• 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

Is Oatmeal Acidic or Alkaline?

shirinMedically Reviewed by Shirin Buta · Written by Rizza Joyce Mira, MD · Updated on April 27, 2023

Oatmeal is a delicious, nutritious breakfast and can also be baked into bread, cookies, or cakes. As a breakfast, adding fresh fruit, nuts, or yogurt makes it even tastier and more nutritious.

is oatmeal acidic

However, many people suffer from acid reflux or GERD, and they often follow a diet low in acidic foods and drinks to avoid triggering their symptoms. Heartburn, the most common symptom, is always unpleasant and can be debilitating for some. Many foods are acidic, including some cereals, so a low-acid diet can be tricky to design and maintain.

Can those on such a diet enjoy the occasional bowl of oatmeal?

Table of Contents
  • Is Oatmeal Acidic?
  • What Is the pH of Oatmeal?
  • Is Oatmeal Healthy?
  • Is Oatmeal Bad for Acid Reflux?
  • Is Oatmeal with Milk Better for Acid Reflux?
  • How Can You Make Oatmeal Less Acidic?

Is Oatmeal Acidic?

Like most grains, oatmeal is slightly acidic but acid-forming, so it may trigger acid reflux and GERD symptoms.

However, everyone's symptom triggers are different. If you can tolerate it, oatmeal is a nutritious addition to a healthy diet.

What Is the pH of Oatmeal?

The pH of cooked oatmeal is around 6.20-6.60, making it slightly acidic. However, as it's acid-forming, it may still trigger acid reflux symptoms in some.

  • Why Does Oatmeal Give Me Heartburn?

Is Oatmeal Healthy?

Bowl of oatmeal porridge with strawberry and mint
Bowl of oatmeal porridge with strawberry and mint

Yes, oatmeal is among the healthiest of grains.

For example, a serving of oatmeal contains more than the recommended daily intake of manganese, which reduces inflammation and supports bone health.

  • Is Oatmeal High in Magnesium?

It's also high in fiber, which studies show can reduce the frequency and severity of acid reflux and GERD symptoms. It also soaks up excess stomach acid, making acid reflux less likely.

However, it's important to note that oatmeal is also acid-forming, which somehow negates this claim.

Oatmeal is very high in antioxidants and phenolic compounds, especially avenanthramides, which lower blood pressure and dilate blood vessels, improving blood flow.

Other antioxidants in oatmeal remove free radicals from your body, preventing oxidative stress and cellular damage to your cells.

  • Is Oat Milk Acidic?

Eating oatmeal may also lower bad cholesterol levels, reducing your risk of arterial inflammation, tissue damage, and cardiovascular disease.

Oatmeal won't spike your blood sugar levels, aiding healthy weight control and improving insulin sensitivity.

  • Is Oatmeal High in Potassium?

Is Oatmeal Bad for Acid Reflux?

oatmeal porridge in large bowl with fruits
Oatmeal For Breakfast

Although oatmeal is only slightly acidic, it is acid-forming, adding to one's acid load. Oatmeal may trigger or worsen symptoms in some with acid reflux or GERD.

However, not everyone with acid reflux is highly sensitive to oatmeal. Some may tolerate it, while it triggers symptoms in some.

Is Oatmeal with Milk Better for Acid Reflux?

Like most dairy products, milk is acidic, so adding it to your oatmeal makes it more likely to trigger your symptoms.

Most kinds of milk, including plant-based ones, are acid-forming, so they may increase the likelihood of acid reflux symptoms.

  • Is Oatmeal High in Oxalates?

How Can You Make Oatmeal Less Acidic?

Adding alkaline fruit to your oatmeal, such as mangos, papayas, plums, or cherries, makes it less likely to trigger your symptoms.

Cooking it with water or coconut milk may also reduce your chances of having a heartburn attack. As long as it's made from fresh coconuts, coconut milk is alkaline-forming.

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

Related posts:

  1. What to Drink for Acid Reflux? Here's Everything You Need to Know
  2. Alkaline Foods List
  3. Everything You Need to Know About Almond Milk, The Popular Dairy-Free Milk
  4. Soy Milk: The Pros and Cons of This Popular Dairy Milk Alternative.
  5. Is Milk Good for Acid Reflux? Everything Explained
  6. 21 Best Uses For Leftover Oatmeal

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

  • What to Drink for Acid Reflux? Here's Everything You Need to KnowWhat to Drink for Acid Reflux? Here's Everything You Need to Know
  • Alkaline Foods ListAlkaline Foods List
  • Everything You Need to Know About Almond Milk, The Popular Dairy-Free MilkEverything You Need to Know About Almond Milk, The Popular Dairy-Free Milk
  • Soy Milk: The Pros and Cons of This Popular Dairy Milk Alternative.Soy Milk: The Pros and Cons of This Popular Dairy Milk Alternative.

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 © 2023