While it may be surprising to find traditionally healthy food like fruits on this list, tomatoes, oranges, lemons, limes, and other citrus fruits can also lead to acid reflux. If you're someone who frequently suffers from acid reflux, this type of food should be avoided, especially if you're on an empty stomach.
Lemons, oranges, limes, and grapefruit are all foods that can make your GERD symptoms worse because of their citric acid content. Pineapple is another fruit high in citric acid you might want to avoid in order to manage your symptoms.
Tangy, Citrus Fruits
Oranges, pineapples and grapefruits are very acidic, which means they are likely to cause heartburn, especially when eaten on an empty stomach. If you're prone to heartburn, it's important to not only avoid full fruits, but you should also avoid fruit juices.
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.
Avocado: Despite being high in fat, avocados are rich in healthy fats, which can settle your stomach and prevent acid reflux symptoms. Whole Grain Rice: Whole grains are great to absorb the acids causing reflux, and rice is one of the most absorbent.
Acid reflux can cause a burning sensation in the throat and chest. Drinking water, low fat milk, and herbal teas may help manage it.
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.
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.
Effects of Kiwi on Acid Reflux
While kiwis are considered to be acidic, they are actually alkaline-forming when consumed due to their high levels of minerals such as potassium and magnesium. In fact, some studies have shown that consuming kiwis may help reduce symptoms of acid reflux by neutralizing stomach acid.
Fat-Free Yogurt
Yogurt, as long as it is fat-free, may not cause any discomfort in those who occasionally deal with acid reflux. For an even tastier early morning treat, stir in some frozen berries, which are another safe option when dealing with acid reflux 1.
Low in fat, egg whites are easier to digest, so they may be less likely to trigger your GERD. However, egg yolks are high in fat, so may increase your chances of getting acid reflux. If you want to include eggs in your diet, you could consider removing the yolks first.
Honey is a well-known antioxidant and helps protect cells from free radicals. These free radicals may cause acid reflux because they can harm the lining in your esophagus, resulting in inflammation. Thus, adding some honey to warm water may reduce inflammation and soothe the burning sensation.
“Apples, cranberries and cardamom can help heartburn,” Grotto says. The tiny red berry and fragrant spice have antibacterial properties, which may lower your risk of stomach ulcers caused by the bacterium H. pylori, he explains. Apples are also high in pectin, a type of fiber, and the more fiber, the less reflux.
Blueberries have a low pH value, and they are quite acidic. These berries are rich in citric, ascorbic, and arginine acids. They should be avoided on low-acid diets. However, these berries don't trigger heartburn and acid reflux unless consumed in large quantities.
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.
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).
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.
4) Avoid drinking in bed. Lying down with a full stomach can make it easier for the acid to travel up your esophagus, so avoid drinking hot water before sleeping. 5) Practice mindful eating. Eating slowly and avoiding overeating can help to reduce the symptoms of acid reflux, as well as reducing stress levels.
It's sad but true: chocolate can increase the acid exposure to the lower end of the esophagus and induce reflux3. Milk chocolate can also be high in fat4, another reason the sweet is problematic for acid reflux sufferers.
Whole grain foods like oatmeal, bread, and brown rice are healthy, hearty ways to combat occasional heartburn. These complex carbohydrates not only help absorb acid in the stomach, but they're also full of vitamins and minerals.
The high levels of monounsaturated fats in extra virgin olive oil have been found to reduce acid reflux and inflammation in the esophagus. Additionally, compounds found in the oil can help strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter, which is responsible for keeping stomach acids from flowing back up into the esophagus.