They're a healthy staple in many dishes and salads, but raw onions can do more than bring tears to the eyes of those with GERD. Onions are a common heartburn trigger because they stimulate acid. However, cooking the onions can help put out the fire, Gazzaniga-Moloo says.
Indeed, onions exhibit acidic properties. With a pH level spanning from 5.3 to 5.88, they fall into the category of mildly acidic substances.
A simple soak leaches some of that enzyme from the onion, leaving behind a mellower flavor and a much more palatable salad topper. (Cook's Illustrated has also had success with a bath of water and baking soda, but simple H20 will do the trick nicely.)
Spicy foods, garlic, onion and coffee are all on this list of forbidden favorites, but topping the list is the unsuspecting tomato. It should come as no surprise that acidic foods are problematic for heartburn and acid reflux. While a sweet and juicy fruit, tomatoes are also highly acidic.
Onions are hard to digest largely because they contain fructans, which are not absorbed well in the small intestine. In fact, as fructans ferment, they can cause a great deal of digestive distress in the form of bloating, gas and diarrhea. I recommend avoiding raw onions if your digestive system is sensitive.
Food sensitivity
People who are sensitive to onions may experience digestive problems after consuming them. However, in some cases, these symptoms may not appear until hours later. A food sensitivity can cause uncomfortable symptoms but is not life threatening.
Beans are a heart-healthy food, and are also a good source of fiber. Try including beans in your acid reflux diet to see how they help. Homemade soups, especially with whole wheat noodles and the approved vegetables above can make a great meal to prevent reflux.
Green vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, leafy greens, peas, cucumbers, and Brussels sprouts are known to prevent and alleviate acid reflux. In addition to being very low in fat, these vegetables are also high in alkaline content. The low pH offsets the high pH of the stomach acid.
Avoid foods that trigger your heartburn.
Common foods and drinks that can cause heartburn and interrupt sleep include alcohol; caffeinated drinks like colas, coffee, and tea; chocolate and cocoa; peppermint; garlic; onions; milk; fatty, spicy, greasy, or fried foods; and acidic foods like citrus or tomato products.
Drinking water, low fat milk, and herbal teas may help manage it. Alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and sodas may worsen symptoms, however. Acid reflux, or heartburn, occurs when stomach acid flows up into a person's esophagus, or food pipe.
The properties causing oxidation in fruits is also responsible for fighting bad breath caused by garlic and onion. Taking fresh fruits and vegetables with or after a meal may lessen the stench of garlic and onion. Fruits such as pears, grapes, plums, peaches, and cherries serve this purpose.
3. Onions. Onions is another food that should be eliminated, as there is a clear link between them and acid reflux; when you eat onions they stimulate gastric acid due to it prolonging the amount of time food sits in the stomach, so it will exacerbate heartburn and belching.
1. DAIRY. Milk and dairy products are high in fat and tend to make heartburn worse. When you have frequent GERD symptoms, like heartburn, eating high-fat dairy products like cheese can aggravate your symptoms.
A person with acid reflux should always choose a whole grain version of bread where possible rather than opting for bread containing refined flour. Get weekly insights on ways to manage digestive conditions and boost your allover gut health.
Any root vegetable like potatoes, mushrooms, turnips, and carrots will reduce symptoms since they have a low acidity. Herbs are also a great option to include in your diet. They can add flavor without needing extra oil, sugar, or salt.
Egg Whites: Eggs are a popular food item in terms of easing acid reflux, but some people find that the yolks have a high fat content which can trigger acid reflux. Egg whites are the low-fat, low-cholesterol option to help with acid reflux.
By itself or with little sauce and cheese, pasta shouldn't trigger acid reflux. However, specific ingredients and toppings can lead to heartburn in people prone to it, such as heavy tomato or cream sauces, lots of garlic and spices, and carbonara (cream, cheese, and bacon).
Potatoes — either boiled or baked and prepared without high-fat toppings — are a good option to help you prevent acid reflux. Try to stay away from french-fries and potato chips though.
Some types, like Greek yogurt, plain unsweetened yogurt, and low-fat yogurts, are preferable for people with acid reflux.
Foods That Help Reduce Acid Reflux
Root vegetables, like carrots and beets. Green vegetables, including broccoli, cucumbers or green beans. High-fiber foods, such as oatmeal and brown rice. Alkaline foods – which have a higher pH and are the opposite of acidic foods – including melons, cauliflower and bananas.
The main allergens characterized for onion include All c 3 (a lipid transfer protein), All c 4 (a profilin), and All c Alliin lyase. People allergic to onions may also react to edible alliums, such as garlic, chives, scallions, and shallots. Being sensitive to onion (intolerance) is more common than a true allergy.
What are the symptoms of onion intolerance? If there is an intolerance to onions, the digestive tract is usually affected. Classic symptoms are diarrhea, gas, stomach pain and nausea. Many of those affected also suffer from skin problems or feel a certain amount of tiredness after consumption.
Onions contain amino acids called sulfoxides, and when they are cut into, their cell walls get damaged, causing the sulfoxides to convert into a dreadful gas. It is this gas that comes in contact with your eyes and causes a burning sensation.