Is Oatmeal Acidic or Alkaline- Know The Detail
Porridge and Oatmeal is a healthy and delicious breakfast option. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibers, making it a great breakfast option compared to unhealthy and sugar bread and toast. As there is a sudden rise in heartburn and acid reflux options, people are becoming eager to know what nature of the food they are eating.
People are becoming more and more conscious after they know their food is acidic; they are eating it in fewer amounts or doing something to reduce the acidity. So the question arises; is Oatmeal acidic or Alkaline?
Oatmeal is an acidic food that has a pH between 6 to 7. It increases the acid form in the stomach. So, it’s not for those having trouble with their acidity level. Stay till the end if you want to know how to make your food less acidic or the healthier alternatives of Oatmeal.
Is Oatmeal acidic?
Just like the other grains, Oatmeal is acidic food. Taking Oatmeal in larger quantities can lead to frequent and severe GERD symptoms and acid reflux. So if you already have a sensitive digestive system, it’s best to limit its intake.
On the brighter side, Oatmeal is rich in beneficial nutrients and can fulfill your dietary needs. I always say that it also depends on how your body reacts to the food types.
Is Oatmeal Acidic or Alkaline?
The pH of Oatmeal rolled and boiled is around 5.5, which makes it acidic. As the pH goes down, the substance becomes more acidic. Oatmeal has a low pH level and contains avenanthramides, a phenolic acid type. Besides, phenolic acids are organic that are present in plants. They are behind the Oatmeal’s sour taste and have anti-oxidant properties.
The oatmeal pH (bran, flour, and baked) is between 6.9 to 7.5. It is slightly alkaline, which makes it perfect for people who want to switch to an alkaline diet. Taking Oatmeal once or twice a day is not only nutritious but perfect for those who want to change to alkaline foods for health reasons.
The pH of baby oatmeal is around 6.5, which makes it slightly acidic.
The pH of Steel-cut oats is around 5.9 to 6.3. For steel-cut oats, there is no neutral point; they must be acidified or have a pH of 4.5 or lower to be canned by using the boiling water method. It makes it safe to store them at room temperature without any refrigerator.
The pH of cooked Oatmeal dry is about 5.1 to 6.2. The hot cooked Oatmeal has a pH of 5.4 to 6.2. Cooked Oatmeal has a comparably low pH when checked before cooling down. It’s due to our stomach acid and calcium ions interaction. Calcium ion plays a role in food digestion and must be considered during experimentation. For instance, you can digest Oatmeal faster in the morning than in the evening.
Is Oatmeal bad for my Acid Reflux?
In case of acid reflux, Oatmeal is a superb food. It’s a bland low-fat food that doesn’t upset your stomach. So if you have acid reflux, it can be a perfect food to eat as it reduces the symptoms and soothes your stomach. So that means you can use Oatmeal as a way of treatment for acid reflux.
Ensure you are avoiding flavored Oatmeal as these products can have high sugar levels that aggravate symptoms. To enhance its flavor, add cinnamon or honey to your Oatmeal.
How to reduce the Oatmeal acidity?
You can eliminate its acid-forming effects by adding food that has an alkalinizing impact to your Oatmeal and neutralizing it by adding the alkaline food. Besides you can also add shredded coconut, mashed potato, almond, unsweetened potatoes, and mango to neutralize its acidity.
Oatmeal’s powerful nutrient content
As mentioned above, Oatmeal is full of nutrients and fiber; some are even the foundation supplements our body needs.
B complex vitamins: These are vital in maintaining bone health and nerve functioning. Especially, the B6, folic acid and B12 work together to lower the level of homocysteine in the blood.
Iron is a component of hemoglobin that works in the transportation of oxygen throughout the blood.
Silicon is a trace mineral that benefits connective tissue, mainly collagen. It also works with calcium ions for mineralizing and building bones.
Calcium: We all know how helpful calcium is for bone health. But beyond bones, it also plays various roles in our body. It serves many benefits like regulating muscle relaxation and contraction, working with magnesium to build bone health, and influencing nerve functioning.
Magnesium: We often overlook magnesium talking about osteoporosis. It’s an essential mineral that should be taken with calcium. Magnesium and calcium are interdependent minerals, so they should be taken together.
As you can see, Oatmeal is very beneficial, so instead of avoiding it figure out a way to reduce its acidifying effect.
Conclusion
Oatmeal is a nutritious and healthy food that offers several health benefits. It is rich in minerals, fiber, and vitamins that work together to control cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels, and heart health.
Additionally, Oatmeal is very easy to digest, and you can enjoy it differently. Oatmeal is definitely the best choice if you are looking for a healthy breakfast option.
FAQ’s
Is Oatmeal Good for heartburn?
Oatmeal is not suitable for heartburn. Overeating oatmeal can give you a burning chest feeling, which is the most common symptom of Acid Reflux. People who generally feel heartburn should avoid eating acidic foods.
Why does Oatmeal upset my stomach?
If you already have a sensitive stomach, overeating oatmeal can upset your stomach. In addition, if you have a gluten allergy, then Oatmeal is probably not suitable for you. Besides, some people can also be allergic to avenin in oats, and after eating Oatmeal, they will feel sudden stomach ache.
Which Oatmeal is good for health?
Oatmeal that is high in fiber and has no artificial preservatives and sweeteners is the best for you. Among all the available oatmeal types, nutritionists recommend using steel-cut oats. This Oatmeal is low in carbs and high in fibers in comparison to others.
References
https://www.livestrong.com/article/97578-alkaline-foods-breakfast/
