Is Pumpkin Acidic or Alkaline?
Alkaline: Hokkaido pumpkin has a PRAL of −3.4 per 100 g and butternut −5.4. Pumpkin seeds, on the other hand, are strongly acid-forming at +17.0.
Why pumpkin is alkaline
Pumpkin flesh is rich in potassium and water and low in protein. A 200 g serving of roasted pumpkin adds −6.8 to −10.9 to your daily balance. Along with potatoes and kale, pumpkin is one of the most alkaline main ingredients in fall and winter cooking. At 28 to 30 kcal per 100 g, it is also one of the lightest.
The seeds are the opposite. They contain a lot of phosphorus and protein, and at +17.0 they rank among the most acid-forming foods of all. A 30 g handful adds +5.1, almost as much as an egg. As a topping, the amount stays small. As a snack in larger amounts, they make a real difference.
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 pumpkin 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.
Pumpkin in different forms: raw, cooked, processed
How the PRAL changes with state and product. All values per 100 g or 100 ml.
| Food | PRAL |
|---|---|
| Pumpkin (Hokkaido) (boiled) | −3.4 |
| Pumpkin (Butternut) (boiled) | −5.4 |
| Pumpkin soup (prepared) | −1.0 |
| Pumpkin seeds (raw) | +17.0 |
Goes well with
Frequently Asked Questions
Is butternut squash more alkaline than Hokkaido pumpkin?
Yes, −5.4 versus −3.4 per 100 g, boiled. Both are clearly alkaline, and you don't need to peel Hokkaido.
Are pumpkin seeds acidic?
Yes. At +17.0 per 100 g, they are strongly acid-forming. A 30 g handful is almost the same as one egg.
Pumpkin and everything else on your plate: calculated automatically.
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More vegetables & salad compared
All vegetables & salad with their PRAL: Vegetables & Salad 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.