Is Milk Acidic or Alkaline?
Neutral. Whole milk has a PRAL of +0.1 per 100 ml, low-fat milk +0.1 and buttermilk −0.1. Only concentrated dairy products such as cheese are acid-forming.
Why milk is neutral
Milk contains protein and phosphorus, but just as much calcium and potassium. The acid-forming and alkalizing parts balance each other out almost exactly. That is why milk sits at zero no matter how much fat it has. The common label of milk as "acid-forming" is true for cheese (+9 to +30), not for milk.
A glass of milk adds +0.3 to your daily balance, which is next to nothing. Goat milk comes in at +0.1, buttermilk at −0.1. If you avoid milk, do it because it doesn't agree with you. The acid-base balance gives you no reason to.
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 milk 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.
Milk in different forms: raw, cooked, processed
How the PRAL changes with state and product. All values per 100 g or 100 ml.
| Food | PRAL |
|---|---|
| Milk (3.7% fat) (raw) | +0.1 |
| Milk, low-fat (raw) | +0.1 |
| Skim milk (raw) | +0.1 |
| Lactose-free milk (raw) | +0.1 |
| Buttermilk (raw) | −0.1 |
| Goat milk (raw) | +0.1 |
Goes well with
Frequently Asked Questions
Is milk acidic or alkaline?
Neutral. Its PRAL is +0.1 per 100 ml, whatever the fat content. It is neither alkaline nor acid-forming.
Is lactose-free milk any different?
No, it is +0.1 per 100 ml. Removing the lactose does not change the minerals.
Milk and everything else on your plate: calculated automatically.
Basentracker adds up the PRAL of every meal and shows whether your day is in the alkaline range. Over 950 foods, photo scan, recipes, free.
Free for Android · iPhone coming soon
More dairy compared
All dairy with their PRAL: Dairy 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.