Is Herring Acidic or Alkaline?
Herring (raw) is acid-forming: Positive PRAL: acid-forming after digestion.
Classification
Raw herring sits in the acid-forming range at +8.4, a bit milder than lean fish like pike. Its high fat content dilutes the protein per 100 g, and fat contributes no phosphorus. Prepared, it rises to +9.5. As matjes herring with potatoes boiled in their skins, apple and onions, the plate is better balanced than the fish value alone suggests.
In the Fish & Seafood category, herring (raw) ranks #23 of 56, sorted from alkaline to acid-forming. More alkaline options include Saithe (coley) (+8.3), Squid (+8.3), Trout (+8.1). More acid-forming are Zander (pike-perch) (+8.4), Cod (+8.7), Octopus (+8.8).
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: raw, prepared
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 +10.5 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 (raw) has a PRAL of +8.4 per 100 g, so it counts as acid-forming in your daily acid-base balance.
How much lamb's lettuce offsets a fillet (125 g) of herring?
A fillet (125 g) of herring adds +10.5 to your daily balance. Lamb's lettuce (fresh) has −8.3 per 100 g, so about 130 g of lamb's lettuce 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, raw or prepared: which is more alkaline?
Herring (raw) is at +8.4, Herring (prepared) at +9.5. 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.