Is Tuna Fish Acidic or Alkaline? Understanding Tuna’s Effects on Body pH

Tuna is one of the most popular fish in the world. This versatile protein can be eaten fresh, canned, or used in sushi and salads. But when it comes to its effect on acidity in the body, is tuna acidic or alkaline?

The acid-alkaline balance of foods is an important health consideration. Keeping your body pH in balance can help optimize health and prevent disease In this article, we’ll analyze tuna’s acid-base properties and how to consume it as part of a pH-balanced diet.

Overview of Food Acidity and Alkalinity

Foods can be categorized as either acidic, alkaline, or neutral:

• Acidic foods lower body pH below the neutral point of 7. Examples include processed meat, soda, alcohol, coffee, dairy, and wheat.

• Alkaline foods raise pH above 7 and are primarily plant-based. These include fruits, veggies, roots, nuts, and legumes.

• Neutral foods have minimal impact on pH Meats, fish, eggs, oils, and fats are generally neutral.

After digestion, acidic foods produce acids that lower blood and urine pH. Alkaline foods counterbalance this by yielding bicarbonate ions to raise pH.

Is Tuna Acidic or Alkaline?

Most fish and seafood, including tuna are neutral or slightly alkaline-forming foods. Tuna has a PRAL (potential renal acid load) score of 8.5.

The PRAL scale runs from -21 to +21. Negative values are alkaline-forming while positives are acidic. So while tuna leans slightly acidic, it’s pretty neutral and won’t swing pH much in either direction.

For comparison, salmon has a PRAL score of 10.5. Trout is similar at 10.3. So the most popular fish choices all have a fairly neutral acid-base effect.

Why Tuna’s Acidity Matters

Moderate acid-producing foods like tuna are fine in balance with alkaline foods. Problems arise when acidic intakes consistently outweigh alkalizing foods.

Excessive acidity from diet, stress, medications, and toxins forces the body to draw minerals like calcium from bones to neutralize acids. Over years, this can lead to weakened bones and mineral deficits.

Tuna’s neutral pH makes it less risky for leaching minerals. Limiting acidic foods while emphasizing mineral-rich alkalizing foods helps maintain equilibrium.

Other Nutrients in Tuna

Beyond its neutral acid-base effects, tuna contains:

• High-quality protein for tissue repair, enzyme production, and muscle growth. A 3 oz serving provides 25g, half the daily protein requirement.

• Omega-3 fats EPA and DHA for brain function and heart health. Canned light tuna provides ~200 mg per serving.

• Selenium, a potent antioxidant that enhances immunity and thyroid function. Tuna contains over 50 mcg per serving.

• Niacin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. A serving contains 15-20% of the daily value of these important B vitamins.

• Iodine to support healthy metabolism and thyroid function. A serving of canned tuna covers over 100% of the RDI.

So while tuna doesn’t strongly sway pH in either direction, it offers stellar nutritional value.

Tips for Maintaining Alkalinity with Tuna

Tuna can be part of an alkaline diet when combined with these tips:

• Enjoy tuna in moderation as part of varied meals to limit acid load.

• Pair tuna with alkaline veggies, fruits, nuts, and plant proteins. Spinach salad with tuna is an easy option.

• Stay hydrated with pH-balancing water to dilute acids and aid mineral absorption.

• Limit highly acidic foods like sugary drinks, alcohol, and excessive red meat.

• Manage stress through yoga, meditation, and leisure to decrease acids from cortisol.

Risks of High Acidity Diets

Diets high in acid-forming foods can negatively impact health over time:

• Weakened bones and teeth as calcium and phosphorus are pulled from bones to balance pH.

• Increased muscle wasting as amino acids get scavenged for buffers.

• Higher risk of kidney stones and gout.

• Reduced growth hormone levels which declines tissue repair.

• Impaired vitamin and mineral activation. Many vitamins require specific pH levels to be utilized.

• Higher free radical damage from inflammation triggered by acidosis.

Signs of Unbalanced Body pH

Look out for these symptoms that may indicate overly acidic pH:

• Heartburn, reflux, and indigestion
• Bloating or constipation
• Joint pain and inflammation
• Fatigue and muscle weakness
• Frequent colds, flu, or illness
• Anxiety, irritability, and mood changes
• Headaches and migraines
• Slow wound healing
• Brittle nails and dull hair

If symptoms persist, get your pH levels tested. Urine and saliva tests can reveal if your body is too acidic. Work on balancing your diet and lifestyle habits accordingly.

Alkaline Sources to Pair with Tuna

Since tuna is relatively pH-neutral, pairing it with alkaline foods helps balance acidity:

Fruits: melons, grapes, berries, pineapple, tomatoes, lemons, limes

Veggies: spinach, kale, carrots, broccoli, onions, garlic, mushrooms, peppers

Nuts and seeds: almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds

Herbs and spices: parsley, basil, thyme, cinnamon, ginger

Legumes: lentils, black beans, chickpeas, green peas

Grains: oats, quinoa, buckwheat, millet

Healthy Tuna Recipes with Alkaline Foods

Here are flavorful recipe ideas using tuna with alkaline ingredients:

• Tuna poke bowl – combine tuna with rice, seaweed, cucumber, avocado, and ginger.

• Tuna wraps – fill tortillas with tuna, spinach, tomato, avocado, and hummus.

• Tuna salad stuffed tomato – mix tuna with chickpeas, parsley, lemon juice, and stuff into tomato halves.

• Tuna lettuce cups – flake tuna over lettuce leaves and top with diced mango, red onion, lime juice, and cilantro.

• Tuna quinoa salad – combine cooked quinoa with tuna, celery, cherry tomatoes, black olives, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice.

• Curried tuna lettuce wraps – mix tuna with diced apple, raisins, curry powder, mayo and fill lettuce leaves.

The Verdict on Tuna’s Acidity

While tuna leans slightly acidic, it is still relatively neutral and far less acidic than meat, grains, and dairy. Enjoyed in moderation alongside ample alkaline fruits, veggies, legumes, nuts and seeds, tuna can be part of a pH-balanced diet. Focus on whole food sources rather than processed tuna dishes to gain nutritional benefits without excessive acid load.