Is Millet (Whole Kernel) Acidic or Alkaline?
Millet, whole kernel (raw) is acid-forming: Positive PRAL: acid-forming after digestion.
Classification
Whole-kernel millet sits in the acid-forming range at +8.1, even though it's often sold as an alkaline grain. Protein and especially phosphorus clearly outweigh potassium, as with almost all grains. When cooked, it absorbs a lot of water and is diluted accordingly. Served with stir-fried vegetables instead of plain, the plate becomes much more balanced.
In the Grains, Bread & Pasta category, millet (whole kernel) (raw) ranks #105 of 121, sorted from alkaline to acid-forming. More alkaline options include Rice noodles (+8.0), Spelt roll (+7.8), Multigrain cereals (+7.7). More acid-forming are Corn pasta (+8.2), Emmer (farro) (+8.7), Wheat bran (+9.2).
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 millet (whole kernel)
A dry serving (50 g) of millet (whole kernel) adds +4.0 to your daily balance. These three bring it back; the grams shown offset exactly this serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is millet (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: Millet, whole kernel (raw) has a PRAL of +8.1 per 100 g, so it counts as acid-forming in your daily acid-base balance.
How much lamb's lettuce offsets a dry serving (50 g) of millet (whole kernel)?
A dry serving (50 g) of millet (whole kernel) adds +4.0 to your daily balance. Lamb's lettuce (fresh) has −8.3 per 100 g, so about 50 g of lamb's lettuce offset this serving.
Do I have to avoid millet (whole kernel) on an alkaline diet?
No. What counts is the balance of the whole day, not a single food. Millet, whole kernel is acid-forming; with enough vegetables, potatoes and fruit on the same plate, the meal stays balanced.
Millet, Whole Kernel logged, balance checked.
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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.