Is chicken meat acidic or basic? The facts on dietary acid load

October 22, 2025 •

3 min read

The average Western diet is known for its high dietary acid load, largely due to a reliance on processed foods and animal proteins. This leads many to question, “Is chicken meat acidic or basic?” The answer lies not in the food's initial pH, but in the metabolic process that determines its acid-forming or alkaline-forming effect on the body.

Quick Summary

Chicken meat is an acid-forming food, determined by its Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL). The body's pH is tightly regulated, but balancing acid-forming proteins with alkaline-rich fruits and vegetables is important for overall health.

Key Points

PRAL Determines Effect: The metabolic impact of a food, measured by its Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL), is what classifies it as acid- or alkaline-forming, not its initial pH.
Chicken Has Positive PRAL: Chicken and other animal proteins have a positive PRAL value, indicating they are acid-forming due to their composition of protein and phosphorus.
The Body Manages pH: Eating acid-forming foods like chicken does not alter the blood's pH, which is very tightly regulated by the body's buffer systems and organs like the kidneys.
Dietary Balance is Key: It's important to consume acid-forming foods in moderation and balance them with plenty of alkaline-forming foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to reduce the overall dietary acid load.
Western Diet High in Acid: The typical Western diet, high in animal protein and processed foods, is associated with a higher dietary acid load compared to diets rich in plant-based foods.
Health Concerns with Chronic Acidity: Prolonged consumption of a high dietary acid load can potentially put a strain on the kidneys and is linked to chronic health issues like bone mineral loss.

Understanding Dietary Acid Load (PRAL)

To determine a food's acid- or alkaline-forming effect, nutritionists use the Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL) score, which estimates the acid or base produced after the body metabolizes the food. A positive PRAL indicates an acid-forming food, while a negative score indicates an alkaline-forming food. While fresh chicken has a slightly acidic pH (5.3-6.5), its PRAL score classifies it as acid-forming due to its metabolic effects. This concept is central to the alkaline diet, which suggests balancing acid-forming and base-forming foods.

What Gives Chicken its Acidic Effect?

Chicken is acid-forming after digestion primarily due to its protein and phosphorus content.

High Protein Content: Animal proteins contain sulfur-containing amino acids, which produce acidic sulfate upon metabolism. Higher protein leads to a greater potential acid load.
High Phosphorus Content: Chicken's high phosphorus, combined with its protein, increases its dietary acid load. This differs from plant-based proteins, where phosphorus is less bioavailable.

The Body's Natural pH Regulation

The body has strong mechanisms to maintain blood pH within a narrow range (7.35-7.45). The kidneys and lungs, along with buffer systems, regulate this balance, so eating acid-forming foods like chicken does not make your blood acidic. However, a consistently high dietary acid load can strain the kidneys and potentially lead to low-grade metabolic acidosis. This has been linked to long-term issues like bone and muscle loss, and chronic kidney disease.

Balancing Your Diet with Alkaline Foods

Including a higher proportion of alkaline-forming foods helps support the body's pH regulation. Examples of acid-forming foods include meat, fish, eggs, most grains, cheese, dairy, and legumes. Alkaline-forming foods include most fruits and vegetables, potatoes, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices. To achieve a balanced plate, prioritize plant-based foods (70-80%), consume moderate protein portions, and consider leaner meats or plant proteins. Hydration also supports kidney function.

Comparison of PRAL Scores for Common Foods


Food Item	Portion Size	PRAL (mEq)	Acid- or Alkaline-Forming	Source
Chicken, cooked	4 oz	~14.6	Acid-forming
Beef steak, cooked	4 oz	~12.9	Acid-forming
Cheese, hard	100g	~20.0	Acid-forming
Pasta	100g	~8.0	Acid-forming
Vegetables, mean	100g	~-5.0	Alkaline-forming
Fruits, mean	100g	~-5.0	Alkaline-forming
Dark chocolate	100g	~-7.0	Alkaline-forming

Conclusion: The Final Word on Chicken's Acidity

In summary, is chicken meat acidic or basic? It is an acid-forming food based on its metabolic byproducts. However, the body effectively manages dietary acid load in most healthy individuals. The key is balance, pairing acid-forming proteins like chicken with abundant alkaline-forming fruits and vegetables. This approach promotes health without extreme restrictions. Individuals with conditions like chronic kidney disease should consult a healthcare provider.

For further reading, the National Institutes of Health provides research on the health implications of dietary acid load {Link: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3604792/}.

PRAL Determines Effect: The metabolic impact of a food, measured by its Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL), determines its acid- or alkaline-forming effect on the body after digestion.
Chicken is Acid-Forming: Chicken meat is categorized as an acid-forming food due to its high protein and phosphorus content, resulting in a positive PRAL score.
Body pH is Tightly Controlled: The body's buffer systems, kidneys, and lungs prevent dietary intake from significantly altering blood pH in healthy individuals.
Balance is Essential: Balancing acid-forming foods like chicken with ample alkaline-forming fruits and vegetables is crucial for a healthy diet and reducing overall dietary acid load.
Western Diet High in Acid: The typical Western diet, heavy in animal protein and processed foods, tends to have a higher dietary acid load compared to plant-rich diets.
Health Concerns with Chronic Acidity: A consistently high dietary acid load is linked to increased strain on the kidneys and potential long-term issues like bone mineral loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, your blood's pH is very tightly regulated by powerful buffering systems involving the kidneys and lungs. Eating chicken, an acid-forming food, does not significantly change your blood's pH level in a healthy individual.

The PRAL value for cooked chicken is positive, around 14.6 mEq for a 4oz serving, which indicates that it is an acid-forming food. This is due to its high content of protein and phosphorus.

Yes. A food's pH is its acidity before digestion, while its metabolic effect on the body's pH is determined by its PRAL. For example, lemons are acidic but have an alkaline-forming effect after metabolism.

To balance the acidic effect of chicken, you should pair it with plenty of alkaline-forming fruits and vegetables, which constitute the majority of a healthy diet. For example, a chicken breast paired with a large serving of roasted vegetables and a side salad can promote a healthy acid-base balance.

While the alkaline diet's claim that food directly changes blood pH is not scientifically supported, its emphasis on consuming more alkaline-forming fruits and vegetables is beneficial for overall health. For individuals with certain health conditions like chronic kidney disease, a lower dietary acid load can be beneficial.

Excellent alkaline food options to pair with chicken include leafy greens like spinach and kale, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and avocados. Herbs and spices can also contribute to the overall alkaline load.

A chronic, high dietary acid load can lead to low-grade metabolic acidosis, which has been linked to long-term health concerns. These include increased strain on the kidneys, loss of bone mineral density, and muscle loss.