Is Pineapple Juice Acidic? Here's What You Need to Know

If you deal with acid reflux or other gut issues, you may have been told to avoid acidic foods and aim for an alkaline diet — an eating plan based on the idea that maintaining appropriate pH levels in the body is crucial for good health and disease prevention.

While there's not much research to support an alkaline diet, it can be helpful to know if pineapple juice is acidic, as high-acid foods can irritate certain conditions.

Here, learn about pineapple juice's pH and who may want to avoid it.

Foods and beverages with pH values below 7 are acidic, per Oklahoma State University. Pineapple is very acidic — fresh pineapple's pH is 3.3 to 5.2, and canned pineapple's pH is 3.5.

Pineapple juice is also acidic, with a pH value between 3.2 and 4, per Clemson University.

In general, fruits and vegetables with a pH value of 7 are classified as neutral. And those with a pH value above 7 are alkaline.

Other fruits high in acid include the following, per Oklahoma State University:

• ‌Apples:‌ 3.3 to 4
• ‌Apple juice:‌ 3.4 to 4
• ‌Bananas:‌ 4.5 to 5.2
• ‌Grapefruit:‌ 3 to 3.75
• ‌Grapes:‌ 2.8 to 3
• ‌Lemon juice:‌ 2 to 2.6
• ‌Lime juice:‌ 2 to 2.4
• ‌Oranges:‌ 3.7 to 4.3
• ‌Orange juice:‌ 3.3 to 4.2
• ‌Strawberries:‌ 3 to 3.9

Some low-acid fruits include the following, per Oklahoma State University:

• ‌Honeydew melon:‌ 6 to 6.7
  
• ‌Black olives:‌ 6 to 7
• ‌Papaya:‌ 5.2 to 6
• ‌Mangoes:‌ 5.8 to 6
• ‌Dates:‌ 6.3 to 6.6
• ‌Persian melon:‌ 6 to 6.3

Most fruits have an acidic pH. But health organizations, such as the USDA, emphasize the benefits of eating fruit every day. An alkaline diet, on the other hand, is pretty low in fruit, which may result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

The good news: Pineapple juice is chock-full of vitamins, antioxidants and bioactive compounds that promote overall health. Here are some of the benefits of eating pineapple or drinking pineapple juice:

• ‌Vitamin C:‌ One cup of pineapple juice boasts 63 percent of your recommended daily dose of vitamin C as well as a bit of calcium, potassium and iron, per the USDA.
• ‌Bromelain:‌ Pineapple is also the only dietary source of bromelain, an enzyme that supports protein digestion and is linked to fighting inflammation and reducing bruising. This naturally occurring compound may be just as potent as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, according to a January 2017 review by Aga Khan University.
• ‌Hydration:‌ Additionally, pineapple juice is high in water content, which can help keep you hydrated and prevent constipation, per the Cleveland Clinic.

From a nutritional standpoint, there's no reason to eliminate pineapple juice from your diet completely. But there are a few side effects of drinking too much pineapple juice, depending on your body:

If you have acid reflux, eating and drinking acidic foods like pineapple juice may make your symptoms worse. Acid reflux symptoms include a burning sensation in your chest or stomach (which may get worse when lying down), a sour taste in your mouth, burping, nausea and more, per the Mayo Clinic.

Treatment options for acid reflux include:

• Keeping a food diary to track what's causing your symptoms
• Antacids like Alka-Seltzer and TUMS
• H2 Blockers like Pepcid AC and Zantac 360
• Proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec and Nexium
• Lifestyle changes like eating smaller meals, exercising frequently and avoiding bedtime snacking

If you have sensitive teeth, you may want to limit acidic drinks like pineapple juice. In large amounts, they may cause dental erosion and tooth loss, according to the American Dental Association. This can also happen with any drink with pH levels between 3.2 and 5.

But if you drink pineapple juice in moderation and practice good brushing and flossing habits, it is unlikely to harm your teeth.

Another downside is that pineapple juice has a lot of sugar. This can be tricky for someone trying to lower their blood sugar levels, or someone dealing with hyperglycemia due to diabetes. Regular pineapple, however, does have lots of fiber, fewer calories and less sugar than pineapple ‌juice‌, so it may help to stabilize blood sugars, per the USDA.

If you have diabetes or high blood sugar levels and are unsure if you can enjoy pineapple as part of a balanced diet, talk with your doctor or a nutritionist, who can suggest portion sizes and alternative fruits.