There are more than 60 million Americans that are dealing with Acid reflux, heartburn, or GERD. The main reason for these complications is the foods that are high in acid. That is why there is now a growing trend of checking the acidity levels of foods before eating them. The same thing people are doing with the blueberries, which are one of the most famous and delicious fruits we have today.
So, Are blueberries acidic?
Yes, Blueberries are acidic with a pH of 3.11 to 3.33. So, those who follow low acidic diets should eat these fruits in moderation. However, this acidity level cannot cause acid reflux or harm in any other capacity unless you eat dozens of blueberries in a day.
If you want to know the reason behind the acidic nature of blueberries and their health benefits, then stay till the end.
Table of Content
Why Are Blueberries Acidic?
Blueberries are acidic because of high amounts of Ascorbic acid or Vitamin C. Moreover, Arginine amino acid is also there, which also affects the pH of the fruit. So, due to these factors, the pH of the fresh blueberries (raw blueberries) is between 3.1 to 3.3.
Want to know about the acidity status of other forms of blueberries? Then continue reading.
Different Blueberries Types and Acidity Levels
Blueberries are most commonly eaten raw. However, there are some other forms of this fruit as well, which people love to consume.
Are Wild Blueberries Acidic?
People also ask, are wild berries acidic or alkaline? Well, wild blueberries are also acidic but less than fresh blueberries. The pH of wild blueberries is between 4.2 to 5.
Are Frozen Blueberries Acidic?
Frozen blueberries are also acidic, with a pH of 3.7. They are more expensive than fresh blueberries.
Are Dried Blueberries acidic?
Cooked or Dried blueberries have pH levels ranging from 3.1 to 3.4, so they are also very acidic. However, it is still better if you eat them fresh as there may have been some additives or some other compounds used to dry or cook them.
Is Blueberry Jam acidic?
Yes. Blueberry jam is acidic, but it is also harmful. Blueberry jam is made from natural blueberries and sugar content. The sugar slows down digestion, which leads to the stomach releasing more acid, hence, increasing the acidity. Thus, blueberries jam can cause or worsen acid reflux (if you already have it).
Are Blueberries Good for Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and GERD?
It is true that Blueberries are acidic, but still, they are not acidic enough to cause any acid reflux in the body. You have to eat too many of them in order to feel any side effects of these berries.
A question that arises is, Is blueberries juice good for acid reflux? No, eating raw blueberries is good, but drinking juice may worsen the acid reflux. The reason is that the fiber content decreases which means the beneficial impact of blueberries gets reduced. Furthermore, a glass of blueberry juice requires a lot of blueberries.
Similarly, people also ask, can blueberries cause heartburn?
No, blueberries cannot cause heartburn if you eat them in an appropriate amount. You have to eat dozens of them for consecutive days in order to feel any heartburn from them.
Another question that comes to mind is- Are blueberries good for GERD?
Yes, blueberries are good for GERD. Blueberries do not cause any fat, which can worsen or cause GERD.
Health Benefits Of Blueberries
Blueberries are a rich source of fiber, vitamins (C, E, and K), antioxidants, and minerals (potassium, Manganese).
100-gram Blueberries’ nutritional value is:
| Calories | 60 |
| Protein | 0.8g |
| Fat | 0.4g |
| Sugar | 10g |
| Fiber | 2.5g |
| Vitamin C | 22.2 mg |
All of these nutrients work together to induce the following effects on the body:
Prevents Cancer
The antioxidants in blueberries are known to stop the spread of cancerous cells in the body. The excess of Free radicals in the body is the reason why cells start to mutate uncontrollably, which leads to cancer. Antioxidants present in blueberries attack these free radicals and kill them.
Anti-Aging
Another question we often get is, Are blueberries good for skin? A study was conducted at Harvard, which concluded that those who eat blueberries twice a week delay the aging effect for up to 2.5 to 3 years.
Great For Diabetics
People with diabetes ask, are blueberries good for diabetics? Yes, they are! The bioactive compounds present in abundance in the blueberries maintain blood sugar levels. Plus, the insulin response and glucose metabolism are also improved by eating blueberries.
Excellent To Protect Heart
A study was conducted on blueberries’ health effects, and it was concluded that those who frequently eat blueberries have stable cholesterol levels.
Oxidation in the blood causes rise in LDL (bad cholesterol levels). Since there are “Antioxidants” in blueberries, bad cholesterol levels remain low.
Improve Brain Functioning
There is potassium present in the blueberries that are crucial for smooth communication between the brain and nerve cells; hence, the brain functioning is improved.
Great For Wound Healing
Ancient people used to eat berries to heal wounds quickly. Today’s science has confirmed that blueberries contain vitamin K, which has excellent healing properties.
Aids in Digestion
The fiber content in the blueberries improves digestion and relieves constipation.
So, these are the health benefits that you can enjoy if you eat blueberries in moderation. You might be wondering, How many blueberries can I eat? Well, you should eat 100-gram blueberries twice a week for better effects on the body.
Foods That You Can Eat With Blueberries?
If the acidity content in the blueberries is still troubling you, then you can eat these delicious berries with some other foods to balance it out.
Blueberries taste better with the following foods:
Acidity Level of Other Berries
Want to know what the acidity levels of other berries are? We often get questions like Are strawberries acidic, or Are raspberries good for acid reflux? Well, you can know the answers to these questions by checking out the pH value of the berries.
| Berries | pH value |
| Cranberries | 3.0 |
| Strawberries | 3.0-3.5 |
| Raspberries | 3.2-3.6 |
| Elderberries | 4.9 |
By looking at the chart, it is clear that cranberries are the most acidic berries while elderberries are the least acidic.
People also wonder- Are strawberries more acidic than blueberries? Well, both strawberries and blueberries have more or less the same pH value, so there is not much difference between their acidity levels.
FAQs
- What are the least acidic fruits?
The fruits that are low in acidity levels are bananas, cantaloupe, watermelon, dates, avocados, etc. These fruits can be eaten without worry by those who have acid reflux, heartburn, or GERD.
- Are blueberries acidic for babies?
Absolutely Yes, it is better not to give blueberries to babies to eat. A child whose age is less than three can have difficulty digesting the blueberries. Such a child may also feel stomach pain and acidity due to this fruit.
- Are blueberries acidic for teeth?
Yes, eating lots of blueberries can affect the teeth. The acidity in them can cause teeth enamel to erode, thus making them look really bad.
Wrapping Up
Blueberries are one of the most beautiful and delicious fruits we have. However, Health conscious people often think eating blueberries may be harmful to the body as they may cause acid reflux, heartburn, and GERD. So, Are blueberries acidic?
Yes, blueberries are acidic, with a pH value ranging from 3.11 to 3.33, but it is not enough to cause any health complications if you eat them in moderation. If you eat 100 grams of blueberries twice a week, you can enjoy a number of health benefits like better heart health, prevention from cancer, aids in digestion, anti-aging effects, wound healing, etc. So, keep eating the blueberries and keep living a healthy lifestyle.
