{"id":7851,"date":"2022-08-12T12:42:51","date_gmt":"2022-08-12T12:42:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.foodchamps.org\/?p=7851"},"modified":"2022-09-17T20:51:10","modified_gmt":"2022-09-17T20:51:10","slug":"are-tomatoes-acidic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.foodchamps.org\/are-tomatoes-acidic\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Tomatoes Acidic? (How to Reduce Acidity)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tomatoes are one of the most popular fruits in the world. They can be found in many dishes, from pasta and pizza to burgers, salads, and even drinks. In fact, they were even classified as a vegetable by the US Supreme Court<\/a>, thanks to their many culinary applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While their classification is somewhat controversial (botanists insist they are a fruit), their acidity is not. Whether we eat them raw in sandwiches and salads or cooked in sauces and soups, they stay on the acidic side of the pH scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the flip side, they are rich in fiber, a nutrient that soaks up excess acid in the stomach, so consuming them in moderation can be beneficial for digestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s see the pH values for different tomato varieties and products and discuss some ways you can make them less acidic.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Tomatoes\"
Tomatoes<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

<\/a>pH Value of Tomatoes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tomatoes have a pH value of 4.3 \u2014 4.9, so they fall on the acidic side on the pH scale. This scale ranges from 0 to 14 and classifies foods into three categories: acidic, neutral, and alkaline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acidic foods are foods with a pH value from 0 to 6. Mangoes, for instance, have a pH of 5.8 to 6, so they are considered acidic, like tomatoes. Seven is considered neutral, like popcorn and water. Anything above seven is alkaline, like most meat, seafood, and green veggies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>pH Value of Different Types of Tomatoes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are more than 19,000 varieties worldwide. They come in different shapes, sizes, and colors, from small cherry ones to giant beefsteak varieties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common varieties have a similar pH range, so it doesn\u2019t make a huge difference which one you choose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tomatoes Type<\/th>pH Value<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Standard<\/td>4.3<\/td><\/tr>
Cherry<\/td>4.2<\/td><\/tr>
Patio<\/td>4.2<\/td><\/tr>
White<\/td>4.2<\/td><\/tr>
Yellow<\/td>4.2<\/td><\/tr>
Orange<\/td>4.3<\/td><\/tr>
Pear<\/td>4.4<\/td><\/tr>
Elongated<\/td>4.5<\/td><\/tr>
Beefsteak<\/td>4.2<\/td><\/tr>
Belgian giant<\/td>4.3<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>What Makes Tomatoes Acidic?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tomatoes are acidic in nature due to the presence of four weak organic acids: folic, citric, ascorbic, and malic acids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The acidity of these fruits is inversely related to their maturity. A ripe specimen has a greater pH value, whereas an unripe one has a lower pH value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they are unripe, malic acid makes up the majority of the acids present, and as they ripen, citric acid becomes more prevalent. Because unripe ones contain greater quantities of acids, they should be avoided, especially when you\u2019re experiencing heartburn symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Do Tomatoes Cause Acid Reflux and GERD?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the pH of these fruits is not as low as, say, strawberries (pH of 3 \u2014 3.5), they can still increase stomach acid production, resulting in acid reflux and potentially GERD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acid reflux happens when the stomach contents rise and enter the esophagus. It is described as a burning sensation in the chest, also known as heartburn, followed by regurgitation and an acidic taste in the back of the mouth. If it occurs frequently, it develops into a chronic condition called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The malic and citric acid found in tomatoes may trigger GERD, especially in patients more sensitive to acids. Even if you don\u2019t often experience heartburn, it\u2019s best to eat them in moderate amounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Can Tomato Products Cause Acid Reflux and GERD?<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Acid
Acid Reflux<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Yes, tomato products may cause symptoms of acid reflux and GERD due to additives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The four most prevalent tomato products are canned tomatoes, puree, juice, and soup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The acidity of these products changes depending on the additives they contain and the cooking methods employed. The pH level of tomato soup is the least acidic, ranging from 4.62 to 5.50. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Puree and tomato juice have similar pH levels ranging from 4.1 to 4.6. Canned tomatoes are the most acidic, with a pH of around 3.5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>How to Reduce the pH Value of Tomatoes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a couple of ways to make them less acidic, such as removing their seeds or consuming them with alkaline foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t want to eliminate these delicious fruits from your diet, here are a few hacks to lower their acidity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n