Speaking about tropical fruits, mango is one of the most popular and one of those that comes first to most people’s minds. It is a fruit native to India, but it is also grown in other parts of Asia, as well as in South America and central Africa.
Although many people think that mango is a citrus fruit since it possesses some characteristics of those types of fruits, it is actually a stone fruit like raspberries, cherries, plums, etc.
Mango is a very healthy fruit since it has a rich nutritional value and it is full of all types of antioxidants that are proven to be most beneficial for our overall health.
And on top of that, this amazing tropical fruit has a great flavor profile that is the perfect combination of sweet and tangy flavors.
Its pulp is smooth, so you can incorporate it into various types of dishes like salsas, tacos, curries, soups, stews, and salads. Mango also works great in various types of smoothies.
As you can see, mango is delicious and healthy, and it can be added to various types of dishes. But, since many types of fruits are also quite acidic and acidic food can be harmful to some people, the question arises “Are mangoes acidic?”.
The short answer is “Yes, mangoes are acidic”. But, in order to find out more about that mango acidity, I suggest you continue reading.
Are Mangoes Acidic?
So, does mango contain acid? Yes, mango does contain acid and that means it is an acidic fruit. But, does that mean that mango can hurt you in terms of health, i.e. is the acidity level of mango something that you should be concerned about?
Well, it is not that simple. There are a few factors that determine the answer to this question. The first factor is the level of ripeness of the mango. The second factor is the state of the mango, i.e. are you eating raw mango or processed mango?
And, finally, there is a question about the pH level. You will find the answer to the question “What is the pH level and how does it influence the level of acidity of our fruit?” below, so I suggest you continue reading in order to find out all the answers that you are looking for.
Is Mango Acidic Or Alkaline?
Mango is considered to be an acidic fruit. The main reason for mango fruit’s acidity is the so-called tartaric acid that gives mango its tangy flavor. It is a type of acid found in many fruits including citrus fruits, tamarinds, and bananas.
But, is the tartaric acid content that high when it comes to mangoes? Is the acidity level of mangoes considered to be high? The answer to that question lies in the pH scale. The pH scale ranges from 0-14.
The higher the pH level, the lower the acidity level. So, fruits that have a pH level that ranges from 0-7 are considered to be acidic fruits. On the other hand, types of fruits that pH level ranges from 7-14 are considered to be alkaline fruits.
There are no fruits with a pH level of 7, i.e. there are no neutral fruits. So, since I already said that mango is an acidic fruit, you can assume that its pH level is below 7. But, it also has to be emphasized that it is not much below that neutral point.
The exact pH value of mango depends on the level of ripeness, as well as on that if you are eating fresh mango, cooked mango, dried mango, or some kind of mango juice.
What Is The pH Of Mangoes?
I will start with the pH level of mangoes. Mangoes’ pH ranges from 3,4-6. This means that mango is slightly acidic. But, there are differences between green mango and ripe mango, as well as cooked mango, dried mango, and mango juice when it comes to acidity level. So, let’s see.
Green Mango
Green mangoes are considered to be the most acidic since they possess both tartaric acid as well as traces of citric acid, which increases the level of acidity.
The pH level of immature mango ranges from 3.4-4.8. Since everything below 4 is considered to be highly acidic, you should be careful when consuming green mango if you have any problems related to acidity.
If you really love to consume green mangoes, I would suggest you drink a lot of water to neutralize that high acidity.
Ripe Mango
When it comes to ripe mangoes, it is a bit of a different story since ripe mangoes are less acidic when compared with green mangoes.
The pH level of ripe mangoes ranges from 5.8-6 and that is actually closer to neutral than to highly acidic. So, if you are worried about the fact that mangoes are acidic fruits, there is actually no room for too much worrying.
If you have health problems caused by acidity, but you really love to eat mangoes, it really is no problem. You just have to choose a ripe mango and eat it in moderation, i.e. eat about 1 cup of ripe mango a day and you will be perfectly fine.
Cooked Mango
When it comes to cooking mangoes, you can definitely do that if you want to achieve a smooth texture or even a bit sweeter flavor profile.
But some people tend to cook mangoes in order to make them less acidic. Actually, that is not the way to go. Cooking mangoes doesn’t make them less acidic.
However, there is an interesting solution when it comes to cooking mangoes and trying to make them less acidic. You can add cooked mangoes to more alkaline foods and that way, you will achieve a less acidic dish.
Dried Mango
If your intention is to reduce the acidity level of your mango by drying it, think again. Just like cooked mango, dried mango doesn’t differ from raw ones when it comes to the level of acidity.
There are a few things that change when you dry mango and those are texture, flavor, level of moisture, and sugar content. You have to know that the texture of dried mango becomes chewy, the flavor becomes more intense, the level of moisture is higher, as well as the sugar content.
But the acidity level remains the same.
Mango Juice
And, finally, there is a form of mango fruit that really makes a difference when it comes to the level of acidity. I am speaking about mango juice that has a somewhat lower acidity level than raw mango.
The pH value of mango juice ranges from 6.85-6.95 which is considered to be very close to a neutral value. The main reason for this is the process of oxidation of malic and gallic acid which is one of the reasons for this fruit’s acidity.
Is Mango Good For Acid Reflux Or GERD?
So, are mangoes good for acid reflux?
The answer to this question depends on the type of mango as well as the amount you are consuming. But first thing first. What is acid reflux and how is it related to the level of acidity in mango?
Acid reflux, scientifically known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, happens when the sphincter weakens too much and allows the acid content from your stomach (stomach acid) to enter the tube that connects your mouth and esophagus.
When that happens, you will most likely experience heartburn, upper abdominal or chest pain, the sensation of a lump in the throat, as well as trouble swallowing. As you can see, it is not a pleasant feeling and you certainly want to avoid it.
The thing is that food with a high level of acidity cause acid reflux so you want to avoid those. But the question is whether you have to avoid mangoes as well since they are considered to be acidic fruits.
I will make this as simple as I can. Speaking about acid reflux and mango, if you have problems with acid reflux, it is best to avoid green mangoes since their pH level is below 4.
When it comes to ripe mangoes, both fresh and cooked, as well as dried, you can definitely consume those since their pH level is 6 or a little lower. Just do that in moderation, i.e. consume no more than 1-2 cups of mango daily.
And, finally, when it comes to mango juice, it is even recommended to consume that juice if you have problems with acid reflux since its pH level is closer to the neutral point, i.e. it ranges from 6.85-6.95.
All in all, if you have problems with acid reflux, just avoid green mango and consume ripe, cooked, or dried mango, as well as mango juice in moderation and you will be perfectly fine.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Mangoes?
If you eat mango in moderation, it can provide you with some incredible health benefits since it is a real nutrient powerhouse. From indigestion to the immune system, mangoes can handle it all. They can also be a great alternative to unhealthy sweets since they contain natural sugars.
Nutritional Value Of Mangoes
• Natural sugars
• Fiber
• Vitamins A
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Copper
• Folate
• Niacin
• Riboflavin
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Thiamin
Health Benefits Of Mangoes
• Protect you from diabetes
• Boosts immunity
• Beneficial for your heart health
• Excellent for your digestive health due to the digestive enzymes called amylases
• Protects you from certain types of cancer
• May improve your eye health
See Also: Are Blueberries Acidic? Are Blueberries Bad For Acid Reflux
FAQs
What Fruit Is Low In Acidity?
Generally speaking, melons are considered to be the lowest in acidity when it comes to fruits. Melons include honeydew, watermelon, and cantaloupe.
They have a very high water content and the water is considered to be neutral on the pH scale. That is the main reason why melons are great if you have problems with acid reflux.
Some other fruits that are low in acidity include avocados, papaya, bananas, coconuts, peaches, as well as figs.
Which Fruit Is Highly Acidic?
Lemons, limes, grapes, blueberries, grapefruits, and blue plums are considered to be the most highly acidic fruits in the world.
Other fruits that are also high in acid and that can also upset your sensitive stomach include pomegranates, pineapples, cranberries, apples, and oranges.
Is Mango Bad For Acid Reflux?
In general, mango is considered a good fruit for acid reflux. Fresh ripe mango or mango juice is even recommended for consumption in case you have problems with GERD, especially mango juice.
However, it is not recommended to consume green mango if you have problems with acid reflux since it has a higher level of acidity than ripe mango.
Final Words On Mangoes’ Acidity
Now you know the answer to the question “Are mangoes acidic?” since the pH level of mangoes is lower than 7. And all food whose pH level is lower than 7 is considered acidic food.
But there is a catch. The pH level of a ripe mango is not so much below the neutral point, i.e. it is closer to neutral since its level ranges from 5.8-6. So, when you consume ripe mangoes, that can actually be beneficial for your acid reflux problems.
The same goes for mango juice, which is even less acidic. The only problem is with green mango which has a much higher level of acidity, i.e. its pH level ranges from 3.4-4.8. That means if you have problems with acid reflux, it is not recommended to consume green mango
