I'm not going to lie. I was not too fond of Brussel sprouts as a child and didn't even start liking them until fairly recently.
Once I finally had them prepared well, my opinions on this vegetable changed. It may have also been because my taste buds changed, but that's not the point.
These vegetables are popular when you search for healthy recipes or meal prep ideas. Since they're popular within the health community, it had me wondering whether Brussel sprouts are acidic or not.
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Are Brussel Sprouts Acidic or Alkaline?
Brussel sprouts are technically acidic! These little tiny cabbage look-alikes have a pH rating of 6 to 6.3, meaning they fall on the acidic side. Brussel sprouts are very close to a neutral pH, so you won't be tasting any sourness when you eat them, and they shouldn't cause you to have any bad reactions when you eat them.
Don't know what to drink? We made a list of more than 20 most and least acidic juices and 20+ alcoholic drinks ranked by acidity levels.
Are Brussel Sprouts Healthy?
I'm sure this won't come as a surprise to you, but Brussel sprouts are great for you. One of the health benefits of eating this vegetable is that it can provide your body with antioxidants.
Antioxidants are beneficial because they can help decrease your chances of developing certain diseases.
A study showed that when people ate around 300 grams of Brussel sprouts a day, the damage that oxidative stress caused to their calls decreased substantially.
No one wants to hear the dreaded C word at the doctor. I'm talking about cancer. Did you know that eating Brussel sprouts often may prevent you from developing cancer?
Properties in this vegetable may be able to prevent carcinogens from harming your body and prevent cancer cells from growing further.
RELATED: Is Cauliflower Acidic? (Good for GERD?)
If you want to take care of your heart health, incorporating Brussel sprouts into your diet may help with that.
Since Brussel sprouts are rich in fiber, this element can help reduce your risk of developing heart disease and lower your cholesterol.
Plus, if you're constipated, eating foods high in fiber can help alleviate that stress on your body.
RELATED: Are Beets Acidic? (How healthy are they?)
Since Brussel Sprouts Are Acidic, Will My Acid Reflux Act Up If I Eat Them?
We're taught that anything with high acidity can cause strain on our bodies and even cause acid reflux. Even though Brussel sprouts fall on the acidic side of the pH scale, they're practically neutral.
Therefore, you shouldn't get any acid reflux or heartburn when you eat them. Keep in mind that everyone's body is different, and just because your friend didn't have a reaction doesn't mean you won't.
Brussel sprouts may even help keep your acid reflux at bay. This green vegetable is alkaline-forming when in your body and low in sugar and fat, which can reduce stomach acid.
RELATED: Are Onions Acidic? (Should you be eating them?)
How To Make Brussel Sprouts Taste Good
Like I mentioned, I did not like Brussel sprouts until recently. When you make these vegetables well, you'll forget you're eating something good for yourself.
A popular way to prepare these vegetables is to roast them in the oven. Once you've cut up the Brussel sprouts, pour a generous amount of olive or cooking oil of your choice on the veggies.
Then add all your seasonings. I prefer some onion and garlic powder along with salt and pepper. The not-so-secret ingredient?
A generous amount of fresh parmesan cheese. I promise you will crave this dish after you try it.
Another favorite way to eat Brussel sprouts is to slather the cooked veggies in buffalo sauce. It's a great vegetarian option to boneless buffalo wings, and it's still pretty healthy!
These vegetables were named after a city in Belgium. Brussels is the capital of this country, and Brussel sprouts were a popular vegetable there in the 16th century.
Since these veggies were named after the most famous city in Belgium, Belgians must eat the most Brussel sprouts, right?
Surprisingly, no. People in the United Kingdom eat more Brussel sprouts than any other country in Europe. Brussel sprouts are still eaten often in Belgium, though.
Some people, like myself, just didn't like Brussel sprouts. There wasn't anything specific. But some people cannot stand the taste because of a specific gene. This gene makes them taste bitter or sour for some.
Don't know what to drink? We made a list of more than 20 most and least acidic juices and 20+ alcoholic drinks ranked by acidity levels.
