support health claims is lacking.
Potential Benefits of Alkaline Diets
Alkaline diets encourage eating more fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and plant-based milk. These foods bring a host of nutritional benefits.
Higher produce intake provides antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals. This may support:
- Heart health
- Immune function
- Digestive health
- Weight maintenance
- Stable energy levels
- Healthy aging
Alkaline diets also often limit processed foods, refined grains, sugar and unhealthy fats. This helps reduce inflammation and the risk of chronic diseases.
So while alkaline foods don’t alter pH long-term, they can still be part of a healthy lifestyle for some people.
Downsides of Following an Alkaline Diet
Despite potential upsides, alkaline diets also come with several downsides:
- Removes healthy foods. Avoiding acidic foods means eliminating nutritious meat, fish, eggs, grains and milk, unless fermented. This can make it hard to meet nutrient needs.
- Lacks variety. Strict alkaline diets significantly limit food choices. This makes meals repetitive and less enjoyable.
- Prone to nutrient deficiencies. Nutrients like B12, iron, zinc, and calcium may be low on very restrictive alkaline diets.
- Difficult to sustain. Alkaline diets can be burdensome to plan and maintain long-term.
- Not based in science. The main claim that alkaline foods change body pH is not scientifically supported.
- Risk of disordered eating. Fixating on food categories like acid and alkaline foods may promote unhealthy eating behaviors.
For these reasons, alkaline diets are overly restrictive for most healthy people. A more balanced approach is recommended.
Who May Want to Limit Acidic Foods?
While healthy individuals don’t need to worry about acidic foods, some people may benefit from restricting them, including:
People with GERD, ulcers, or gastritis. Highly acidic foods can exacerbate these conditions by irritating the stomach lining. Limiting acidic foods may help manage symptoms.
Individuals with kidney disease. Damaged kidneys have a harder time excreting dietary acid loads. Restricting acidic foods may support kidney function. Those with kidney disease should work with a doctor on an appropriate diet.
Certain cancer patients. There is some early research that restricting acidic foods may help limit tumor growth and improve response to chemotherapy. More studies are needed.
Outside of these specific conditions, reducing acidic foods offers little benefit for the average healthy person.
The Bottom Line on Salmon’s Acidity
Salmon is considered an acidic food, with a pH ranging from 6.1-6.8. However, its acidity gets buffered and excreted when consumed. So salmon only causes a small, temporary drop in blood pH that gets quickly corrected.
For healthy people, salmon’s acidity is of no concern. Salmon provides high-quality protein, anti-inflammatory omega-3s, B vitamins, potassium, selenium and more. These nutrients offer diverse health perks that far outweigh any negligible impact on pH.
While some may do well limiting acidic foods for symptom management, most people don’t need to avoid acidic staples like salmon. Focus instead on an overall balanced diet with plenty of produce, lean proteins, whole grains, nuts, seeds and healthy fats.
In moderation alongside alkaline options, salmon can be part of a nutritious, pH- balanced diet. So if you enjoy salmon, you can keep eating this oily fish without worry or guilt about its acidic nature.
What’s the Difference Between Acid Reflux and GERD?
Some History on Low-Acid Foods
Experts currently tell people who suffer from reflux not to eat or drink things like chocolate, peppermint, caffeine, and alcohol, which are known to cause heartburn. Doing so can help prevent heartburn in some people, but everyone is different.
One study even makes a case for following a diet centered on low-acid foods.
The small study was written up in the Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and But 19 of the 20 people who took part felt better after eating and drinking only things with a pH of 5 or higher for at least two weeks.
More research is needed, but the idea of a low-acid diet is intriguing. In addition, eating low-acid foods may be good for your health in other ways, like protecting your teeth from wear and bone fractures, which can happen if you take PPIs for heartburn.
So if your doctor suggests you try a low-acid lifestyle, here’s where to start. Read up on the low-acid diet staples that may bring GERD relief, along with some other health perks.
“In general, bananas are thought to be alkaline and not acidic,” says Patrick Takahashi, MD, a gastroenterologist at St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles. “They help keep your potassium levels up, which is good for your heart and bones in general, and they have a lot of fiber” ” Raw bananas are probably the best source of nutrients. You can eat them at any time, for a snack or with a meal. In some low-acid baking recipes, you can mash them up as a substitute for a fat component.
Skinless chicken makes a great low-acid diet staple. High in protein, a 4-ounce portion provides two-thirds of the recommended daily amount. While chicken is perfectly fine, deep-frying it in greasy oil will only trigger heartburn. Prepare it mindfully, with as few reflux-triggering spices as possible.
Another low-acid option, apples make a great source of fiber, too. A dietitian at the Cleveland Clinics Digestive Disease Institute, Tara Harwood, MS, RD, says that fiber can help you feel full longer, which can keep you from eating too much during the day. “Fiber also helps with lowering cholesterol and preventing spikes in blood sugar. ” Even the skins, which have polyphenols and flavonoids, can be good for you.
Fish is a nutritious component in any diet but an excellent source of protein in a low-acid diet. Salmon, for example, contains omega-3 fatty acids, which benefit the heart, joints, and eyes. It may also protect against certain kinds of cancer. As with chicken, the best GERD recipes for fish will limit or leave out spices and heavy seasonings to keep heartburn at bay. And remember to skip the lemon. Its low pH makes it acidic.
Oatmeal is a great breakfast option for people sticking to a low-acid diet. High in filling fiber, oats can help improve cardiovascular health and stabilize blood sugar, among other benefits. When you add fruit to a hot bowl of oatmeal, stay away from strawberries, blueberries, and cranberries because they are high in acid.
Unlike other nuts such as pecans, cashews, and walnuts, almonds are generally alkaline. Almonds are good for your heart because they have monounsaturated fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids. They also have a lot of fiber, which keeps you full between meals. Almonds also contain Vitamin E, a natural antioxidant, and the minerals manganese and magnesium. Use almonds in place of other nuts when preparing low-acid recipes.
Brown rice is a healthy choice whether or not you’re following a low-acid diet. It has a lot of fiber, which can help keep your digestive system in check. It’s also good for your heart and full of B vitamins, which can keep your body awake and alert.
Does Eating Alkaline Foods vs Acidic Foods Affect Your Health? #TBT | LiveLeanTV
Is salmon acidic?
Salmon is only slightly acidic, meaning it’s a safe addition to a healthy, stomach-friendly diet. It’s also delicious, highly nutritious, and versatile in the kitchen, so it is an excellent addition to any healthy diet. Don’t know what to drink?
Does salmon produce high levels of uric acid?
Yes. Fish such as sardines, tuna, anchovies, sea bass, salmon and tilapia contain a high content of purines which, when in excess, promote an increase in uric acid in the blood.
Are all foods acidic or alkaline?
Different foods have different levels of acidity. Foods that are highly acidic are called “acidic” foods, and those that are not acidic at all are called “alkaline.” Some refer to alkaline foods as basic. The acidity or alkalinity of foods are measured by their pH, and it is measured on a scale of 0 to 14.
Can salmon cause acid reflux?
The cases where it may cause acid reflux is usually not because of the salmon itself but instead how it was seasoned or prepared. For example, cooking salmon in a lot of oil could be problematic for triggering acid reflux due to the higher fat content. Also using certain spices like chili or garlic are more likely to trigger acid reflux.