Is Parsley Acidic or Alkaline?
Parsley (fresh) is strongly alkaline: Negative PRAL: alkalizing after digestion.
Classification
Fresh parsley is alkaline at −6.9 because the leaves contain plenty of potassium, calcium and magnesium with little protein. But a heaping tablespoon of chopped parsley weighs only about 5 g, which is roughly −0.3. As the main ingredient in tabbouleh or in a gremolata made with a whole bunch, it really shows its strength.
In the Herbs, Spices & Sauces category, parsley (fresh) ranks #26 of 75, sorted from alkaline to acid-forming. More alkaline options include Herb salt (−9.3), Parsley root (−9.5), Coriander leaves (−9.7). More acid-forming are Ginger root (−6.7), Ginger powder (−6.7), Basil (−6.5).
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is parsley 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: Parsley (fresh) has a PRAL of −6.9 per 100 g, so it counts as strongly alkaline in your daily acid-base balance.
How much parsley do I need for a noticeable effect?
A teaspoon (5 g) of parsley adds −0.3 to your daily balance. For comparison: an egg is around +5.4, a slice of cheese around +6. So one serving of parsley roughly offsets one of them.
Why is parsley alkaline even though it is not a typical alkaline food?
The PRAL depends on the minerals left over after digestion, not on taste or pH. Parsley provides more potassium, magnesium and calcium than phosphorus and protein, so the balance is negative (−6.9).
Parsley 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.