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Diet Induced Acid Reflux

Acid reflux occurs when the acidic contents of the stomach are forced back into the esophagus. This causes the pain and discomfort associated with heartburn. While there are many things that can cause acid reflux, diet is a primary contributor.

  1. Acidic Foods

    • For some, eating acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits can increase symptoms of acid reflux. These foods are thought to increase the acid content of the stomach, which can increase the severity of reflux symptoms. However, a 2006 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that reducing acidic foods did little to help with acid reflux symptoms of the 100 patients studied.

    Overeating and Obesity

    • Overeating can cause acid reflux. The contents of a full stomach can put pressure on the sphincter between the stomach and the esophagus, which is responsible for keeping the stomach's contents within the stomach. Eating smaller meals more frequently is recommended for acid reflux sufferers. Additionally, this may also lead to weight loss, which can also reduce symptoms of acid reflux disease.

    Carbonated Beverages

    • Carbonated beverages can increase acid reflux. The bubbles in beer, soda or seltzer water fill the stomach with air and push the acid upward into the esophagus. Limiting your intake of carbonated beverages can help relieve acid reflux. Beer can also increase the acidity of the contents of the stomach almost twofold within an hour and should be avoided if one suffers from acid reflux. Alcohol also has the potential to increase acid reflux.

    Fatty Foods

    • Fatty foods take longer to digest in the stomach, which gives the stomach more time to acidify them. Thus, fatty foods have a tendency to cause more acid reflux than do other types of foods. Making healthier selections (for example, grilled fish over deep fried fish) can alleviate your acid reflux symptoms.

    Head Elevation

    • One of the best solutions for relieving acid reflux is to keep your head and upper torso elevated for at least 45 minutes after eating a meal. People with severe cases of acid reflux benefit from elevating the head of their bed. In fact, in a study of more than 100 people, researchers found that individuals raising the head of their beds improved their acid reflux symptoms more than individuals who only made dietary changes.

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