Is Salmon Acidic or Alkaline?
Acid-forming, not alkaline: prepared salmon has a PRAL of +11.5 per 100 g. The same goes for every fish, because fish is concentrated protein with plenty of phosphorus.
Why salmon is acid-forming
In the acid-base balance, fish comes close to meat: salmon +11.5, trout +10.1, cod +8.7, canned tuna +12.0 and fried tuna +13.1 per 100 g. A 150 g salmon fillet adds +17.3 to your balance.
That's no reason to skip fish. Omega-3 fatty acids, iodine and vitamin D are hard to get from other foods. The answer is what else goes on your plate: salmon with 200 g of potatoes (−13.1) and 150 g of spinach (−19.4) makes an alkaline meal overall. Salmon with rice and cream sauce does not.
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 salmon 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.
Salmon in different forms: raw, cooked, processed
How the PRAL changes with state and product. All values per 100 g or 100 ml.
| Food | PRAL |
|---|---|
| Salmon (prepared) | +11.5 |
| Salmon (raw) | +9.3 |
| Trout (prepared) | +10.1 |
| Cod (prepared) | +8.7 |
| Tuna (canned) | +12.0 |
Alkaline foods that balance it
Frequently Asked Questions
Which fish is the least acidic?
Pollock (+4.2), cod (+8.7) and halibut (+9.1), all prepared. Every fish falls between +3 and +18. None is alkaline.
Is smoked salmon acidic too?
It's similar to prepared salmon: +11.2 per 100 g. It also contains much more salt, which puts extra demand on your kidneys.
Salmon 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 fish & seafood compared
All fish & seafood with their PRAL: Fish & Seafood 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.