Acidic and Semi-acidic Fruits: What Are They and What Are Their Effects?

If you eat a lot of acidic and semi-acidic fruits, you may wonder how they influence your gastric health. We'll explain the effect they have on your body here.

Written and verified by the nutritionist Maria Patricia Pinero Corredor.

Last update: 25 July, 2022

Heartburn is a type of discomfort that afflicts a large part of the population. Unfortunately, it’s capable of passing from an eventual symptom to a chronic disorder. Although this doesn’t always happen, it can appear after eating certain foods, such as acidic and semi-acidic fruits.

Some of these fruits belong to the citrus group, such is the case of oranges and tangerines. However, there are others that, without being citrus fruits, are also very acidic, such as strawberries and pineapple.

Acid and semi-acid fruits also provide vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and fiber. Their restriction from gastric-protective diets depends on your tolerance to the fruit.

What is heartburn?

The U. S. National Library of Medicine defines heartburn as a painful burning sensation in the chest or throat. It occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, the tube that carries food and liquids.

Normally, acids in the stomach break down food and help digest it, while a valve blocks it from moving up into the esophagus. However, Dr. Angela Bosh points out that heartburn is a consequence of excessive production of this acid in the stomach. This is made worse by certain foods.

In addition, some disorders can lead to heartburn. When the valve does not work properly, such as the case of a hiatal hernia, the muscle weakens and gastric acid rises.

If acid rises into the mouth and down into the airways, it can cause gastroesophageal reflux. Gastritis or inflammation of the stomach lining also causes burning and pain.

What are acidic and semi-acidic fruits?

The acidity of a type of food is measured by the potential of the hydrogen element within the food matrix and is designated by the acronym pH. The scale ranges from 0 to 14, with pH being acidic below 7 and alkaline when it’s above that value.

According to the Revista Mexicana de Pediatría, acidic fruits and their juices are considered to be among the most acidic foods, since their pH value is below 4.5. The pH of the stomach suitable for digestion ranges between 3.5 and 4.

Acidic fruits and citrus fruits are those that define their taste and smell by the presence of organic acids, such as citric, malic, quinic, and lactic acid, which provide a sweet and sour taste. In particular, citrus fruits are a group belonging to the genus Citrus, which are characterized by a skin full of essential oils and a pulp in the form of juicy segments.

Semi-acid fruits are those with a pH between 4.6 and 7. The concentration of citric acid is lower in them.

Acidic fruits

In this group, we find the following examples:

• Citrus fruits: Lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, tangerine, lemons, lime, and grapefruit
• Red fruits: Raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, and currant
• Others: Pineapple, grape, tamarind, tomato, pomegranate, and plum

Semi-acidic fruits

Semi-acid fruits are better tolerated by people suffering from gastritis, reflux, or other stomach problems. Those that are part of this group are the following:

• Green apple
• Carambola
• Raisin
• Guava
• Persimmon

The effects of acidic and semi-acidic fruits on the stomach

Below, we’ll take a look at the main effects that the consumption of acidic fruits has on conditions affecting the upper digestive tract.

Acidic fruits can increase pain

Acidic fruits can accentuate pain when consumed during acute gastritis – that is, when the stomach is inflamed. They can also worsen reflux, as they cause more pain in the wounds that form on the walls of the esophagus.

In this sense, specialists have reported that citrus fruits, when used alone or together with antibiotics, help to eradicate H. pylori bacteria. Therefore, it’s suggested to seek advice from a specialist or a nutritionist to assess their inclusion in your diet.

They accelerate the burning sensation

A characteristic of gastritis, in addition to inflammation and pain, is the acidity itself or the burning and burning sensation. When acidic fruits are ingested, more acid is added, and the condition worsens.

They can complicate swallowing

Acidic fruits can produce excessive acidity that goes up to the larynx and irritates the entire area in its path, including the esophagus. It’s possible for this condition to evolve into difficulty swallowing and nausea.

In these cases, eating problems and weight loss occur in the medium term. If heartburn and difficulty in swallowing persist for more than two days, a health professional should be consulted.

Fruits you can eat when you have heartburn

In gastric protection diets, the goal is to avoid foods that increase excessive secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. The diet will relieve your symptoms, but it’s not curative.

A special diet is indicated for gastritis, peptic ulcers, hiatal hernia, and dyspepsia in general. It’s advisable to consume non-acidic fruits, preferably cooked or in compotes or canned, especially in the acute stage of any gastric condition.

Within this group, the most recommended are the following:

• Pear
• Cambur.
• Peach
• Loquat
• Soursop
• Red or yellow apple

Once the acute symptoms of acidity have been overcome, some acidic and semi-acidic fruits can be included. It all depends on the gastric tolerance of the person.

What to eat when you have heartburn

With a heartburn disorder, acidic or semi-acidic fruits should be avoided. Instead, you should eat fruit purees or compotes for gastric protection, distributed in six smaller meals.

In addition, you should avoid chemical irritants, such as spicy foods, highly seasoned foods, salty foods, foods at extreme temperatures, whole grains and types of flour.

Don’t forget to eat slowly and chew your food well. Eating in a quiet, stress-free environment helps to control symptoms and avoid exacerbating the condition.