Raspberries are such a tasty little fruit that packs a tart but also a sweet punch. Adding these fruits to smoothies, oatmeal, or even eating them alone is a great way to get a serving of fruit per day.
While these fruits are considered healthy foods, even healthy foods can be acidic and cause problems for those who have heartburn and acid reflux.
Before you buy a carton of delicious raspberries, you should probably find out if they're acidic or not.
If you love raspberries but have acid reflux, I hate to report that they are very acidic. Raspberries have a pH of 3.22 to 3.95. Keep in mind that the most acidic foods have a pH of 1, and neutral foods have a pH of 7. So, this pH rating means these fruits are more acidic than you probably thought.
But, just because a food is acidic doesn't mean it doesn't have health benefits and essential nutrients.
Table of Contents
- Should I Eat Raspberries If I Have Acid Reflux?
- Health Benefits of Raspberries
- How Many Types of Raspberries Are There?
- Where Did Raspberries Come From?
- Where Are The Most Raspberries Grown?
- Why Do Raspberries Have Hair?
- Can Dogs Eat Raspberries?
- How Long Do Raspberry Plants Live?
- One way to Eat Raspberries When You Have Acid Reflux
Should I Eat Raspberries If I Have Acid Reflux?
Whether you should or shouldn't eat raspberries when you have acid reflux or heartburn is up to you. A couple of raspberries shouldn't cause you any major discomfort, but you will have to listen to your body to see if you actually have symptoms.
When you have acid reflux, it's best to avoid overly acidic foods, but if you eat primarily neutral and alkaline foods, eating a couple of raspberries may not be a huge deal for you. It's always best to consult with your doctor, though, and not someone on the internet.
Health Benefits of Raspberries
These little acidic fruits are still, overall, really good for us. Maybe not for someone with acid reflux, though. Raspberries are very low in calories and fat but high in fiber. These attributes alone make them an excellent option for those who love to snack and anyone on a health journey. You can eat a lot of raspberries for meager calories.
However, you may want to watch how many you eat since they're loaded with natural sugars. Because of their low-calorie and high-fiber contents, these berries may help with weight loss. Fiber helps to keep you feeling fuller for longer, which can prevent unnecessary snacking.
Oranges always get a reputation for giving us a lot of vitamin C. Still, raspberries can give you 32% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C. Vitamin C is fantastic for improving your immune system and helping your body fight off several viruses and diseases.
Since raspberries are high in fiber, they may be able to help you keep your blood sugar under control. Eating raspberries may be able to help your body improve its insulin resistance.
How Many Types of Raspberries Are There?
Red raspberries are the most common type of raspberry. You'll find it in the produce section of your local grocery store. But there are several different types of raspberries, and even more than one type of raspberry that is red in color. There are over 200 different kinds of raspberries, and they come in red, purple, black, and golden colors. And no, black raspberries are not blackberries.
Where Did Raspberries Come From?
Raspberries are grown and can be purchased in many parts of the world. But everything comes from somewhere, so where did raspberries come from? It's believed that raspberries originated in Europe. To be more specific, raspberries originated in Greece.
During the time raspberries were coming about, they were very appreciated and eaten by many. From Greece, raspberries spread to Italy and then to the Netherlands and the UK. From there, raspberries hit the shores of North America.
Where Are The Most Raspberries Grown?
Even though raspberries have deep roots in Europe, the country that produces the most raspberries is not in Europe (well, technically, it is). Russia is surprisingly the number one raspberry producer in the world. Russia produces 164 thousand tons of this fruit per year.
The United States is in second place with raspberry production, with approximately 138 thousand tons per year. Coming in a close third to the United States is Poland, with 129 thousand tons annually.
Why Do Raspberries Have Hair?
You've probably noticed that raspberries have small, tiny hairs all over them. Why are they there? The little hairs on the fruits are leftover from the plant that raspberries come from. It's said that these hairs are able to protect the fruit from damage from insects.
Can Dogs Eat Raspberries?
I think all dog owners have been in a situation where you're eating and something falls to the ground, and you cannot get to it before your speedy dog swallows it up. That initial panic of not knowing whether your dog can safely eat what was dropped is something many of us know too well.
Well, if you're ever eating raspberries and one falls to the ground, don't worry about your furry friend. Raspberries are safe for dogs to eat. Just because they're safe doesn't mean you should be feeding them raspberries all the time, though.
And before you worry about your cat, they too can eat raspberries in moderation.
How Long Do Raspberry Plants Live?
How long a raspberry plant will live depends on certain factors. Raspberry plants can live between 15 and 20 years as long as you prune them annually. Since raspberry plants have biennial canes, they will not start producing fruit until the second year they're fully grown. Keep in mind that if you don't take care of your raspberry plant, it will likely live a lot fewer years than 15 to 20.
One way to Eat Raspberries When You Have Acid Reflux
If you love raspberries but unfortunately have acid reflux, you may still be able to eat them. When you pair an acidic food with a neutral or alkaline food, you can equalize the acid entering your body. A great way to eat raspberries where you may not have heartburn is to eat them on oatmeal.
Since oats are not acidic and any milk you choose to make is either neutral or alkaline, you can hopefully enjoy raspberries without a reaction.
Don't know what to drink? Check out these articles: 20 Most and Least Acidic Juices and 20+ Alcoholic Drinks Ranked by Acidity Level