Is Herring Acidic or Alkaline?
Herring (prepared) is acid-forming: Positive PRAL: acid-forming after digestion.
Classification
Prepared herring reaches +9.5, compared with +8.4 raw, because water escapes during frying and the protein becomes denser per 100 g. Its fat content still keeps it below lean seafood like shrimp or pike. Fried herring with fried potatoes is a fairly balanced plate thanks to the potatoes, and even more so with cucumber salad and onions.
In the Fish & Seafood category, herring (prepared) ranks #37 of 56, sorted from alkaline to acid-forming. More alkaline options include Pike (+9.4), Crab (+9.4), Sardine (+9.4). More acid-forming are Scampi (+9.7), Lobster (+9.8), Trout (+10.1).
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.
Herring: prepared, raw
Same food, different state. All values per 100 g.
| State | PRAL |
|---|---|
| raw | +8.4 |
| prepared | +9.5 |
What balances herring
A fillet (125 g) of herring adds +11.8 to your daily balance. These three bring it back; the grams shown offset exactly this serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is herring 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: Herring (prepared) has a PRAL of +9.5 per 100 g, so it counts as acid-forming in your daily acid-base balance.
How much kale offsets a fillet (125 g) of herring?
A fillet (125 g) of herring adds +11.8 to your daily balance. Kale (fresh) has −11.7 per 100 g, so about 100 g of kale offset this serving.
Do I have to avoid herring on an alkaline diet?
No. What counts is the balance of the whole day, not a single food. Herring is acid-forming; with enough vegetables, potatoes and fruit on the same plate, the meal stays balanced.
Herring, prepared or raw: which is more alkaline?
Herring (prepared) is at +9.5, Herring (raw) at +8.4. So the "raw" version is more alkaline. Differences come from water content, cooking water or concentration during drying.
Herring 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 Fish & Seafood: Fish & Seafood 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.