Are Olives Alkaline or Acidic? Read What We Have Found Out!

By - Nabtahil Noor

Other than that, the reason why olives are very popular these days is their astonishing health benefits. But you must have heard some myths about Olive’s acidic properties. Obviously, that’s why you are here, right? Don’t worry; we came up with this article to tell you everything about it.

So, are olives Alkaline or acidic in nature? 

Yes, olives are mildly acidic, with a pH level varying from 3.6 to 6.6, depending upon the variety. Black olives are considered close to neutral, while green olives have the lowest pH. 

Want to know What effect they have on a person with acidic reflux and much more? Then keep reading.

Are Olives Alkaline or Acidic?

Olea europaea (commonly known as Olive) is building a reputation as a unique fruit that has a salty taste. It is mostly used in Mediterranean dishes as the main ingredient and has a mouth-watering flavor. 

But is food all about having a good flavor? Absolutely not! It’s very important to have knowledge regarding their pH and nutritional value. These two factors of any food have a major association with our health. 

Before we discuss the acidity or alkalinity of olives, you must know what exactly these terms refer to. In simple words, acidity is basically the level of acidic property of any substance. Similarly, basicity or alkalinity is the value that tells us how basic or non-acidic the substance is. 

We usually use the pH scale to measure the acidic or basic behavior of any substance. 

To start with, the pH scale has numbers from 0 to 14. If a substance’s pH value is below 7, it’s declared acidic. But if its PH is above 7, it’s considered a basic substance, while number 7 is neutral.

Now we know what acidity and basicity mean. Talking about olives, there are different varieties of this fruit. Each variety has different acidity. Interesting, isn’t it? 

Let’s see the pH value of different olives down below and find out their acidity and alkalinity.

Although olives are quite acidic (as shown in the table above), they are not harmful to your health. 

Let us now tell you Do olives cause acid reflux or not?

Can You Eat Olives With Acid Reflux?

Just like most other fruits, you can also eat olives if the stomach acid levels are not stable. Yep, they are fruits too!

When it comes to people with acid reflux, it is dependent on the type of Olive you use. People ask us, “can I eat black olives with acid reflux?” Yes, it is recommended by experts that a person with acidic reflux should eat black olives instead of green olives. It is because green olives’ pH is higher than black olives. 

Moreover, black olives are more alkaline in nature, making them ideal for persons who suffer from acid reflux illness and experience heartburn symptoms after eating acidic foods.

To be on the safer side, If you follow a Mediterranean diet or simply enjoy eating olives in your meal, combining them with alkaline foods can help you avoid acid reflux and heartburn.

Moreover, fermented olives such as those used in pickles should be avoided by a person with acid reflux or any heart disease. The reason is that fermentation or any kind of food processing of olives causes an increase in their acidic nature.

Now, it’s time for you to learn about Olive Oil.

Is Olive Oil Acidic?

Olive oil is slightly acidic and does not increase stomach acid levels. There is now a trend of using only extra virgin olive oil. The difference between regular olive oil and extra virgin olive oil is that the former is a blend of processed and cold-processed oil, while the latter is made purely from cold-pressed olives. 

You might be wondering, is virgin olive oil good for acid reflux? Yes, it is good to have extra virgin olive oil if you suffer from acid because its pH is less than two percent.

Let us now tell you how many olives you can eat. 

How Many Olives Can We Eat in a Day

Experts recommend consuming only 56–84 g of olives per day (that is 2-3 ounces). Simply put, you can eat 16–24 small to medium-sized olives daily. But still, if you have any concerns with eating foods that are more acidic such as green olives, consult your doctor first before making them part of your meal.

We suggest you go for black olives. They are a good option because they’re more on the neutral side. But if you have acid reflux, you should still eat them less. Also, if you want to neutralize the acidic effect further, the popular way is to consume them with low-fat yogurt. 

Are you thinking about what happens when you eat too many olives? Consuming far more than the recommended quantity can create not just a pH imbalance in the body but also water retention and, eventually, fat accumulation in the arteries and around the belly. That is why eating lots of olives is bad for you. 

Even if you consume olives in moderation, make sure you are eating only the top-quality ones. 

What Happens If You Eat Bad Olives

In the worst-case scenario, if your olives were really nasty or you ate too many, you may get severe diarrhea or vomiting, as well as the risk of dehydration. Botulism can also be contracted through badly prepared or stored olives. But the question here is, how will you know if the Olive is expired or bad to eat? 

Here the fragrance is the first thing you’ll notice when you open the can or container of rotten olives. The smell of rotting olives is similar to that of rotting fruit.

Olives are also susceptible to mold infestation as well as bacteria. If you see it on the skin, then don’t eat such olives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are Kalamata Olives acidic or alkaline?

Kalamata olives have a pH between 4.7 to 6.0. So, they are considered mildly acidic and should not be overconsumed if you don’t want stomach acidity levels to increase. 

Which acids are present in the Olive?

Oleic acid is commonly found in olives. In addition, Ascorbic and linoleic acids are also present in these fruits.

Is Olive Oil Good for Dogs?

Yes, olive oil is an excellent source of vitamins and Omega-3 content. So, giving olive oil frequently can strengthen a dog’s immunity and also give a glow to the skin.

Bottom Line

People ask us, are olives alkaline or not, and the answer is most olives are acidic in nature. But they don’t cause any harm if you eat them in moderation. 

Plus, it is even more beneficial when taken with alkaline food. However, we still suggest going for black olives only if you have stomach acidity. Moreover, most olives become even more acidic when pickled or fermented, So they must be avoided as well.  

If you also want to stay healthy, then we recommend you add olives and olive oil to your daily diet plan.