A List of Low-Acidic Juices
If you’re plagued by heartburn, you may notice that drinking orange or grapefruit juice makes it worse. That’s because the acidity in the juice may irritate the soft tissue that lines your esophagus.
All fruit juices are acidic, but some are less so than others. Read on to learn which juices contain the lowest acidity.
Fruit Juice Acidity
Acidity of food is measured in pH on a scale of 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic. Each full step down represents a 10-fold increase in acidity. A pH of 7 or less is considered acidic. All fruit juices are acidic, but some are more so than others.
Apple Juice
One cup of unsweetened apple juice has 114 calories and 28 grams (g) of carbohydrates, including 24 g of sugar, and is virtually protein- and fat-free.
The juice is not a significant source of any vitamins or minerals, but it can help you meet your daily potassium needs, with 5 percent of the recommended daily value (DV). Some brands may be fortified with vitamin C.
Pear Juice
3.5–4.6 (Bartlett)
Peach Juice
Peaches have about the same pH level as apples, ranging from 3.3 to 4.
Juices to Avoid
- Lemon (2–2.6)
- Lime (2–2.8)
- Cranberry (2.3–2.5)
- Grapefruit (2.9–3.3)
- Orange (3.3–4.2)
- Pineapple (3.3–3.6)
- Grape (varies, but as low as 2.8)
The Takeaway
- Acidity is measured in pH. The lower the number, the more acid a juice has.
- All fruit juices are acidic, but some are more so than others.
- Apple, pear, and peach juices are among the least acidic fruit juices.
- Lemon, lime, and cranberry juice are among the most acidic fruit juices.
Resources We Trust
- Mayo Clinic: Is Juicing Healthier Than Eating Whole Fruits or Vegetables?
- Cleveland Clinic: Celery Juice Is a Trendy Detox Drink, but Does It Actually Have Benefits?
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Approximate pH of Foods and Food Products
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Pasteurized Juice
- FoodSafety.gov: Fruit and Vegetable Safety
- Approximate pH of Foods and Food Products. Food and Drug Administration. April 2007.
- Canning of Acid, Acidified, Fermented Foods & Beverages: Guidance for PA Limited Food Establishments. Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. December 2023.
- Arterial Blood Gas. Cleveland Clinic. February 18, 2022.
- 1 Cup Pear Juice. Nutritionix.
- Doseděl M et al. Vitamin C — Sources, Physiological Role, Kinetics, Deficiency, Use, Toxicity, and Determination. Nutrients. February 2021.
- 1 Cup Peach Juice. Nutritionix.
Kayli Anderson, RDN
Medical Reviewer
Kayli Anderson has over a decade of experience in nutrition, culinary education, and lifestyle medicine. She believes that eating well should be simple, pleasurable, and sustainabl...
Jill Corleone, RD
Author
Jill is a registered dietitian and health writer based in Honolulu. She spent the early part of her career working in a traditional setting as a clinical dietitian in a hospital, t...