Is Amaranth Acidic or Alkaline?
Amaranth (raw) is acid-forming: Positive PRAL: acid-forming after digestion.
Classification
Amaranth counts as a pseudocereal, but its PRAL behaves like that of a true grain. Protein and phosphorus outweigh potassium and magnesium, giving +5.9. The value applies to the raw seed. Cooked, it absorbs water and spreads the acid load over more weight. Served with a vegetable stir-fry or roasted vegetables, it balances out well on the plate.
In the Grains, Bread & Pasta category, amaranth (raw) ranks #79 of 121, sorted from alkaline to acid-forming. More alkaline options include Spaghetti (+5.8), Penne (+5.8), Pasta (+5.8). More acid-forming are Couscous (durum) (+5.9), Puffed rice cereal (+6.0), Spelt bread (+6.1).
Acidic or alkaline: PRAL, not pH
On this site, acidic and alkaline refer to the PRAL (potential renal acid load). It estimates what a food leaves behind once it has been digested: a positive value is acid-forming, a negative value is alkalizing. That is different from the pH of the food itself: a lemon tastes sour, yet its PRAL is −4.0, so it is alkalizing. Your diet does not change your blood pH. It does change how much acid your kidneys have to deal with.
What balances amaranth
A dry serving (50 g) of amaranth adds +2.9 to your daily balance. These three bring it back; the grams shown offset exactly this serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is amaranth acidic?
It depends on what you mean by acidic. The pH describes the food itself, for example how sour it tastes. The PRAL describes what it leaves behind after digestion: Amaranth (raw) has a PRAL of +5.9 per 100 g, so it counts as acid-forming in your daily acid-base balance.
How much spinach offsets a dry serving (50 g) of amaranth?
A dry serving (50 g) of amaranth adds +2.9 to your daily balance. Spinach (fresh) has −12.2 per 100 g, so about 20 g of spinach offset this serving.
Do I have to avoid amaranth on an alkaline diet?
No. What counts is the balance of the whole day, not a single food. Amaranth is acid-forming; with enough vegetables, potatoes and fruit on the same plate, the meal stays balanced.
Amaranth logged, balance checked.
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Compare all Grains, Bread & Pasta: Grains, Bread & Pasta table. Common questions are answered in Acidic or Alkaline?, and the PRAL calculator adds up a whole meal.
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.