Spinach is highly nutritious, and although much maligned as a cooked dish, properly prepared, it can be delicious raw or cooked. Its beautiful deep green leaves can add rich color and flavor to many meals, including salads and fillings for pastas like ravioli and lasagne.
Spinach is high in vitamins A, C, and K and is an excellent manganese, magnesium, and iron source. It also helps keep your energy levels high, and its iron content contributes to healthy red blood cells, helping prevent and treat the symptoms of anemia.
However, many people suffer from acid reflux and GERD, and their biggest concern is whether a food is acidic and may trigger symptoms like heartburn.
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Is Spinach Acidic?
Spinach is mildly acidic, having a similar pH to asparagus, beans, turnips, and beets. Raw spinach is more acidic than cooked, so it may not be suitable for all on a low-acid diet.
What Is the pH of Spinach?
The pH scale is a 14-point scale that measures acidity. A pH of 7 is neutral; below 7 is acidic and above is alkaline.
Raw spinach's pH is about 5 to 5.5, so it's slightly acidic.
Is Cooked Spinach Acidic?
Cooked spinach has a pH of about 6.6 to 7.2, so it's less acidic than raw.
Other foods with a similar pH include:
Is Spinach Bad for Acid Reflux?
Spinach and other collards may actually relieve your acid reflux. They're low in fat and sugar, so they're less likely to stimulate stomach acid production than foods high in these. Other foods that may relieve acid reflux symptoms are asparagus, kale, and Brussels sprouts.
Is it Healthy To Eat Spinach Every Day?
Spinach is very good for you; however, eating too much may mean you get too much oxalic acid.
Oxalic acid gives spinach its earthy, slightly bitter taste, and too much can lead to kidney stones, stomach aches, vomiting, low blood pressure, body tremors, or a weak pulse.
Don't know what to drink? Check out these articles: 20 Most and Least Acidic Juices and 20+ Alcoholic Drinks Ranked by Acidity Level
Is Raw Spinach Healthier Than Cooked?
Raw spinach contains more vitamin C, potassium, folate, and niacin, while cooked has more vitamins A and E, zinc, fiber, calcium, and iron.
Which Vegetables Aren't Too Acidic?
Most vegetables are only slightly acidic, and below I've listed some of the best for those on a low-acid diet.
- Spinach - 5
- Broccoli - 6.5
- Cauliflower - 5.6
- Green Beans -5.5
- Asparagus - 6
- Potatoes - 6
- Kale - 7
- Lettuce - 6
- Carrots - 6
- Sweet Potatoes - 5.5
- Celery - 6
- Brussel Sprouts - 6.5
- Cucumbers - 5
Are Any Vegetables Too Acidic?
Most vegetables are fine for those with acid reflux; however, sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) has a pH of about 3.5, which makes it too acidic for some.
Sources:
Breyer, M. (n.d.). 6 Vegetables That Are Healthier Cooked Than Raw. Retrieved December 18, 2020, from https://www.treehugger.com/vegetables-are-healthier-cooked-raw-4858803
Downey, A. (2017, January 20). From spinach to tuna, the nine healthy foods that are TOXIC if you overindulge - but how much is too much? Retrieved December 18, 2020, from https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/2664333/from-spinach-to-tuna-the-9-healthy-foods-that-are-toxic-if-you-overindulge-but-how-much-is-too-much/
Emling, S. (2017, July 28). Foods That Can Help with Acid Reflux Symptoms. Retrieved December 18, 2020, from https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2017/foods-help-acid-reflux-fd.html
Food and Foodstuff - pH Values. (n.d.). Retrieved December 18, 2020, from https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/food-ph-d_403.html
Kubala, J. (2020, September 03). 6 Acidic Foods - Should You Avoid Them? Retrieved December 18, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/acid-foods-to-avoid
Nutritionist, J. (n.d.). The health benefits of spinach. Retrieved December 18, 2020, from https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/ingredient-focus-spinach