If you’re like me and want to enjoy one of the world’s most popular sauces, you may be wondering whether it’s acidic and whether you can continue to add it to your favorite dishes. I mean, sushi without soy sauce is just boring. I need the extra kick from the soy sauce.
Is soy sauce acidic?
Yes, soy sauce is considered acidic. Its pH is around 5, with one of the best sellers, Kikkoman soy sauce, having a pH of 4.8. Therefore, most people with GERD do not recommend it as it can lead to acid reflux.
What exactly is soy sauce?
Soy sauce is probably the oldest condiment prepared by man and is widely used in both Middle Eastern and American cuisine. It is a delicious fermented soy product. Five companies account for 50% of total soy sauce production.
There are two basic types of soy sauce:
- fermented soy sauce (NBSS) and
- Soy sauce made from hydrolyzed vegetable proteins (HVP).
What is the pH of soy sauce?
As I mentioned before, the pH of soy sauce is around 5 (4.8 for Kikkoman). Although this seems more like a neutral value of 7, it is still considered acidic. And this acidity actually gives it its “refined, well-rounded acidity.”
Soy sauce also contains about 1.0% lactic acid and more than ten other organic acids, including succinic acid.
A pH of 0 is completely acidic , while a pH of 14 is completely alkaline. A pH value of 7 is neutral.
Is cooked soy sauce acidic?
You can reduce acidity when cooking foods, including cooking with soy sauce, by sprinkling small amounts of baking soda. You can add it until the sour taste of the food subsides, but remember to taste the food often so that the taste of the baking soda does not overwhelm the taste of the food.
Another good tip is to only cook dishes for as short a time as possible so that the water does not boil away and the acid does not concentrate in a smaller amount of food.
When cooking with soy sauce, it doesn’t necessarily become more or less sour, especially if you add it toward the end of cooking.
Is soy sauce bad for heartburn?
GERD is a very individual disease – what negatively affects you may be fine for others.
While it may not be the worst thing for GERD, it certainly won’t help if you’re struggling with acid reflux. Soy sauce contains a significant amount of acids that contribute to that special taste. A good tip is to incorporate highly alkaline foods with highly acidic foods, as alkalinity reduces acidity.
Incorporate highly alkaline foods with highly acidic foods as alkalinity reduces acidity.
What happens if I eat soy sauce every day?
Japanese people tend to live the longest and probably eat more soy sauce than anyone else in the world. Could there be a connection?
It’s okay to eat soy sauce every day if you don’t have problems with acid reflux, of course if you consume a reasonable amount, that is, less than three smaller portions, that is, 1 to 2 tablespoons.
According to the Japan Soy Sauce Brewers Association, daily consumption of soy sauce in Japan is estimated at about 30 ml per person.
Naturally brewed soy sauce contains about 1-1.6% nitrogen, 17-19% simple sugars, and 1-2% organic acids . Free amino acids, particularly glutamic acid, make up about 45% of nitrogen and are responsible for the umami taste.
What health problems can eating too much soy sauce cause?
Naturally brewed soy sauce is healthier and has more health benefits than chemically made soy sauce (duh). Chemically produced soy sauce contains a toxic substance called 3-MCPD. And there have been several recalls of soy sauce products that exceed the substance’s safe limits.
Although chemically produced soy sauce is quicker and cheaper to make, the resulting soy sauce tastes inferior, contains some toxic compounds, and may require additional colors and flavors.
Additionally, soy sauce is generally high in sodium, which can increase blood pressure. It may also be high in MSG (food additive) and contain significant amounts of amines, including histamine and tyramine. Too much histamine can cause headaches, dizziness, itching and skin rashes when consumed in large quantities.
It also contains wheat and gluten , which can be extremely problematic for people with wheat allergies and celiac disease.
Which sauce is good for heartburn?
If you suffer from really bad acid reflux, your best bet would be to mix your own sauces from scratch using ingredients proven not to trigger your disorder.
Most sauces aren’t overly complicated to make and you have complete control over the ingredients used, unlike Russian Roulette where you cook with store-bought sauce.
Diploma
If you suffer from GERD, it is best to avoid soy sauce or use it in small amounts because it is acidic. Not only does soy sauce taste great, but it also has many health benefits. And if you continue to use it, it’s best to go for naturally brewed soy sauce (NBSS) as it offers more benefits than chemically produced soy sauce (HVP).
What food goes well with soy sauce?
Due to its high levels of natural umami, soy sauce is good for glazing roasted or roasted meat, fish and vegetables. Instead of salt, you can use soy sauce to highlight the taste of the food even more. Soy sauce pairs well with steamed dishes and is great with seasoned rice and noodles.
Light soy sauce is usually used for dipping, dark soy sauce is used for fried noodles, vegetables and pork, and sweet soy sauce is often used for dried rice and noodles. Who doesn’t like the combination of noodles and soy sauce, am I right?
What are good substitutes for soy sauce?
Sometimes soy sauce isn’t on our grocery list due to allergies or an ingredient we should generally avoid.
Still, you’ll want to enjoy some of the dishes that traditionally use soy sauce. A good substitute in recipes that call for soy sauce would be Tamari sauce, which is also made from soybeans but only wheat, Worcestershire sauce, which is lower in sodium.
A good alternative is also miso paste, then fish sauce and coconut amino acids with an umami taste similar to soy sauce.