Are Pears Acidic or Alkaline?

The word acidic refers to the amount of acid a food contains. A food that is acidic commonly has a sharp or sour taste, anything that makes your nose scrunch.

A pH value is used to identify an acid, a base, or a neutral. Anything with a pH below 7 is considered acidic. Are pears acidic?

Table of Contents

Are Pears Acidic?
What Are Pears?
Is Acidity Bad For You?
Are All Fruits Acidic?
What Makes Fruit Acidic?
What To Do With Acidic Fruits?

Are Pears Acidic?

Pears are acidic. The pH of pears can vary depending on certain genetic and environmental factors. Pears can range from a pH level of 3.6 to as high as 4.0. Eating pears often if you're suffering from acid reflux could potentially worsen your disease.

Fruits with similar pH to pears include apricots, apples, plums, and nectarines. These juicy fruits work well in salads and make for smashing desserts but what are they?

What Are Pears?

Pears are a popular fruit around the world. They are celebrated with parades and festivals and are considered to be a symbol of innocence and inner peace. Pears are hard to bite before maturity (similar to apples) but have a soft, granular texture when ripe.

Originally grown in areas of Asia and Europe these bulbous fruits grow mostly on trees and can be found all over the world. There are over 33 types of pears, and they all belong to the genus Pyrus. In color, pears can range from light green to red, gold, and brown.

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Is Acidity Bad For You?

Many people believe that consuming acidic foods can have an effect on your health. After various studies, it was concluded that the foods we eat do not affect our internal pH. Your body naturally regulates the pH levels in your blood.

When the pH levels of the body become too acidic or too alkaline there may be serious health concerns. Extremely high levels of acidity can put a strain on your lungs and liver (such as in the case of alcoholics) which may cause conditions such as cirrhosis.

While consuming acidic foods may not negatively affect the pH levels in the body, it can adversely affect your teeth. Coffee (which has a pH of 4.8) and other acidic food and drink can cause enamel erosion. One way to help prevent this acid erosion is to neutralize the pH levels in your mouth (and around your teeth and gums) after consuming these foods. Of course, consistent brushing is a must to remove any acidic residue.

Are All Fruits Acidic?

No. While many of the common fruits we eat are acidic, there are some exceptions. Olives, Honey Dew, and Jackfruit are examples of low acidity fruits.

Because they are acidic, some people tend to avoid certain fruits, such as pears. Pears are a valuable source of fiber and vitamins A. C and E. Many fruits also provide essential nutrients like zinc, magnesium, and folic acid. Pears are high in antioxidants (compounds that help protect cells) too.

These properties help to make fruit one of the ultimate fighters against diseases such as cancer.

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What Makes Fruit Acidic?

Pears are naturally acidic. The amounts of organic acid determine the pH. The amount of acid present has a lot to do with the genetics of specific fruits and farming practices. Many studies are currently looking into the environmental factors that can affect the amount of acid in specific fruits and how they affect the overall flavor.

3 major acids naturally occur in fruits. Citric, malic, and tartaric acid. Pears have high levels of both citric and malic acid. Citrus fruits, such as lemons and limes, are high in levels of citric acid, while fruits like Apples and Peaches have high levels of malic acid.

What To Do With Acidic Fruits?

While many high acid fruits, such as pineapple, make an amazing snack all on their own, there are many other possibilities. Pears and apples can be thrown into a lunch box or hiking bag for an easy snack or paired with bananas and veggies to make a smoothie.