Quick Answer: Are Blueberries Acidic?

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Blueberries are not particularly thought of as being a highly acidic fruit. However, they do have a slightly acidic nature to them. This means that people who are on low-acid diets should avoid eating blueberries as much as possible.

Are Blueberries Acidic?

Do you love to eat blueberries? Many people do, and this fruit is definitely a healthy choice for numerous reasons. You may wonder if they are acidic at all.

The short answer to this is that yes, blueberries are acidic, but what does this mean in terms of blueberries and your health?

How Much Acid Do Blueberries Have?

Blueberries are slightly acidic, though they do lie at the lower end of the pH scale. This means that people who have a low-acid diet shouldn’t consume blueberries in large quantities.

Many individuals are able to eat blueberries in moderation, just like anything else.

The key is to learn as much as possible about this fruit and consider the pros and cons before you make them a part of your diet – with or without modifications and alterations.

Have you been curious about blueberries, their acidic content, and if their benefits outweigh the potential health issues?

There’s a lot to know about this superfood fruit and we’ve got the breakdown of the most important information you’ll want to know about blueberries.

What Role Does pH Play In Whether You Can Eat Blueberries?

You’ll want to pay attention to the pH level of what you’re eating when you are concerned about the acid content of your foods and beverages.

Blueberries are a bit tricky, since this level does vary depending on the variety of blueberries you have.

However, it does tend to stay in the 3.11-3.33 range with wild blueberries being the lowest on the scale at a pH range of 4.2 to 5, frozen at 3.7, and the cooked or dried varieties at 3.1 to 3.4.

The pH scale has a range between 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral (neither acidic nor alkaline/basic). 0 is the most acidic, while 14 is the maximum in alkalinity.

As long as you use caution, you should be able to eat blueberries if you test out some different varieties and ways of eating them such as jam, juice, or baked in a pie.

The following should help give you a good idea of the range of food items and where blueberries compare to other foods:

Image found at the following site: Acid and Alkaline Chart – Herbaldashery

What Is It That Makes Blueberries Acidic?

This type of berry is rich when it comes to arginine, ascorbic, and citric acids.

Arginine is an amino acid that is present at 55 mg per 100 g of this fruit, while they have 22.1 mg of ascorbic acid in the form of vitamin C per 100 g, and citric acid comprises between 77 and 87 percent of the organic acids in blueberries.

Can You Eat Blueberries If You’ve Got Acid Reflux?

It’s probably in your best interest that you avoid eating blueberries if you have acid reflux issues. When you have too many blueberries, this can worsen GERD and acid reflux symptoms.

If your primary doctor or a gastroenterologist recommends that you go on a low-acid diet, you’d do well to avoid blueberries as much as possible.

Is Blueberry Jam A Better Choice If You Have Acid Reflux?

Can you eat blueberry jam if you suffer from the discomfort and pain of acid reflux? The answer to this may surprise you since there’s some other things added in there.

Store-bought blueberry jams can actually cause worse problems for individuals than the fruit by itself.

If you are a fan of jam, you’ll be pleased to know that you can still enjoy this treat with your morning toast, pancakes, or PB & J sandwiches.

You can make it yourself and then you know that there won’t be any excessive or surprising additives that will irritate your stomach.

You can add in the exact amount of sugar and use the most pure form and you can use organic fruit that won’t have nasty chemicals that will negatively impact your health.

If you decide that you’d like to have store-bought jam, try to look for those that are low in added sugars and preservatives. Then, try out just a tiny bit at first so that you can see how it will affect you.

This is ideal when it comes to any foods that have even the smallest level of acidity.

Can You Drink Blueberry Juice When You Have Acid Reflux?

If you experience issues from acid reflux, GERD, or a similar condition with an imbalance of acids in your body, you might struggle when it comes to most types of juice you get from the store.

There are more options today than ever before that have been created to have a lower amount of acid and added sugars that can wreak havoc for such individuals.

The truth is that blueberry juice has about the same pH level as raw blueberries, but they are lower in fiber.

They don’t absorb stomach acid and they can cause a worsening of GERD and acid reflux symptoms so doctors typically will tell you to eat the raw blueberries instead.

You also have to use a lot more blueberries to make the juice than if you’re just snacking on them, which increases the amount of sugar.

RELATED: Are Avocados Acidic, And Bad For Acid Reflux?

Do Blueberries Cause Acid Reflux Disorder?

You may wonder if you’re likely to cause acid reflux just by eating foods that are acidic, such as blueberries.

The fact of the matter is that while this berry is going to cause you discomfort if you already have such a condition, it simply won’t cause it outright.

You shouldn’t have a serious acid reflux issue unless you consume the fruit in large quantities.

If you consume your blueberries in or along with foods or drinks that don’t have acidity, it will be much better for you healthwise.

You can have them in fruit salads (or those with greens), a smoothie with alkaline or neutral things like kale or spinach, or watered down by making your own frozen fruit bars for a nice treat to enjoy on a hot day.

The following are more foods/beverages that you can eat along with your blueberries to neutralize their acidic level:

Potatoes
Yogurt
Walnuts
Almonds
Cashews
Lettuce
Avocado
Millet
Quinoa
Soybeans
Tofu
Tempeh
Fresh milk
Almond milk
Coconut milk
Coconut Water
Herbal tea

Is The Acid In Blueberries Harmful To Your Teeth?

When you eat a large amount of acidic and/or sugary foods or have drinks that are high in acid and sugar, it’s crucial that you take certain measures to prevent issues with your teeth.

You can get cavities and the enamel that makes up the outside of your teeth can wear down over time. Eating blueberries can have a similar effect as when you eat a great deal of candies.

This makes it important that you don’t eat too many, that your brush well, and that you get dental checkups often.

If you consume large amounts of sugary and acidic fruits and don’t take good care of your teeth, you may have cavities and experience tooth erosion.

Most fruits have a high acidic and sugar content that causes tooth damage.

Eating acidic fruits like strawberries and blueberries can have the same effect as consuming too many candies.

That’s why it’s essential to eat these fruits in moderate amounts, brush your teeth two times a day, and have regular dentist check ups.

Are Blueberries Healthy To Eat?

For someone who doesn’t have acid reflux, GERD, or a similar condition that makes eating acidic foods a problem, it’s a good idea to include blueberries in your diet.

You may even be able to do this with some alterations if you have these medical issues.

One of the top reasons to eat blueberries is that they have various essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are beneficial when it comes to digestion and overall gut health.

Of course, you’ll want to consider if it’s worthwhile to include this superfood in your diet based on your needs and any digestive conditions you have.

You would do well to have a balanced diet with this food that’s long been known to be nutritious.

Blueberries have a decent amount of fiber, and they’re about 85 percent water. This means that they are a great source of hydration and ideal for people who have constipation problems.

When you add them to a smoothie, it makes for an especially healthy snack that you can have on the go.

Blueberries are low in fat and calories.

They are high in antioxidants that are said to fight inflammation, improve memory, improve sensitivity to insulin, decrease your risk of cancer, and reduce your risk of a heart attack, among other health benefits.

Consider making them a regular part of your diet if you’re able to digest them without troubles.

RELATED: Is Coconut Water Acidic? and Bad for Acid Reflux?

3 Easy Blueberry Recipes

Blueberries are fantastic because of their flavor. If you like them, you should learn various ways to make delicious things using them.

The best part about these is that there is no wrong way to cook blueberries. They are one of the best things about summer. Blueberries are great for making pies and other bakery stuff.

They taste great, and there are plenty of dishes to make with them. Here are some splendid dishes with blueberries:-

Healthy Blueberry Recipes

Recipes	Calories	Preparation Time
Blueberry Whoopie Pies	70 (per serving)	70 Minutes
Creamy Layered Blueberry Ice Pops	104 (per serving)	40 Minutes
No-Bake Blueberry Cheesecake	373 (per serving)	15 Minutes

1. Blueberry Whoopie Pies

Everybody likes to have cookies with milk, and you can make them at home. The kids will love it. So make these cookies this time and surprise everybody.

For these cookies, you need buttermilk, cheese, sugar, baking powder, and kosher salt. To make these, preheat your oven: whisk flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a bowl.

Take another bowl and use a blender to blitz granulated sugar, butter, brown sugar, and lemon zest till they fluff up. Mix some berries in it and put them onto baking sheets to bake.

Now prepare the filling and then bake the cookies. Now, enjoy your homemade cookies!

Calories Per Serving: 312 (per serving)

Preparation Time: 22 Minutes

Go To Recipe

2. Creamy Layered Blueberry Ice Pops

Kids love ice creams. This time you can give them something you made with many flavors. All you need to make the fantastic ice pop is sugar, berries, agave nectar, rosemary sprig, and lemon juice.

The zest and rosemary sprig will add extra flavors. Place the ingredients in a small pan and bring them to boil for the syrup. Stir it in lemon juice and let it cool off.

Now take another saucepan for blueberries and sugar till they pop. Pipe the mixture into molds and let it freeze till it is firm. Now let the kids enjoy your homemade ice cream.

Calories Per Serving: 312 (per serving)

Preparation Time: 22 Minutes

Go To Recipe

3. No-bake blueberry cheesecake

Here is a dessert that can astonish everybody as it needs no baking. All you need is mascarpone, cheese, shortbread biscuits, unsalted butter, and blueberry jam.

Whiz the butter and shortbread biscuit in a food processor.

Then use the electric beaters to combine mascarpone, cheese, and lavender sugar. Let it rest for an hour.

Now heat blueberries with sugar and jam in a separate pan. Cook until the berries start to pop. Wait till the sauce thickens, and then serve the cake with the blueberry sauce.

Calories Per Serving: 160 (per serving)

Preparation Time: 120 Minutes

Go To Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Benefits Of Blueberries?

There are plenty of benefits to blueberries:

It has antioxidants
Vitamins and minerals
Manage blood sugar and cholesterol
It can reduce your blood pressure.

Is It Ok To Eat Blueberries Every Day?

Yes, it is ok to have blueberries every day. But like excess of everything is terrible, do not get too much into it. Otherwise, getting your daily dose of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants is excellent.

Do Blueberries Have A Lot Of Sugar?

No, not a lot but a moderate amount. A cup of blueberries can have about 15 grams of sugar. But they do not harm blood sugar levels as it has a bioactive compound..

Are Blueberries Acidic? And Bad For Acid Reflux?

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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!