What are Alkaline Fruits? – 10 Best Alkaline Fruits
In simplest terms, alkaline fruits are those fruits that have lesser acidic ingredients. That said, they have a higher pH level. They are further divided into three categories according to their alkaline level. We can categorize them as:
- Low alkaline
- Medium alkaline
- High alkaline
This division is based on the pH value. To better understand what is meant by alkaline, let’s have a brief overview of alkaline.
What is alkaline?
Simply put, anything which has a pH value of 8 or above is alkaline. Anything below 7 is acidic, and if the pH level is 7, that thing is categorized as neutral. But, when we talk about food, things change a lot. Foods with a pH scale above 2.0 are generally categorized as alkaline foods (low alkaline to high alkaline), and those foods with pH below 2.0 are acidic.
Now, as the value starts decreasing on the pH scale, the acidity level increases. Alkaline fruits fall under the same classification. As the pH level increases, the alkalinity of fruits will increase. As mentioned above, alkaline fruits are further classified into three categories according to the alkalinity level. Let’s talk about some low to high alkaline fruits.
Coconut
According to the pH Level, coconut is a medium to high alkaline fruit with a pH value of 5.5 to 7.8. Coconut is consumed in different forms such as coconut oil, coconut milk, and processed coconut. However, another worth mentioning is that the coconut has different effects on your body if you use it in different forms.
If you use fresh coconut, it will be alkaline, and if you use dried coconut, it will be acidic. Similarly, coconut water is also alkaline. It reduces the acidity level in your body, and it is a “magical” drink if you have lost body fluids after vomiting or diarrhea.
Grapes
According to classification, grapes are low to medium alkaline fruit. Its PH level ranges between 3.5 to 4.5. Now, as we know, as the value increases on the pH scale, the acidity level decreases, and the commodity becomes more and more alkaline. Moreover, the alkaline level of grapes also depends on the place where they are grown. For instance, grapes grown in colder climates are more acidic (less alkaline) as compared to those which are grown in warmer temperatures.
Apples
The pH level of apples is approximately 4, which is why they are low to moderately alkaline fruits. Red apples are sweeter in taste, and they are more alkaline as compared to green apples. Moreover, apples are rich in alkalizing magnesium, potassium, and calcium. Magnesium is an essential ingredient used in making acid reflux drugs. Apart from that, apples contain fiber, which helps in absorbing stomach acid. Due to these cohesive traits, it is safe to say that apples are alkaline fruit.
Banana
With a pH level of 5.6 to 6.5, bananas are also categorized as mild to high alkaline fruit. Ripe bananas have a pH of 6.5, while unripe bananas have a pH of 5.6.
Bananas are a rich source of potassium, vitamin B6, and fiber. They are well known for reducing the stomach’s acidity, and mashed bananas are also used in several low-acid baking recipes. Bananas can control acid reflux as they can coat an irritated esophageal lining.
Avocados
Avocados are also one of the mild to high alkaline fruits. They have a ph value of 6.5, and they are fiber-rich fruit. Avocados are multi-nutrient fruit as they are rich in different vitamins, including Vitamin c, Vitamin B5, Vitamin K, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B6.
Apart from that, Avocados contain manganese, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and other minerals. Avocados are a great source to reduce acidity in the stomach. It is very useful and reduces the effects of normal American diets, which contain high quantities of artificial sweeteners, sugar, and omega-6 fatty acids.
Lemons
When it comes to lemons, there is a fairy tale between the alkaline and acidic nature of lemons. In its natural or raw form, lemon is highly acidic with a pH of 2.0. But, when we consume lemon juice, it becomes fairly alkaline once it metabolizes in our body. In fact, after metabolism, the pH scale of lemon reaches to approximately 7.
Not to mention, we all know how good lemons to our health care. They are very helpful in the digestion process, prevention of kidney stones, reduce the chances of cancer, and improve heart health.
Melons
With a pH scale of 6.0 to 6.7, melons are one of those medium to high alkaline fruits, which are very nutritious and readily available. The best way to consume melons is to add them to your breakfast. They are very helpful in reducing acid reflux as well. Melons are highly enriched with magnesium, which is commonly known for reducing stomach acidity. As mentioned above, using them in the morning is good for your health.
Cantaloupe
Known with several names such as sweet melon, rock melon, and spanspek, cantaloupe is a high alkaline fruit with a pH scale of 6.17 to 7.13. Cantaloupes are one of those alkaline fruits which are simply “loaded” with nutritious elements. Cantaloupes are rich in antioxidants such as choline, lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin c, beta carotene, and selenium.
Apart from that, they are also a rich source of fiber, potassium, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, fluoride, sodium, phosphorus, vitamin k, vitamin a, and vitamin E. Cantaloupes are good for your hair and skin, help in digestion, reduce the chances of cancer, help in regulating the blood pressure, and helps in prevention of asthma development.
Dates
Dates are one of the highly alkaline fruits with a pH level of 6.5 to 8.5, and it is needless to say that dates have “unlimited” benefits literally. Dates are a traditional fruit in the Middle East and surrounding countries. Dates are a rich source of vitamin B6, iron, magnesium, manganese, copper, potassium, protein, and fiber.
Moreover, dates are rich in antioxidants such as phenolic acid, carotenoids, and flavonoids. They are very effective in reducing the risk of diabetes, heart diseases, and cancer. Also, dates have proved to be useful in promoting brain health as well.
Dates are also rich in minerals such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium, and they are beneficial for bone health. Furthermore, dates have proved to be effective for pregnant women in late-term labor. Without any doubt, dates are one of the best alkaline fruits, and they are available almost throughout the year.
About the Author
Lori Bogedin is a health and wellness writer and editor of TwigsCafe.com. She is in the restaurant business since 1999. In 2016 she was named one of the "Top Women in Business" by Northeastern Pennsylvania Business Journal.
11 comments
This was detailed information but also very confusing and there was no list that was easy to read high alkaline fruits medium alkaline fruits low alkaline fruits there’s so many more fruits such as mango blueberries watermelon oranges prunes and what about vegetables perhaps you can direct me to a site that you have that’s a little less confusing your answer some of these questions or feel free to email me directly. There’s so much confusing information out there I wanna make sure I’m dealing with a reliable source and some of your information is information I heard before so I do find that it’s probablyReliable and thank you for posting the information I hope you can help clarify or send me information or sites to find out more answers including vegetables as I try to change my diet without excluding too many fruits and vegetables which are good for you and fiber us. Now I realize this is a post,So, I hope the editor reads it and can address it and let readers know it’s worth reading but there needs to be more information. If there is I couldn’t find it
Hi, This list consists of high alkaline fruits. This post is based on facts and intended to only inform people. This is not a healthcare site. If you are looking for specific recommendations, please consult with a healthcare professional. Here you can find a list of alkaline vegetables: https://twigscafe.com/best-alkaline-vegetables/
No problem at all understanding the alkaline foods list
.
Agree
How come an apple became an alkaline fruit with an approx. pH level of 4?
Actually, the actual pH value of a food doesn’t determine the alkaline-forming ability in the body. Besides, when it comes to foods, some foods with a pH value above 2.0 is generally categorized as alkaline(explained in the first part of the article). You can see most of the foods listed in this article has a pH value under 7 which is considered acidic, but they become alkaline-forming after digestion.
Thanks a lot! Very informative! I’m blessed! You’re a blessing!
Bonjour ! I’m an Irish-Canadian man living in France, 57 years old. I’ve cancer of the amygdales, metastased – tonsils, since 1 year.
I really appreciated this article because it explains that the PH values/scale is very different for foods than for our blood, urine, for example – have I gotten that correct ?
I’ve avoided most all fruits these last 8 months(then diagnosed) because of “sugar”. Could I then consume high PH/low sugar fruit ? Which ones ?
And is a PH blood test easy to do ? Along with urine, I would need to do them often I suppose ??…..so far, I’ve been able to stabilize my Stage 4 illness since Mar 21st with more or less a keto diet, but my throat is now starting to close, just a little though.
Thanks in advance for ANY advice or links you may have in mind…
Slainte, Dave Keenan 🙂 .
This has to be a joke, do people fall for this!?
If lemons are “alkaline” then everything is…
No. This is not a joke. This article focuses on fruits that act as alkaline after ingestion. This is clearly mentioned that lemon is acidic but it becomes alkaline after ingestion. This article might help you understand this better: https://bit.ly/3oX65QD
“Best 10 Alkaline Fruits” You only got 9.. and the pictures you have for Melons and Cantaloupe should be switched. Thanks for the info though. I saved the “Best 10 Alkaline Vegetables” page too.