Are Nuts Acidic or Alkaline?
It depends on the type. Hazelnuts (−3.2) and macadamia nuts (−1.1) are alkaline, pecans (+2.0) and pistachios (+2.7) are mildly acid-forming, and walnuts (+5.6), cashews (+7.1), Brazil nuts (+8.0) and almonds (+10.5) are clearly acid-forming.
Why nuts are alkaline
Nuts are high in protein and phosphorus, but they also contain magnesium and potassium. How the balance turns out depends on the type. Hazelnuts are the only common nuts with a clearly negative PRAL. Walnuts, often seen as especially healthy, are among the acid-forming ones at +5.6.
The good news: portions are small. A 30 g handful of walnuts adds +1.7, and a handful of hazelnuts adds −1.0. Both are insignificant over the course of a day. Cutting nuts from your diet to eat alkaline would be a mistake. Their fatty acids, vitamin E and magnesium more than make up for the small plus.
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 nuts are 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.
Nuts in different forms: raw, cooked, processed
How the PRAL changes with state and product. All values per 100 g or 100 ml.
| Food | PRAL |
|---|---|
| Hazelnuts (raw) | −3.2 |
| Macadamia nuts (raw) | −1.1 |
| Pecans (raw) | +2.0 |
| Almonds (raw) | +10.5 |
| Pistachios (raw) | +2.7 |
| Walnuts (raw) | +5.6 |
| Cashews (raw) | +7.1 |
| Brazil nuts (raw) | +8.0 |
Goes well with
Frequently Asked Questions
Which nuts are alkaline?
Hazelnuts (−3.2 per 100 g) and macadamia nuts (−1.1). Chestnuts are strongly alkaline at −19.3. Botanically they are nuts, but in the kitchen they work more like a starchy side dish.
Are walnuts acidic?
Yes, they are acid-forming at +5.6 per 100 g. A 30 g handful adds +1.7, which is negligible in everyday life.
Nuts 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.
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More nuts & seeds compared
All nuts & seeds with their PRAL: Nuts & Seeds 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.