Is Mayonnaise Acidic or Alkaline?
Mayonnaise (prepared) is slightly acid-forming: Positive PRAL: acid-forming after digestion.
Classification
Mayonnaise comes in at +1.5 per 100 ml, slightly in the acid-forming range: the oil adds nothing to the balance, and the egg yolk supplies some protein and phosphorus. At 750 kcal per 100 ml, it is very energy-dense, which the PRAL doesn't show. A 15 ml tablespoon adds about +0.2, and in potato salad the potatoes dominate.
In the Herbs, Spices & Sauces category, mayonnaise (prepared) ranks #62 of 75, sorted from alkaline to acid-forming. More alkaline options include Pesto, green (+1.3), Soy sauce (+1.2), Fenugreek seeds (+0.8). More acid-forming are Sweet mustard (+1.8), Teriyaki sauce (+2.0), Mustard, medium hot (+2.3).
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 mayonnaise
A teaspoon (5 g) of mayonnaise adds +0.1 to your daily balance. These three bring it back; the grams shown offset exactly this serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is mayonnaise 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: Mayonnaise (prepared) has a PRAL of +1.5 per 100 ml, so it counts as slightly acid-forming in your daily acid-base balance.
Do I have to avoid mayonnaise on an alkaline diet?
No. What counts is the balance of the whole day, not a single food. Mayonnaise is slightly acid-forming; with enough vegetables, potatoes and fruit on the same plate, the meal stays balanced.
Mayonnaise 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.