Is Basil Acidic or Alkaline?
Basil (fresh) is strongly alkaline: Negative PRAL: alkalizing after digestion.
Classification
Basil is a leafy herb, and leaves are rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium with little protein, hence −6.5. Because you only eat herbs in small amounts, the contribution to your daily balance stays modest. Pesto is a different story: it adds Parmesan and pine nuts, and the cheese in particular completely reverses basil's balance.
In the Herbs, Spices & Sauces category, basil (fresh) ranks #29 of 75, sorted from alkaline to acid-forming. More alkaline options include Ginger powder (−6.7), Ginger root (−6.7), Parsley (−6.9). More acid-forming are Curry ketchup (−6.5), Ketchup (−6.5), Rosemary (−6.2).
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.
Goes well with
Frequently Asked Questions
Is basil 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: Basil (fresh) has a PRAL of −6.5 per 100 g, so it counts as strongly alkaline in your daily acid-base balance.
How much basil do I need for a noticeable effect?
A teaspoon (5 g) of basil adds −0.3 to your daily balance. For comparison: an egg is around +5.4, a slice of cheese around +6. So one serving of basil roughly offsets one of them.
Why is basil alkaline even though it is not a typical alkaline food?
The PRAL depends on the minerals left over after digestion, not on taste or pH. Basil provides more potassium, magnesium and calcium than phosphorus and protein, so the balance is negative (−6.5).
Basil logged, balance checked.
Basentracker adds up every meal automatically and shows whether your day is in the alkaline range. The same values as on this page, all 977 foods, photo scan, recipes.
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Compare all Herbs, Spices & Sauces: Herbs, Spices & Sauces 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.