2. Bananas. This low-acid fruit can help neutralize stomach acid by coating an irritated esophageal lining. And not only are bananas alkaline, they're also rich in pectin — a soluble fiber that helps keeps food flowing nicely through the digestive tract.
Melons – Watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew are all low-acid fruits that are among the best foods for acid reflux.
Koufman says. O'Connor says that this is because ripe bananas have high levels of oligo-fructans (chains of fructose sugars), which make them a high-FODMAP food. FODMAP foods, she says, can cause gas and bloating in people with IBS. However, even green bananas can cause bloating, which can then lead to heartburn.
A: Ripe bananas have a pH of about 5, making them a mildly acidic food. That does not mean that bananas cause heartburn or reflux, however. Decades ago, Indian researchers tested banana powder and found it helpful for relieving symptoms of indigestion (The Lancet, March 10, 1990).
Banana is considered to be an alkaline food because of its high potassium content. A ripe banana can combat stomach acid and coat stomach lining to help prevent heartburn and other reflux symptoms. However, for some people, bananas can be a trigger, particularly if the banana is not yet ripe.
Oatmeal has been a whole-grain breakfast favorite for generations. It is a good source of fiber, so it keeps you feeling full and promotes regularity. Oats also absorb stomach acid and reduce symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). For something sweet, top your oatmeal with bananas, apples or pears.
Yogurt that is not too sour is also excellent for acid reflux, because of the probiotics that help normalize bowel function. Yogurt also provides protein, and soothes stomach discomfort, often providing a cooling sensation. It is easy to choose foods by looking them up to see how acidic they are.
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. Furthermore, cold dairy products like ice cream can actually numb and inhibit the lower esophageal sphincter's function.
Water. In general, drinking water can help balance the pH of a particularly acidic meal, which may help to lower the risk of acid reflux. Studies show that drinking mineral water with a high hydrogen carbonate content can help to alleviate the frequency and severity of acid reflux.
Apples are a good source of calcium, magnesium, and potassium. It's thought that these alkalizing minerals may help relieve symptoms of acid reflux. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid rises into the esophagus.
In a clinical review published by the British Medical Journal , researchers suggested that honey's viscous nature might help keep acids down. One member of their team saw relief from his heartburn symptoms after consuming five milliliters (about one teaspoon) of plain honey.
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.
A healthy eating guide for reflux
Breakfast - a bowl of high fibre cereal such as untoasted muesli, weetbix or porridge with fresh or tinned fruit and reduced fat or skim milk and/ or wholemeal or grain toast with minimal margarine and honey or vegemite.
For avoiding heartburn, she offers the following suggestion: "Keep a food log to help you track the foods that are your heartburn offenders, and try to develop a list of safe foods." Foods like broiled chicken, baked sweet potatoes, toast, or cottage cheese, she says, are on the safe side of the heartburn food list.
Common Causes of Acidity:
Unhealthy eating habits like having too much tea, coffee, cold- drinks, junk, spicy, oily food etc. Stomach ailments like Ulcers, Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), etc. A bad lifestyle like taking too much stress, sleeping less, smoking, drinking alcohol etc.
When your stomach is distended and bloated, acid can rise back into the esophagus, triggering symptoms. But an empty stomach can cause problems, too. Go more than three to four hours without a meal or snack, and stomach acid — which would usually be used in the digestive process to break down food — collects.
In general, heartburn symptoms go away once the food that caused them has been digested. It usually takes 2-5 hours for the food to go out of the stomach and small intestine.
Acid reflux is an uncomfortable condition that often leads to belching and heartburn. Drinking lemon water is a potentially helpful remedy to reduce symptoms. Always drink it diluted and pay attention to the body's reaction.