Acid Reflux & Diet

Acid reflux refers to a persistent or chronic form of heartburn. Also called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), acid reflux diseases affect between five and seven percent of the population (as compared to heartburn which occurs in approximately 19.8 percent of the population). Acid reflux affects both men, women, and children, and affects both the stomach and the esophagus. Treatments typically involve lifestyle modification, including changes in diet, but also may involve drug therapy. Typically, the condition is chronic and changes in diet must be permanent to avoid recurrence.

What is Acid Reflux

• Acid reflux, or GERD, is not caused by diet. It is caused when the stomach contents and acid in the stomach from digestion flow backwards into the esophagus. While the stomach naturally produces acid and a small portion of this acid generally finds its way into the esophagus, people with acid reflux disease have too much acid in the esophagus, which can damage this body part. No single factor causes this condition to occur, and although altering diet can relieve the symptoms, the condition still exists and if the alterations to the diet are not maintained, acid reflux problems will begin to occur again.

Causes

• Certain foods worsen acid reflux and/or cause the symptoms to become more extreme. This link between diet and acid reflux is explained by the fact that some foods simply cause the stomach to produce more acid, which then finds its way to the esophagus. Conditions such as pregnancy and obesity can also increase the risk of acid reflux, as can laying down after a meal and/or using certain blood pressure medications.

Foods to Avoid

• A number of different foods are known to aggravate acid reflux. These foods include meals that are high in fat, citrus fruits, tomatoes or tomato-based products, mints, chocolate, alcohol, coffee, carbonated beverages, vinegar, cream soups, garlic, pepper, spices, and raw onions.

Suggested Foods To Eat

• Certain foods may help relieve symptoms of acid reflux and are considered by alternative health practitioners to be a natural cure for acid reflux. Drinking approximately a half cup of aloe vera juice a half hour before a meal is said to reduce problems with acid reflux. Ginger is also said to be a natural remedy for heartburn and acid reflux. Finally, eating a high fiber diet may also help the digestive system. High fiber foods including cereal, non-citrus fruits and raw vegetable.

Treatment

• If altering the diet is not sufficient to resolve acid reflux, acid blocking medications may also help to relieve symptoms associated with GERD. Acid blockers are available in both prescription and non-prescription form and should generally be taken shortly before a meal, in order to aid in the digestive process.