Mangoes can have varying acidity depending on how ripe they are. Mango fruits usually have a minimum pH reading of 3.4 for the most acidic (usually unripe) mango and a reading of 6 for the perfectly ripened one.
Although mangoes are edible at various ripeness levels, it’s best to understand the acidity of the mango fruit and skin and what it means. So, I recommend you read further for more insight into the acidic nature of this fruit.
What Is the pH of Mango?
The pH of mango fruits varies depending on their ripeness.
A ripe mango would be slightly acidic with a pH reading of 5.6 or 6, indicating closeness to neutrality (pH 7.0) more than acidity or alkalinity. On the other hand, unripe mangoes are more acidic, with an average pH reading varying from 3.4 to 4.8.
However, that mangoes score this low on the pH scale doesn’t mean they retain their acidity in the stomach. They are alkaline-forming fruits that can help balance body pH once eaten.
Is Raw Mango Skin Acidic?
Mango skin is acidic when it’s not fully ripe and sometimes can still retain the sour, acidic taste.
In this case, you can skip eating the mango skin since the fruit packs more nutrients. However, there are several ways to consume mango skin, some of which are:
- Blending in a smoothie to mask its acidic taste.
- Used as mango skin chips.
- Make it into a mango peel syrup.
- Used as mango peel jelly.
- Preparing it as mango peel tea.
There are other ways to extract the nutritional content of a mango peel. So, if any of these don’t work for you, you can do more research to find a better alternative.
Are Dried Mangoes Acidic?
Dried mangoes aren’t acidic as they have almost the same pH as ripe ones. Likewise, dried mangoes have a combination of malic acid, tartaric acid, and a small amount of citric acid, which helps them keep a balance to prevent over-the-top acidity.
Are Cooked Mangoes Acidic?
The acidity of a mango fruit remains constant after cooking. However, caramelizing, boiling, and grilling your meat or chicken next to the mango would help increase the alkalinity of the food you’re combining.
Are Ripe Mangoes Acidic?
Ripe mangoes are acidic but have considerably lower acidity levels than their unripe counterparts. The pH of a ripe mango is between 5.6 to 6, making it close to the neutral state rather than being singly acidic or alkaline.
You might sometimes eat ripe mango and taste a bit of acidity. This is due to the presence of citric acid.
Also, malic acid and oxalic acid supply energy production, endurance, and muscle fatigue prevention in the body.
Are Unripe Mangoes Acidic?
Unripe or green mangoes are acidic, often exhibiting a pH range of 3.4 to 4.8, which indicates high acid concentration. Even so, you can eat a green or unripe mango without complications if you don’t consume more than one per day.
Otherwise, the unripe mango’s acidity may cause throat irritation, indigestion issues, dysentery, or stomach upsets.
Is Mango Good for Acid Reflux?
Eating mango may worsen an existing case of acid reflux due to its acidic content. On the other hand, research has shown that mangoes generally aid digestion (both the ripe and the green).
If you notice that eating ripe mango eases the effect of acid reflux on you, you can consume the fruit in these cases. Otherwise, avoid it.
In fact, the Indians eat mangoes with a pinch of salt and honey to solve issues relating to acid reflux. Still, it’s best to consult your local physician to be sure if you should be eating mangoes (or other fruits at all) based on your condition.
Can Mango Acids Affect Your Teeth?
The acid in mango isn’t strong enough to harm your teeth due to a relatively mild pH scale scoring of 5.4 to 6. You can also eat a mango without biting it by processing the fruit into a smoothie, cutting it up with a knife first, or preparing the mango with other preferred methods.
Furthermore, always rinse out your mouth or simply brush after eating or drinking a mango smoothie. This prevents the mango threads and sugary residues from damaging your enamel.
Good Read: How to Get Mango Threads out of Your Teeth
Is Mango Juice Acidic or Alkaline?
Mango juice is acidic and can be added to food for a bit of a sour taste. Most times, the food added to it is always alkaline, so you might not taste the sourness.
Also, be careful not to drink water immediately after ingesting mango, as this may cause severe stomach irritation, indigestion, or other discomforts.
Enjoy your Mangoes
The ripe mango fruit’s acidity isn’t so much that it causes concerns during consumption. If you have a sensitive stomach to mangoes, you may want to lay off overeating at once.
To stand a better chance of not landing a sour mango, read this guide to choosing ripe mangoes at the store. Also, look at how to ripen your mangoes at home if you ever choose an unripe mango.
