What fruits should you avoid if you have acid?

January 13, 2026 •

4 min read

According to a 2021 review, eating certain fruits can either trigger or alleviate acid reflux symptoms, highlighting the importance of dietary choices for managing gastric distress. To prevent heartburn and irritation, it's crucial to understand what fruits should you avoid if you have acid.

Quick Summary

This guide details acidic fruits that commonly trigger heartburn and acid reflux, explaining why they cause discomfort. It also provides a list of safer, low-acid alternatives and includes practical tips for dietary management.

Key Points

Avoid Citrus Fruits: Lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit are high in acid and are common triggers for heartburn and acid reflux.
Be Mindful of Pineapple and Tomatoes: These fruits are also highly acidic and can aggravate symptoms for those with acid sensitivity.
Choose Low-Acid Alternatives: Opt for bananas, melons, apples, pears, and berries, which are generally well-tolerated and less likely to cause reflux.
Pay Attention to Your Body: Individual triggers vary, so monitor your personal reaction to different fruits and adjust your diet accordingly.
Time Your Meals Wisely: Avoid eating trigger fruits or large meals right before lying down to prevent acid from flowing back into the esophagus.
Pair Fruits with Alkaline Foods: Consuming acidic fruits with alkaline foods like oatmeal can help neutralize the acid and minimize reflux.

Understanding Acid Reflux and Fruit Acidity

Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation known as heartburn. The acidity of certain foods, including fruits, can either contribute to this problem by adding more acid to the stomach or by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach.

The Most Common Trigger Fruits

Highly acidic fruits are the most common culprits for triggering acid reflux symptoms. Their low pH levels can irritate the esophagus and increase stomach acid production, leading to discomfort.

Citrus Fruits: Lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit are notoriously acidic and are frequent triggers for heartburn. Many people find that consuming these fruits or their juices, especially on an empty stomach, exacerbates their symptoms.
Pineapple: While delicious and high in vitamin C, pineapple is also highly acidic and can cause significant reflux in sensitive individuals.
Tomatoes: Although botanically a fruit, tomatoes are a major trigger food due to their high citric and malic acid content. This applies to all tomato-based products, including sauces, salsa, and ketchup.
Cranberries: Cranberries and cranberry juice are very acidic and often recommended to be avoided by those with acid sensitivity.
Pomegranates: This fruit is another high-acid option that can trigger symptoms and should be consumed with caution.

Why Some Fruits Cause Trouble

Several factors contribute to why certain fruits can cause discomfort for people with acid reflux. It's not just the acid content itself, but also how the fruit impacts the digestive system.

pH Level: The pH scale measures a substance's acidity. Foods with a low pH are more acidic. The more acidic a fruit is, the more likely it is to irritate the esophagus, particularly when the lining is already sensitive.
Citric Acid and Malic Acid: These organic acids are abundant in many trigger fruits like tomatoes and citrus. They can increase the overall acid load in the stomach and aggravate symptoms.
Relaxing the LES: Certain components in some foods can relax the lower esophageal sphincter. When this valve is loose, stomach acid can more easily wash back up into the esophagus, causing pain.

Low-Acid Fruits for an Acid-Friendly Diet

Fortunately, a wide variety of fruits are low in acid and generally well-tolerated by people with reflux. Incorporating these into your diet can help you maintain your nutrient intake without triggering symptoms.

Bananas: A great low-acid snack, bananas can help coat the esophageal lining and counteract stomach acid.
Melons: Watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew are excellent, low-acid choices that are also high in water, which can help dilute stomach acid.
Apples: Especially sweet varieties, apples are generally considered safe for those with acid reflux.
Pears: Another non-citrus fruit, pears are low-acid and a good source of fiber.
Berries: While some berries like blueberries are moderately acidic, many find strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries to be well-tolerated and delicious low-acid options.
Papaya: This fruit contains papain, an enzyme that can aid digestion, and is generally considered low-acid.

Comparison Table: High-Acid vs. Low-Acid Fruits


Feature	High-Acid Fruits	Low-Acid Fruits
Examples	Lemons, oranges, grapefruit, pineapples, tomatoes	Bananas, melons, apples, pears, papayas
Effect on LES	Can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, increasing reflux risk.	Less likely to affect LES function.
pH Level	Low pH (more acidic), typically below 4.0.	Higher pH (less acidic), typically above 5.0.
Nutritional Benefit	Excellent sources of vitamin C and other nutrients.	Provide essential nutrients, fiber, and vitamins.
Risk of Heartburn	High, especially when consumed in large quantities or on an empty stomach.	Low; often recommended to soothe symptoms.

Practical Tips for Managing Fruit Intake

Beyond simply avoiding certain fruits, how you consume them can also make a difference in managing your symptoms.

Eat in Moderation: If you can't part with a slightly acidic fruit, eat a smaller portion to see how your body reacts. Individual triggers vary.
Timing is Key: Avoid eating trigger fruits close to bedtime. Lying down after a meal can encourage acid to flow back up the esophagus.
Pair with Alkaline Foods: Eating acidic fruits along with more alkaline foods, such as oatmeal or toast, may help neutralize some of the acid.
Drink Water: Sipping water can help wash any acid out of your esophagus and dilute stomach acid.

Conclusion

Making informed dietary choices, particularly when it comes to fruit, can be a highly effective strategy for managing acid reflux and heartburn. By understanding what fruits should you avoid if you have acid—primarily citrus, pineapple, and tomatoes—you can significantly reduce your symptoms. Embracing low-acid alternatives like bananas, melons, and apples allows you to still enjoy a nutritious diet without the pain. While individual sensitivities can differ, a systematic approach to identifying and limiting personal triggers is key to long-term relief and improved digestive health.

Managing GERD through diet is just one part of a comprehensive treatment plan, so it's always best to consult a healthcare professional for personalized medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some fruits cause acid reflux due to their high acidity (low pH level) or because they contain compounds that can relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the valve separating the esophagus and stomach. This relaxation allows stomach acid to flow back up, causing irritation and heartburn.

Most citrus fruits, including lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit, are considered triggers for acid reflux due to their high acid content. However, individual tolerance can vary. For most people, it is best to limit or avoid them, especially on an empty stomach.

Tomatoes, though technically a fruit, are high in both citric and malic acid, making them a common trigger for heartburn. It's often recommended to avoid tomatoes and tomato-based products like sauces and salsa to manage symptoms.

You can enjoy several low-acid fruits that are less likely to cause reflux. Good options include bananas, melons (watermelon, cantaloupe), apples (especially sweet varieties), pears, and berries like strawberries and raspberries.

Yes, many fruit juices, particularly citrus and tomato juices, are highly acidic and can significantly worsen acid reflux symptoms. It is generally better to eat whole, low-acid fruits instead.

No, pineapple is considered a high-acid fruit and is a common trigger for acid reflux. It is often recommended to limit or avoid it to prevent heartburn and other symptoms.

To identify your personal triggers, you can use an elimination diet. Start by avoiding all common trigger fruits for a few weeks, then reintroduce them one at a time in small amounts while monitoring your symptoms. Keeping a food diary can be helpful during this process.