Carrots are somewhat acidic, but they have an alkalizing effect on the body, making them a good vegetable for those who suffer from acid reflux.
Once digested, certain acidic meals have an alkalizing impact on the body. The alkalizing minerals salt and magnesium contained in Bugs Bunny’s favorite vegetable help the kidneys maintain your body’s pH level. They are also high in nutrients and fiber, which may help with acid reflux.
But what about those that have been cooked or canned? Or how about carrot juice with baby carrots? Can you maintain a low-acid diet with these substitutes? Let’s take a closer look at their pH levels and how these vegetables effect acid reflux.
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pH Value of Carrots
Raw carrots have a pH level that is near to neutral, ranging from 5.88 to 6.40. They are an excellent addition to an alkaline diet because they have a net alkalizing impact on the body, as shown by prospective renal acid load assessments (PRAL).
The pH scale is used to assess whether something is acidic or alkaline. Anything between 0 and 6 is acidic, whereas anything between 7 and 14 is alkaline, with 7 being neutral.
Strawberries, for example, have a pH range of 3 to 3.5. These veggies, on the other hand, are just weakly acidic, approaching neutral.
pH Value of Different Carrot Products
Carrot acidity varies due to the variety of shapes and forms available. Let’s look at their pH levels.
| Carrot | pH Level |
|---|---|
| Raw | 5.88 — 6.40 |
| Canned | 5.18 — 5.22 |
| Chopped | 5.30 — 5.56 |
| Cooked | 5.58 — 6.03 |
| Pureed | 4.55 — 5.80 |
| Strained | 5.10 |
| Baby carrots | 5.88 — 6.40 |
| Carrot juice | 6 |
The Importance of pH Value
With a pH of 7.35 7.45, our bodies are midway in the middle of the pH scale, indicating that we are moderately alkaline.
Inflammed gums, poor energy, persistent weariness, elevated heart rate, weak, brittle bones, headache, disorientation, and drowsiness are all symptoms of an acidic body.
When the body becomes overly alkaline, we may experience twitching, increased urination, irritation, lightheadedness, hand tremor, and muscular spasms.
Keeping your blood at a neutral pH (about 7) maintains your energy levels and enables oxygen to get where it needs to go. That is why it is important to eat a well-balanced diet low in acidic foods and high in alkaline-friendly veggies like carrots.
Do Carrots Cause Acid Reflux & GERD?
Because of their high alkaline content, these modest vegetables are unlikely to cause acid reflux. That is, despite having a somewhat acidic pH, carrots have an alkalizing impact on our bodies owing to their powerful components.
To begin with, carrots are high in potassium and magnesium, two of the most effective alkalizing elements that raise blood pH. Furthermore, they contain citric acid, which regulates the pH level of the urine after digestion.
But what exactly is acid reflux? If you consume a high-fat or acidic meal, you may have a burning sensation in your chest and an infrequent burp that leaves a terrible taste and an unpleasant feeling in your stomach.
Acid reflux happens when stomach acid rises into the food pipe and causes this. If you have identical symptoms more than twice a week, you have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
Let’s take a deeper look at why carrots can be the miracle vegetable for acid reflux and GERD.
Why Are Carrots Good for Acid Reflux?
Because they are high in fiber, antioxidants, and important vitamins, these vegetables may help relieve acid reflux symptoms.
Carrots Are Rich in Fiber
This superfood has a high fiber content of 2.8g per 100g.
Fiber absorbs extra stomach acid, avoiding or alleviating acid reflux.
Furthermore, fiber promotes the establishment of good gut microbiota, which is crucial for warding off harmful bacteria and maintaining a healthy environment in the gastrointestinal tract.
Fiber-rich meals aid digestion and help us prevent constipation, lowering our risk of acid reflux.
Carrots Are Rich in Antioxidants
These veggies are high in beta-carotene and vitamin C, both of which are powerful antioxidants.
These antioxidants neutralize free radicals in the body to prevent oxidative stress, which is caused by an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants.
Antioxidants benefit people suffering from GERD and acid reflux in the following ways:
- increasing endogenous antioxidant levels, which are metabolic agents in your body;
- reducing pepsin and gastric acid production, the enzyme and stomach acid responsible for meal digestion;
- Keeping ulcer sores from injuring the stomach mucosa, which is the lining of our stomach that protects us from acids;
Carrots Are Rich in Essential Micronutrients
Carrots are high in vitamins A, C, E, K, and B6, which serve as the structural basis for the whole body, not just the digestive system.
Although these micronutrients do not specifically cure acid reflux or GERD, they are powerful enough to boost our metabolism and immunity, allowing us to battle and heal the tissues damaged by acid reflux or GERD.
Can Carrot Intolerance Play a Role in Heartburn?
If you are one of the tiny fraction of individuals who are sensitive to certain veggies, you may have digestive issues, including heartburn, after eating them.
Consuming too much fiber at once may also result in stomach pain and other gastrointestinal discomfort symptoms such as gas, bloating, and cramps.
If you are prone to food allergies and feel that these vegetables are causing your symptoms, avoid eating them until your symptoms subside.
For the rest of us, two of these vegetables each day should enough.
Conclusion
Carrots are one of the least acidic vegetables, with a pH close to neutral (5.886.40).
Whole grains, such as popcorn, and fiber-rich vegetables, such as carrots, may help reduce the symptoms of GERD and acid reflux by absorbing excess stomach acids.
They also include antioxidants, as well as vitamins C, A, K, E, and B6, which promote the health of your stomach and digestive system.
Because of their alkalizing characteristics, raw carrots are an excellent supplement to a healthy diet. Cooked, canned, sliced, purred, strained, juiced, and baby carrots are all the same.