Is Tuna Acidic? Here Lies The Interesting Answer!

By - Haleema Sadia

Tuna is very popular among different cuisines all over the world. There are almost fifteen different species of tuna and people eat them in different ways. Apart from being delicious, it is a healthy fish variety to add to your daily diet. 

Although tuna has an excellent nutrition profile, is tuna acidic?

The quantity of tuna fish you eat will decide whether it will cause acid reflux or not. Because tuna in a moderate amount is not very acidic, it has more benefits than harms. However, the situation varies for different people. Those who have a sensitive digestive system may get acid reflux after eating tuna.

This article will explain the in-depth scenario of how much quantity of tuna can be acidic. 

Also, you will get to know about the health benefits and disadvantages of eating tuna. So let’s dive deep into the facts.

You may also like: What Does Tuna Taste Like?

Nutrition Facts of Tuna

Tuna contains a variety of healthy vitamins and minerals that are advantageous for human health. 

A 100 gram of tuna contains 132 calories. The following table demonstrates the nutritional value of tuna fish.

Although tuna is rich in all these vitamins and minerals, the quantity of tuna you eat should be moderate, so that it doesn’t cause Acid Reflux. 

What Does Tuna Do for Your Body

People who love to eat tuna fish mostly remain curious about whether tuna is good for you or not. 

So, Can tuna upset your stomach? What about canned tuna? Is canned tuna good or bad? So, here is what happens to your body when you eat tuna according to experts’ recommendations.

The health experts suggest that you should eat tuna at least once or twice a week. 

Tuna contains a handsome amount of proteins that are necessary to build muscles. It also contains a wide range of Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are good for a healthy heart.

Moreover, tuna provides a good amount of micronutrients as well as macronutrients to your body. Nutrients like Vitamin C, zinc, manganese, and iron are present in considerable amounts in tuna fish. 

Also, it is a rich source of selenium, hence it boosts your immunity.

So far, we have come to know about the brighter aspects of eating tuna fish. 

However, it may have certain harmful effects such as gastroesophageal reflux or acid reflux. All of it depends on how much and which variety of tuna fish you are eating.

Is Tuna Acidic

Foods that have a low pH are acidic but tuna falls in the range of 5.5 to 6.2, so it is slightly acidic. 

If you eat a more than recommended amount of tuna, it can stimulate your stomach to produce much acid and hence cause acid reflux.

However, tuna is high in sodium. The salts present in tuna can help to get relief from acid reflux. That’s why many people eat tuna for acid reflux. 

These salts may neutralize the acid in your stomach. However, high sodium is also dangerous in other aspects. 

So, Is tuna okay for acid reflux? It also depends upon the species of tuna you’re choosing to eat. 

Out of 15 species of tuna, some are highly acidic while the others are mildly acidic.

Also, if you’re eating canned tuna, it is important to have proper knowledge of its ingredients to know the extent of its acidity.

Is Tuna Healthy for You? Benefits & Side Effects!

Tuna is a healthy fish variety that has a lot of health benefits. The major nutrients such as proteins present in tuna fish are important building blocks of the human body. That’s the reason tuna is healthy for you. 

Following are some major health benefits and side effects of tuna fish.

Health Benefits:

Tuna fish has some pretty awesome health benefits. 

It is the best source of anti-inflammatory agents and is very convenient to eat.

Following are the health benefits of eating canned tuna or fresh tuna.

• Tuna fish is a source of Omega-3 fatty acids that improve heart health and reduce the risk of coronary heart diseases.

• Tuna contains potassium which is a vasodilator, hence it lowers your blood pressure and reduces the risk of hypertension.

• Tuna contains vitamin A that can protect the eyes and can prevent age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

• Tuna can fulfill eight percent of your daily protein requirements and is good for your hair, nails, and skin.

• Tuna stimulates the production of leptin which can reduce overeating and hence can cause weight loss.

• Tuna is a rich source of vitamin C, zinc, and manganese that can boost your immunity and help you fight against infections.

• The high amount of B complex vitamins present in tuna can boost your energy levels, especially after an exercise.

• Tuna has anti-inflammatory properties hence, it reduces the risk of inflammatory diseases and improves blood circulation.

• The anti-cancer properties of tuna reduce the risk of colorectal cancer and prevent other metastatic diseases.

• Tuna can maintain fluid balance in your body, hence it maintains the health of your kidneys.

All these health benefits make tuna a superfood. However, some of its species are harmful and can cause acid reflux and other diseases.

Side Effects of Eating Too Much Tuna:

No doubt, tuna can have many health benefits, however, too much tuna can be bad for your health. 

Following are the disadvantages of eating too much tuna fish.

• In pregnant women, high levels of mercury in tuna fish can cause developmental abnormalities in the fetus.

• Tuna can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea in certain individuals.

• ‘’Does canned tuna have a lot of sodium’’ is a common question. Yes, Canned tuna is high in sodium and can cause high blood pressure.

• Mercury poisoning can also cause loss of memory and double vision.

• The high salt content in tuna can cause a bloated belly and water retention in your body.

Canned tuna has a greater number of side effects than any other type of tuna. This is due to the presence of preservatives in it. 

It is good to eat fresh tuna to avoid acid reflux or any other harmful effects.

Is Tuna Good for Gastritis

Gastritis is the inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach, because of too much acid production. This acid can also become a cause of acid reflux. 

The question is, can I eat tuna with acid reflux? It depends on how much tuna you eat. 

Tuna fish contains a lot of protein. To digest this protein, the stomach has to produce a lot of acids. This can lead to acid reflux.

So, does tuna fish give you heartburn? Yes, it does! And If you’re already suffering from gastritis, it is not at all wise to eat a lot of tuna fish, as it can further aggravate acid reflux. 

Hence, tuna is not good for the patients having the problem of gastritis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is canned tuna good for acid reflux?

It depends on the ingredients present in tuna fish. If there are more acidic ingredients present in tuna fish, it will increase the acid production in the stomach and will cause heartburn.

Can tuna cause indigestion?

Yes, tuna can cause indigestion if you’re already suffering from an upset stomach. Sometimes, it is difficult for your stomach to digest large quantities of protein, hence it causes indigestion. This is very common in pregnancy.

Can you eat tuna with acid reflux?

Fresh tuna in a moderate amount does not harm your stomach. It also doesn’t aggravate the symptoms of acid reflux. However, if you eat canned tuna in high amounts with acidic preservatives present in it, it can harm your stomach.

Bottom Line

Is tuna acidic? According to its pH, tuna is mildly acidic. 

However, different species of tuna are different. Also, canned tuna has different levels of acidity as compared to fresh tuna. 

Apart from being acidic, tuna has a variety of health benefits. It is very healthy for the proper functioning of your mind and body. So, it is good to eat tuna in a moderate amount, so that you can reap its benefits without getting acid reflux or mercury poisoning.