Foods that reduce acid reflux
Acid reflux is quite a common phenomenon and it happens usually whenever acid backflows from our stomach into the esophagus. This happens in a common manner but acid reflux can cause complications and harmful symptoms such as heartburn, so in this article, I will share foods that reduce acid reflux and we can include them in our diet.
Out of the many causes of acid reflux, the common one is that the LES or lower esophageal sphincter is damaged or not working in its proper condition. The LES has the function to close so as to prevent the stomach from moving into the esophagus. As it fails to function, the food starts coming out back into the esophagus.
Acid reflux can be reduced or increases depending on our diet. Many foods play an important part in increasing the amount of acid that your stomach produces. This acid is used to digest stomach but when it increases, acidity increases in the inner lining of our stomach. Eating the right kind of foods can help in controlling acid reflux. It also helps prevents GERD which is a type of gastroesophageal reflux disease which is a chronic form of acid reflux.
How can good food help
Foods help reduce the symptoms of acid reflux. One may wonder how? The reflux symptoms result from stomach acid getting in touch with the esophagus which causes irritation and pain. When you get too much acid in your diet, you can substitute some food to decrease the chances of acid production to manage the symptoms of this disease. One important thing to note here is that no food can cure your condition entirely. Your decision to use these foods will help soothe your symptoms and the results vary with each individual.
Vegetables
Vegetables are never the reason acid gets produced in our stomach. Instead, they help neutralize the acid, especially the alkaline version. Vegetables are usually lower in fat and sugar too. They help reduce stomach acid in a safer way. Various good options are available in the market including the popular ones such as broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, potatoes, green beans, cucumbers, and leafy greens.
Ginger
Having natural anti-inflammatory properties, ginger is an all-time popular natural treatment for acid reflux. This helps in heartburn and various other gastrointestinal problems. You can start having ginger in regular diets. Though it might not be a good idea to consume ginger in its raw form, you may include in regular diets. You can add grated or sliced ginger roots to recipes or smoothies. You can drink ginger tea to ease acid reflux symptoms and you can even add the ginger paste to daily food dishes to get its benefits.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a world-known breakfast favorite for no ordinary reason. The diet is rich in fiber but also do wonders in keeping your acidity in check. Oatmeal is a type of whole grain and is an excellent source of essential nutrients required by our body. Oatmeal helps by absorbing acid in the stomach to reduce the reflux symptoms. Also, it is is a favorite for fitness experts as it helps in providing our body with all the necessary nutrients without causing a burden on the calorie intake. It is even regarded as better than whole-grain bread and whole-grain rice.
Fruits those are low in citrus
Citrus is a form of acid and helps our body in making the digestion process faster. But if you are having acid reflux symptoms, you already are dealing with the uncontrolled amount of acids in your body. Hence, what you should be looking for are non-citrus fruits. Various options are available in the market but the common ones are melons, apples, pears, and bananas. These help in avoiding acid reflux symptoms. You should avoid acidic fruits such as oranges, pineapple, lemons, etc.
Seafood and lean meats
These are good options in reducing your acid reflux. Being rich in protein content, help reduce the acid in our stomach. You may go for lean meats such as fish, turkey or chicken. You may opt for low-fat seafood that can help reduce acidity symptoms. It is always the best option to have them grilled, baked, poached or broiled. You should not consume them in grille form.
Egg white
When consuming egg, you should note that the egg whites are a good option to counter acid reflux. You should avoid having egg yolks. Yolks are higher in fat and often trigger reflux symptoms. Egg whites have rich protein content which helps reduce the acid amount in our body.
Healthy fats
When looking for the best acid-countering foods, you should not ignore the importance of healthy fats. There are various sources of healthy fats that are easily available in the market and are affordable too. Popular choices include walnuts, flaxseed, sesame oil, avocados, sunflower oil, and sesame oil. You should look forward to reducing your intake of Trans fats and saturated fats.
Symptoms and triggers
Out of many common symptoms, heartburn is the most common one that promotes GERD. One can easily develop a burning sensation in his or her stomach. Heartburn can also lead to a burning sensation in your chest. This happens usually when you have eaten a full meal. You can get acid burn after eating certain foods that trigger the process. Many people get an acid burn from eating oily foods or junk items. Many people have reported getting an acid burn from tea as well. You need to find you are triggering food in order to reduce or eliminate it from our diet. GERD also causes vomiting along with regurgitation which happens as the result of acid moving into your esophagus.
