Is Avocado Acidic or Alkaline?
Alkaline, and strongly so. A ripe avocado has a PRAL of −9.9 per 100 g, which makes it one of the most alkaline foods you can easily eat every day.
Why avocado is alkaline
Avocado has more potassium than a banana but little protein and phosphorus. That gives it one of the most negative PRAL values in the grocery store. Half an avocado adds −9.9 to your daily balance, enough to offset a whole egg or 100 g of tofu.
It also provides monounsaturated fats, which keep you full and help your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins from vegetables. Guacamole comes in close behind at −8.7. The only downside is the calorie content of 132 kcal per 100 g. If you want to lose weight, stick to half an avocado a day.
Acidic or alkaline: PRAL, not pH
The PRAL (potential renal acid load) estimates what a food leaves behind after digestion. It is not the pH of the food itself: a lemon tastes sour, yet its PRAL is −4.0. If you are asking whether avocado is acidic because of heartburn or reflux, that is a question of pH and your stomach, which the PRAL does not measure; talk to your doctor about it.
Avocado in different forms: raw, cooked, processed
How the PRAL changes with state and product. All values per 100 g or 100 ml.
| Food | PRAL |
|---|---|
| Avocado (ripe) | −9.9 |
| Guacamole (prepared) | −8.7 |
Goes well with
Frequently Asked Questions
Is avocado alkaline even though it's high in fat?
Yes. Fat has no effect on the PRAL, but potassium does. Avocado provides about 500 mg of potassium per 100 g.
Is guacamole just as alkaline as avocado?
Almost: −8.7 per 100 g. The lemon, onion and tomato in it are alkaline themselves.
Avocado and everything else on your plate: calculated automatically.
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More fruit compared
All fruit with their PRAL: Fruit table. Back to the overview Acidic or Alkaline?, or put together a meal in the PRAL calculator.
Source: Basentracker food database (PRAL according to Remer & Manz, calculated from protein, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium per 100 g). This information does not replace medical advice.