Melons – Watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew are all low-acid fruits that are among the best foods for acid reflux.
Foods to Eat on an Acid Reflux Diet
Noncitrus fruits: Apples, bananas, blueberries, and strawberries are safe bets. Lean chicken and meat: Order or cook it grilled instead of fried. Plain breads and cereals: Skip overly processed carbs with high-fat ingredients like muffins and croissants.
The worst offenders are citrus fruits. These have low pH levels, which means they are acidic. The most acidic fruits are lemons, limes, plums, grapes, grapefruits and blueberries. Pineapples, oranges, peaches and tomatoes are also high in acid.
Pomelos are the least acidic and sour of the citrus fruits, but they also tend to be less juicy than grapefruits, oranges, and tangerines.
Kiwis typically have a pH range of 3.1 to 3.96, which is considered acidic. However, the pH level can vary depending on several factors, including the level of ripeness, growing conditions, and storage conditions. Kiwis have a higher pH level than other fruits such as lemons (pH 2) and oranges (pH 3.6 to 4.34).
Blueberries have a pH of 3.1 - 3.3 which makes them much more acidic than most fruit, though certainly not lemons. Fortunately, the good significantly outweighs the bad when it comes to the pH of blueberries.
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.
Drinks such as ginger tea, certain fruit and vegetable juices, and plant-based milks may benefit people experiencing acid reflux and heartburn. Avoiding citrus juices, carbonated beverages, and alcohol can also help to reduce symptom frequency and severity.
Avocados go down easy in more ways than one: These low-acidic fruits (yes, they are actually fruit) are smooth and creamy, making for an easy passage down your esophagus—important for people with acid reflux who often experience inflammation or irritation of their esophageal lining.
Avocado: Despite being high in fat, avocados are rich in healthy fats, which can settle your stomach and prevent acid reflux symptoms.
Water. Most notably, mineral water with an alkaline pH – this may reduce the acidity of the stomach and help to denature the enzyme pepsin. It's this digestive enzyme that is thought to be responsible for much of the damage associated with reflux.
“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.
In accordance with their pH level, strawberries are acidic. The pH range for strawberries is usually 3 to 3.5. A pH value between 0 and 6.99 is regarded as acidic. The number is more acidic the closer it approaches to 0.
Taking antacids is considered the quickest way to get rid of heartburn. These over-the-counter medications help neutralize stomach acid. They are one of the first recommended treatments and may provide quick relief.
Is yogurt a good choice? 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.
Kiwifruit have known positive effects on digestion. During clinical intervention trials using kiwifruit to improve constipation, upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as abdominal discomfort and pain, indigestion, and reflux were also alleviated.
Generally, the pH level of plain yogurt is between 4.4 and 4.8, making it slightly acidic. Greek yogurt, for example, has a lower pH and is more acidic compared to regular yogurt. The acidity of yogurt may also be affected by the addition of fruits or sweeteners.
Given that your dessert is one (or two) scoop of vanilla ice-cream. Wondering why we chose this flavour for your heartburn, out of all those other mouth-watering flavours? It is because vanilla ice-cream is just another version of cold milk (that is frozen) thought to be a good natural remedy for acidity.
Popular to the belief that citrus fruits are highly acidic and would have an acidic effect on the system, surprisingly they are the best source of alkaline foods. Lemon, sweet lime and oranges overpowered with vitamin C that helps in detoxifying the system and offers respite from heartburn and acidity.
Ripe mangoes have an approximate pH level between 5.80-6.00 and green mangoes have an approximate pH level between 3.40-4.80. Therefore, fully ripe mangoes are less acidic than unripe mangoes.