If you’re learning more about the alkaline diet, chances are good that you want to know whether all kinds of foods are alkaline, particularly alternatives to acidic foods like all-purpose flour (which usually has a pH of between 6 and 6.8).
And, of course, coconut flour is one of those natural alternatives that often pops up. Let’s dive in.
So, is coconut flour alkaline?
Yes, coconut flour is usually slightly alkaline. According to research, coconuts can have a slightly alkaline composition with a pH of 7.80.
However, your mileage may vary because of the chemical makeup of your body. This is an area where lots more research is needed – so while a food may be slightly alkaline all on its own, once inside the body it could actually end up being slightly acidic. Weird, right?
Plus – a lot depends on what’s specifically IN the coconut flour. Does it have additives? Do those additives add acidity? If so, they can steer the flour a little in one direction or the other.
What Is Coconut Flour?
Coconut flour is when you grind coconut meal into a fine powder. It is an excellent keto and gluten-free alternative to wheat flour.
However, since coconut flour tends to absorb more water, you cannot use it in a 1:1 ratio. Instead, you should only use about 25% of what is stated in the recipe.
For example, if the recipe asks for one cup of whole wheat flour, you can use substitute it for ¼ of coconut flour.
Nutrition Facts of Coconut Flour
Before we talk about coconut flour’s pH, let’s analyze its nutritional facts.
Two tablespoons of coconut flour have the following nutritional value.
- Calories: 60
- Net carbs: 4.0g
- Total carbs: 9.0g
- Fiber: 5.0g
- Proteins: 2.0g
- Fats: 2.0g
Compared to regular flour, coconut flour is lower in carbs, higher in fiber, and with high nutrient content.
Thanks to its low carb count, it makes an excellent food to include for those who follow a low-carb diet, such as keto followers or people with diabetes.
One of its main nutrients is potassium, which is an essential mineral that helps regulate hydration. Additionally, it is also high in iron which helps transport oxygen throughout the body.
What Is The pH Of Coconut Flour?
Now, let’s talk about coconut flour’s pH.
A pH scale measures the amount of hydrogen something has. It uses a scale of 1-14. The lower the pH scale, the more acidic it is, while the higher the pH, the more alkaline. Meanwhile, water has a pH of 7, which is neutral.
Fresh coconut and coconut flour seem to have different numbers on the pH scale.
Fresh coconut seems to have a pH of 5.80 and 7.80, meaning it might be slightly more alkaline. The maturity, the soil in the palm tree growth, and other factors can affect the nutrient composition of the coconut, which determines its pH.
On the other hand, coconut preserves can have a slightly more acidic value (3.80 to 7.00). However, just like with fresh coconut, it is not as simple to determine its pH level. The pH of the initial coconut, any preservatives used, or any other processing mechanism can affect its pH number.
So, why does it matter if a food is more alkaline or acidic?
Alkaline vs. Acidic Foods
The alkaline diet relies on how a food’s pH can affect the body’s pH.
Now, food doesn’t have to taste acidic to be acid-forming inside the body. The nutrients in the food make it have an acidic or alkaline nature.
So, which foods are acidic, and which ones are alkaline?
- Acidic foods: popcorn, pasta, beef, peanuts, oats, liver, salmon, and processed foods.
- Alkaline foods: apples, almonds, bananas, strawberries, beets, tangerine, spinach, broccoli, and asparagus.
As you can see, most processed foods and meats tend to be acidic-forming, while fruits and vegetables tend to be more alkaline.
The importance of consuming alkaline foods relies on the theory that consuming too many acidic foods can increase digestive issues such as heartburn and acid reflux.
However, there is still a lack of research regarding the effects of an alkaline diet – basically, there needs to be some scientific proof that the alkaline diet itself is beneficial, and at the moment, that proof isn’t there. In reality, the body cannot be fully alkaline or acidic.
For example, the stomach has an acidic environment necessary to kill any pathogens consumed in the food and aid digestion. But other parts of the body tend to be more alkaline.
Baking with coconut flour
Coconut flour is a great alternative to all-purpose flour, and it bakes really well. Generally I’ve found that coconut flour bread is denser than “regular” bread, which makes it ideal for toast or a hearty side dish. We’ve also tested out fantastic coconut flour sugar cookies.
The Bottom Line
Coconut flour is an excellent option to replace regular flour. It is lower in carbs and calories. Also, it has a smaller impact on blood glucose levels.
(Incidentally, if you’re on the keto diet, here are several keto-friendly coconut flour recipes that can be a great addition!)
However, while fresh coconut might be slightly alkaline, coconut flour might have a slightly more acidic state.
But, as we’ve seen throughout the article, it is not simple to determine since there are several factors that can affect its pH, and there is little scientific evidence regarding the topic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cassava flour is an option suitable for an alkaline diet. It has a pH of 9.3, which makes it higher on the pH scale. It is another gluten-free option and might be better than regular flour. However, it is still high in carbs, so you should still be careful about how much you consume during the day.
No, coconut flour is not inflammatory. In fact, coconut flour is high in antioxidants and contains healthy fats that can help decrease inflammation. It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can help you fight an illness. Additionally, since it is a gluten-free option, it is an ideal food to include to reduce inflammation for those with celiac disease.
If you want to include more alkaline foods, here are some foods you can include if you follow an alkaline diet: Tomatoes, almonds, lemon, parsley, spinach, garlic, avocado, basil, red onion, and apricots. Remember that food doesn’t have to taste acidic to be classified as acid-forming.
