Is Corn (Whole Kernel) Acidic or Alkaline?
Corn, whole kernel (raw) is alkaline: Negative PRAL: alkalizing after digestion.
Classification
Whole corn kernels are alkaline at −2.1 because potassium and magnesium outweigh the kernel's protein. That sets corn apart from wheat and rye. Ground into corn flour, however, the value tips clearly into acid-forming territory, because much of the potassium is lost with the germ and hull, and the water is gone.
In the Grains, Bread & Pasta category, corn (whole kernel) (raw) ranks #3 of 121, sorted from alkaline to acid-forming. More alkaline options include Soy flour, full-fett (−5.2), Soy flour, defatted (−11.3). More acid-forming are Muesli, classic (−1.6), Sweet corn (−1.0), Potato starch (−0.4).
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 corn (whole kernel) 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: Corn, whole kernel (raw) has a PRAL of −2.1 per 100 g, so it counts as alkaline in your daily acid-base balance.
How much corn (whole kernel) do I need for a noticeable effect?
A dry serving (50 g) of corn (whole kernel) adds −1.1 to your daily balance. For comparison: an egg is around +5.4, a slice of cheese around +6. So one serving of corn (whole kernel) roughly offsets one of them.
Why is corn (whole kernel) 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. Corn, whole kernel provides more potassium, magnesium and calcium than phosphorus and protein, so the balance is negative (−2.1).
Corn, Whole Kernel 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.
Free for Android · iPhone coming soon
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.