If you struggle with acid reflux or GERD, you know how important it is to consume foods that aren't acidic. These foods can worsen your symptoms, making you feel a lot worse.
As a result, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the pH levels of common foods and the ones you love. That way, you'll be able to consume mainly low-acid foods with only a few options that have a lower pH.
So, let's take a look at one of the most common veggies: zucchini.
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Is Zucchini Acidic?
Zucchini often called summer squash, is a relatively low-acid food, which means that it's perfectly suitable for people who struggle with the symptoms of acid reflux or GERD. It's also loaded with nutrients that can help you stay healthy. What's more, zucchini is very low in calories, making it great for weight loss.
As a result, adding this delicious veggie to your diet can bring loads of health benefits.
What is the pH level of zucchini?
Cooked zucchini has a pH level ranging between 5.69-6.10. It means that it's not a very acidic food, thus safe for a low-acid diet. It's also full of vitamins and minerals that contribute to maintaining many metabolic processes.
On top of that, zucchini can be easily added to many diets and can even replace pasta on a low-carb diet when cut into strings.
Zucchini also comes in green and yellow, but both varieties have the same pH level.
Different colors of zucchini have different pH levels, but they stay within the same range. Therefore, this veggie can be consumed in all shapes and forms.
The pH level of zucchini also doesn't change very much depending on the cooking method, such as baking, steaming, boiling, or grilling. However, make sure not to douce the veggie in too much oil or add acidic spices, which can lower the pH level of zucchini and negatively impact your health.
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 zucchini healthy?
Zucchini is a healthy veggie that is loaded with nutrients and minerals while still low in calories. In fact, one cup of cooked zucchini has only 29 calories, of which 2.5g come from fiber.
Fiber helps soak up excess stomach acid, which lowers the risk of heartburn and acid reflux. It also helps you feel full after eating, preventing overeating and weight gain. Hence, it's a great addition to any diet.
Furthermore, one cup of cooked zucchini provides you with 40% of your daily recommended need for vitamin A.
This micronutrient is important for reproduction, good vision, and a strong immune system. It also helps your organs function properly, so consuming foods rich in this fat-soluble vitamin is essential.
Zucchini is a great source of vitamin A, so you might want to consider stocking up on this veggie.
In addition, both yellow and green zucchini types are rich in antioxidants. These substances help flush out free radicals from your system.
Free radicals contribute to cell damage and many age-related diseases, so foods high in antioxidants can help prevent these problems.
Furthermore, the antioxidants in zucchini are primarily located in the veggie's skin, so make sure not to peel zucchinis before cooking them.
Zucchini is a good source of manganese. This mineral contributes to forming connective tissues and bones, helping them stay healthy over time. It also helps your body absorb calcium and other minerals, so it's important for proper metabolism and electrolyte balance. Zucchini contains around 16% of your daily need for this mineral, making it a perfect veggie to load up on this nutrient.
Zucchini can also help you with digestion and acid reflux. This is because it contains mostly water, which eases digestion and helps you stay hydrated, preventing constipation.
Moreover, water helps dilute your stomach contents, thus preventing stomach acid from refluxing up your esophagus, causing acid reflux and GERD symptoms.
Is zucchini bad for acid reflux?
Zucchini is a low-acid veggie loaded with nutrients that lower the frequency and severity of acid reflux and GERD symptoms.
As a result, it's a great addition to any diet, especially one that's low in acid. Furthermore, zucchini contains a lot of fiber and water, which helps soak up and dilute stomach acid. Finally, the antioxidants in zucchini are also very good at preventing inflammation.
All of these health benefits can help with acid reflux and GERD. Nevertheless, some people, especially those sensitive to acidic foods, may struggle to consume too much zucchini.
Therefore, it's important to slowly add new foods to your diet and check how your body is reacting. After all, everyone is different.
Is squash better than zucchini for acid reflux?
Squash is a general term for a group of vegetables. On the other hand, Zucchini is a summer version of squash that often comes in yellow and green.
As a result, their pH levels differ only slightly. For example, yellow squash has a pH level of around 5.79-6.0. This means that all versions of this veggie are safe to consume on a low-acid diet.
What's more, their nutritional profile is also relatively the same, but yellow squash might have a higher antioxidant content than the green varieties.
Is zucchini soup bad for acid reflux?
Oftentimes, zucchini soup is made with cream or milk, which increases the calories you consume in one portion. However, if you base your zucchini soup on chicken or other meat, you can reap many more health benefits and vitamins.
In addition, Zucchini soup isn't very acidic and may help you stay hydrated and healthy. As a result, it can be safely incorporated into a low-acid diet as long as you consider the caloric content and don't eat it too often.
Zucchini is a low-acid veggie loaded with nutrients, which makes it a wonderful addition to any diet. It's also perfect for people struggling with acid reflux or GERD since it has many nutrients and minerals that can help protect your stomach and esophagus.
Furthermore, it's also low in calories, so it can be added to any diet without weight gain or other issues.
Don't know what to drink? Check out these articles: 20 Most and Least Acidic Juices and 20+ Alcoholic Drinks Ranked by Acidity Level