Are Marshmallows Acidic or Alkaline?
Marshmallows (prepared) are slightly acid-forming: Positive PRAL: acid-forming after digestion.
Classification
Marshmallows are just barely acid-forming at +0.9. Sugar and glucose syrup contain no minerals, and only the gelatin brings protein, which pulls the value slightly above zero. The PRAL rates only the mineral balance and leaves the sugar out. A few pieces don't matter for your acid-base math, but at 373 kcal per 100 g they're no small thing.
In the Sweets & Snacks category, marshmallows (prepared) rank #49 of 91, sorted from alkaline to acid-forming. More alkaline options include Cherry cake (+0.8), Black forest cake (+0.8), Frozen yogurt (+0.7). More acid-forming are Donut (+1.2), Snickers (+1.3), Marzipan (+2.0).
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 marshmallows
A small serving (40 g) of marshmallows adds +0.4 to your daily balance. These three bring it back; the grams shown offset exactly this serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are marshmallows 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: Marshmallows (prepared) have a PRAL of +0.9 per 100 g, so they count as slightly acid-forming in your daily acid-base balance.
Do I have to avoid marshmallows on an alkaline diet?
No. What counts is the balance of the whole day, not a single food. Marshmallows are slightly acid-forming; with enough vegetables, potatoes and fruit on the same plate, the meal stays balanced.
Marshmallows 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 Sweets & Snacks: Sweets & Snacks 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.