Rambutan is a fruit that grows on tall trees in tropical climates. It’s not an incredibly popular fruit, but it’s closely related to lychees, which are becoming more and more common in grocery stores.
Rambutan is very nutritious, containing lots of vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that contribute to your health.
But, if you suffer from acid reflux, you definitely know that some fruits can worsen your symptoms. So, is rambutan acidic or alkaline?
Is Rambutan Acidic or Alkaline?
Rambutan is a slightly acidic fruit, which means that most people with acid reflux or GERD should be able to consume small amounts of this fruit. It’s also rich in several important nutrients, including fiber, which helps with digestion.
Because of that, adding some fresh rambutan fruit to your diet can be incredibly beneficial.
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What is the pH level of rambutan?
Rambutan has a pH level of around 4.90. It’s a moderately acidic fruit, which means that it’s not necessarily a trigger for acid reflux symptoms in most people.
But it still has an acidic taste and some acid-forming properties. So, if your acid reflux or GERD is severe, you may want to avoid consuming large amounts of this fruit.
In addition to that, if you like the taste of lychees, rambutan is a great replacement for them, as it’s less acidic.
Is rambutan good for you?
One of the most abundant nutrients found in rambutan is vitamin C. This micronutrient, also known as ascorbic acid, helps boost your immune system and even keep your skin healthy and hydrated.
Vitamin C is necessary for the growth, development, and repair of all the tissues and cells in your body, so it’s important to take in enough of it from a healthy, balanced diet.
Aside from vitamin C, rambutan is rich in antioxidants and many plant compounds. These substances help flush out free radicals from your body.
This reduces oxidative stress and damage to your cells and tissues, preventing the development of many chronic conditions like diabetes and cancer.
Additionally, these antioxidants help reduce inflammation in your body, which can help prevent severe acid reflux and GERD symptoms.
Some studies also indicate that eating rambutan can promote healthy weight loss. It’s relatively low in calories and contains a great dose of fiber, which helps you feel full after eating.
This prevents overeating and contributes to effective portion control. Rambutan also contains a good amount of water, which helps keep you hydrated.
Taking in enough water and liquids each day helps replenish your electrolyte levels and prevent weight gain.
Rambutan is also high in several plant compounds that help prevent infections and boost your immune system.
A weakened immune system makes your body more vulnerable to bacteria and viruses, which can cause serious health conditions.
Luckily, studies show that rambutan contains substances, including vitamin C, that boost your immune system and help fight off viruses and bacteria.
Several studies also proved that extracts made from rambutan peel help reduce the levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol and increase the levels of ‘good’ cholesterol.
This reduces the risk of diabetes and many cardiovascular conditions, like heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure.
Adding rambutan to your diet may also increase insulin sensitivity and lower fasting blood sugar levels, which may reduce the symptoms of diabetes and even help treat it.
Don't know what to drink? Check out these articles: 20 Most and Least Acidic Juices and 20+ Alcoholic Drinks Ranked by Acidity Level
Can you eat rambutan on acid reflux?
Rambutan is mildly acidic. As a result, most people should be able to enjoy some of this delicious fruit on a low-acid diet, provided it’s in moderation.
Rambutan also contains special plant compounds and minerals that aid in digestion and reduce inflammation, contributing to the health of your digestive system.
But make sure to listen to your body, as eating rambutan can irritate some people’s stomachs and lead to an overproduction of gastric acid.
Rambutan can be eaten fresh, canned, and even as a juice or jam. Rambutan juice and jam tend to be much higher in sugar and often contain artificial sweeteners.
These ingredients cause an increase in stomach acid production, which can cause acid reflux and GERD symptoms.
Because of that, avoiding these types of food is the best choice for those with severe heartburn and similar issues.
If you do enjoy drinking rambutan juice but suffer from acid reflux, try diluting it with some water – you can even try alkaline water – to reduce the acidity.
This will also help with hydration and prevent blood sugar level spikes after drinking it. You will also not lose too much taste and flavor if you use just a little bit of water.
While rambutan tends to be acidic, it does contain compounds that help improve digestion and reduce inflammation in your digestive tract.
These benefits help ease the symptoms of acid reflux and GERD, which might make rambutan a good addition to a low-acid, stomach-friendly diet.
What’s more, rambutan contains a good dose of fiber that soaks up excess stomach acid, preventing it from refluxing up your esophagus and causing heartburn.
Is canned rambutan acidic?
Canned fruits are more often than not very acidic. They also tend to contain more sugar and fewer nutrients than fresh versions.
As a result, consuming canned fruits if you suffer from acid reflux isn’t a good idea for most people.
On the other hand, if you can tolerate small amounts of canned rambutan, you may want to include it in your diet instead of other artificially-sweetened snacks and foods.
If you do enjoy the taste of canned rambutan, you can try buying rambutan packed with light syrup instead of the versions packed with heavy syrup.
This decreases the amount of sugar you’ll take in from this food while still providing you with a lot of important nutrients and flavor.
Conclusion
Rambutan is a mildly acidic fruit, which makes it a safe addition to a low-acid diet as long as it’s consumed in moderation.
It’s also rich in various important nutrients that help you stay healthy and fight off health conditions and diseases.
What’s more, it’s very easy to add to any diet, whether as a snack or an addition to sauces or larger meals as a source of sweetness.
Don't know what to drink? Check out these articles: 20 Most and Least Acidic Juices and 20+ Alcoholic Drinks Ranked by Acidity Level