Foods and Drinks That Affect Acid Reflux

Do you suffer from acid reflux? If so, you are not alone. Acid reflux is a very common problem. It occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (esophagus). This backwash (acid reflux) can irritate the lining of your esophagus. Fortunately, there are some foods and drinks that can help to relieve the symptoms of acid reflux. In this blog post, we will discuss the best foods and drinks to eat and some to avoid if you have acid reflux.

Acid reflux is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. The symptoms of GERD can be managed by lifestyle choices and over-the-counter medications. In some cases, taking stronger medications and surgery is necessary to treat GERD. Some common symptoms of GERD include regurgitation of food or sour liquid, heartburn, chest pain, trouble swallowing and a feeling of a lump in the throat. Other symptoms include a dry cough, sore throat, burping or hiccups and bloating. If you have acid reflux at night, you may have laryngitis, trouble sleeping, asthma and a lingering cough.

Acid reflux can be aggravated by lying down after eating a meal, wearing tight clothing, eating large meals, smoking, or eating three to four hours before going to bed. Eating smaller meals more often and avoiding foods that trigger acid reflux can help alleviate the symptoms of GERD. Here are foods you should avoid or eat sparingly and why:

•              Fatty or fried cuts of beef, pork, or lamb

•              Oily and greasy food such as french fries and onion rings

•              Other high-fat food such as cream sauces, gravies, and creamy salad dressings

•              Spicy foods can trigger acid reflux symptoms

•              Eating garlic and onions can trigger symptoms for some people

•              Acidic fruit and vegetables such as oranges, grapefruits, limes, lemons, pineapple, tomatoes and salsa

•              Full-fat dairy products, such as butter, whole milk, regular cheese, and sour cream

•              Mints and foods containing mint flavoring, such as chewing gum and breath mints, can also induce acid reflux symptoms.

•              Avoid eating chocolate because it contains methylxanthine. There is evidence that methylxanthine relaxes the smooth muscle in the lower part of the esophagus and increases reflux.

•              Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine

 

While the following foods can't cure acid reflux or GERD, There are also foods that can help manage and lessen symptoms. These include:

•              Choose vegetables that are naturally low in fat and sugar such as green beans, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, leafy greens, potatoes and cucumbers.

•              Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that are believed to be beneficial in the treatment of heartburn and other gastrointestinal issues. Try adding grated or sliced ginger root to recipes or smoothies, or drink ginger tea to ease symptoms.

•              Eat fruits such as bananas, melons, apples and pears

•              Choosing lean and low-fat meat such as chicken, turkey, fish and seafood can decrease GERD symptoms. Use grilling, broiling, baking or poaching cooking methods to prepare them.

•              Replace saturated and trans fats with healthier unsaturated fats such as avocados, walnuts, flaxseed, olive oil, sesame oil and sunflower oil.

•              When eating eggs, choose egg whites and limit egg yolks since they are high in fat and can trigger acid reflux.

•              Chose foods high in fiber such as oatmeal and whole-grain foods. A diet high in fiber has been linked to a decreased risk of acid reflux. Additionally, a high fiber diet can also reduce the risk of high cholesterol, uncontrolled blood sugar, hemorrhoids and other bowel problems such as colon cancer.

 

Since various foods affect each person differently, it may be a good idea to keep a food diary to track acid reflux symptoms after eating. Record what you eat, what time of day you are eating the foods and what the symptoms are after eating.

If you experience more severe or frequent acid reflux symptoms or take over-the-counter medications more than twice a week, you may want to make an appointment with a board-certified gastroenterologist. The gastroenterologist may conduct tests such as an endoscopy to better diagnose and treat acid reflux or GERD symptoms. If more severe cases go untreated, GERD can lead to an esophageal sore or risk a higher chance of esophageal cancer.