• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Tastylicious
  • Subscribe
  • Recipes
  • Health
  • Cooking
  • Reviews
  • Food
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Subscribe
  • Recipes
  • Health
  • Cooking
  • Reviews
  • Food
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Subscribe
  • Recipes
  • Health
  • Cooking
  • Reviews
  • Food
×
Home » Acidic Foods

Are Onions Acidic?

shirinMedically Reviewed by Shirin Buta · Written by Rizza Joyce Mira, MD · Updated on August 18, 2023

Many people love onions, an important food staple in most cultures. Many cuisines have specialty dishes that highlight their pungency and intense flavor, and they can be found in everything from salads to curries.

are onions acidic

However, many vegetables are acidic and can trigger symptoms like heartburn in people suffering from acid reflux, or GERD.

Table of Contents
  • Are Onions Acidic or Alkaline?
  • The pH of Onions
  • Are Onions Good for You?
  • The Health Benefits of Onions
  • Will Eating Onions Give You Heartburn?
  • Related Questions

Are Onions Acidic or Alkaline?

With a pH of between 5 and 5.8, onions are acidic. Although cooking onions does not cause significant changes in their acidity, using non-acidic ingredients with onions neutralizes their effects.

Don't know what to drink? Check out these articles: 20 Most and Least Acidic Juices and 20+ Alcoholic Drinks Ranked by Acidity Level

The pH of Onions

What Kinds of Onions Are There?

Red and white onions have a pH of 5.8, whereas yellow onions are closer to 5.6.

Onions' pH may change slightly as they cook, but they'll still be acidic.

RELATED: Is Asparagus Acidic?

Are Onions Good for You?

Onions are rich in vitamins, minerals, and potent compounds that benefit your health.

A medium onion only has around 40 calories but contains a good amount of vitamin C, which boosts your immune system, aids collagen production and iron absorption, and supports tissue repair.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant, protecting against cellular damage from free radicals.

Onions also contain vitamin B, which helps regulate your metabolism, supports red blood cell production, and aids nerve function.

RELATED: 15 Alkaline Foods You Should Include in Your Diet

The Health Benefits of Onions

Anti-inflammatory compounds in onions can help reduce high blood pressure and blood clots.

An antioxidant in onions, quercetin, lowers your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.

One study found that in a sample of 70 overweight people, a daily dose of quercetin-rich onion extract reduced their blood pressure significantly.

Another study had 54 women with polycystic ovarian syndrome consume 40 to 50 grams of raw red onions daily, reducing their bad cholesterol levels.

RELATED: Is Bok Choy Acidic?

Will Eating Onions Give You Heartburn?

young man crying while cutting onions
Why Does Chopping Onions Make You Cry?

If you suffer from acid reflux, onions may trigger your heartburn, but this varies from person to person.

Cooked onions are less likely to do so than raw ones. This also depends on what you mix onions with.

RELATED: Are Strawberries Acidic?

Related Questions

Who Produces the Most Onions?

China is the leading producer, with 11 million tons produced annually. Next is India, followed by the U.S.

Who eats the most onions?

The average Libyan eats 66 pounds of onions per year.

How many onion varieties are there?

There are dozens, if not more, of onion varieties.

How do you get rid of onion breath?

The best way to eliminate onion breath is to eat parsley.

Why does chopping onions make you cry?

When you cut an onion, enzymes mix with the sulfur in the onion and form a sulfonic acid, syn-propanethial-S-oxide. This evaporates quickly and causes a burning sensation in your eyes.

Don't know what to drink? Check out these articles: 20 Most and Least Acidic Juices and 20+ Alcoholic Drinks Ranked by Acidity Level

Primary Sidebar

shirin

Shirin is a registered Medical Laboratory Scientist who teaches Immunology and Serology subjects. In her free time, she writes health-related articles to help advocate the prevention of lifestyle and infectious diseases. When not teaching or writing, she loves to try new food and attempts to recreate them at home.

More about us →

More Posts

  • Best Onion Substitutes for CookingBest Onion Substitutes for Cooking
  • 17 Best Green Onion Substitutes for Cooking17 Best Green Onion Substitutes for Cooking
  • Top 10 Onion Powder Substitutes for CookingTop 10 Onion Powder Substitutes for Cooking
  • 7 Common Onion Types + How To Prepare Them7 Common Onion Types + How To Prepare Them

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025