7 foods to help reduce acid reflux

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Posted by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

1. Diet and Nutrition for GERD

Acid reflux occurs when acid backs up from the stomach into the esophagus. This is common but can cause complications or bothersome symptoms, such as heartburn.
One reason this happens is that the lower esophageal sphincter (LES ) is weakened or damaged. Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter closes to prevent stomach contents from moving up the esophagus.
The food you eat affects the amount of acid your stomach makes. Eating the right foods is key to managing acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a severe, chronic form of acid reflux.

2. Foods that can help relieve your symptoms

Reflux symptoms can be because acid in the stomach touches the esophagus and causes irritation and pain. If you have too much acid, you can incorporate these specific foods into your diet to manage the symptoms of acid reflux.
None of these foods will cure your condition, and the decision to use these specific foods to ease your symptoms should be based on your own experience with them.
Vegetables
Vegetables are naturally low in fat and sugar, and they help reduce stomach acid. Good choices include green beans, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, green leafy vegetables, potatoes, and cucumbers.
Ginger
Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties and is a natural treatment for heartburn and other gastrointestinal problems. You can add grated or sliced ​​ginger to recipes or smoothies or ginger tea drinks
Oatmeal
Oatmeal porridge
Fruits
Non-orange fruits, including melons, bananas, apples and pears , are less likely to cause reflux symptoms than acidic fruits.

Lean meats and seafood
Lean meats, such as chicken, turkey, fish and seafood, are low in fat and reduce symptoms of acid reflux. Try baked or boiled eggs.
Egg whites
Egg whites are a good choice. However, stay away from egg yolks, which are high in fat and can cause reflux symptoms.
Healthy Fats
Sources of healthy fats include avocados, walnuts, flaxseeds, olive oil, sesame oil, and sunflower oil. Reduce your intake of saturated and trans fats and replace them with healthier unsaturated fats.

3. Watch out for foods that trigger your symptoms

sour is a common symptom of acid reflux and GERD. You may experience a burning sensation in your abdomen or chest after eating a full meal or certain foods. GERD can also cause vomiting or regurgitation when acid moves into your esophagus.
Other symptoms include:
Dry cough Sore throat Bloating Ợ gas or hiccups Difficulty swallowing Tumors in the throat Many people with GERD find that certain foods trigger their symptoms. No single diet can prevent all symptoms of GERD, and food triggers are different for everyone.
To identify your individual trigger foods, pay attention to the menu
What foods you eat What time of day You eat symptoms Symptoms you experience Keep this menu diary for at least a week. It can be helpful to keep an eye on your food for a longer period of time if your diet changes. You can use a diary to identify specific foods and drinks that affect your GERD.
Also, the diet and nutrition tips here are a starting point for planning your meals. Use this guide along with your food journal and recommendations from your doctor. The goal is to minimize and control your symptoms.

4. Popular stimulant foods for people with reflux

Although doctors debate which foods actually cause reflux symptoms, certain foods have been shown to cause problems for many people. To manage symptoms, you can start by eliminating the following foods from your diet.
High-fat foods
Fried and fatty foods can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax, allowing more stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. These foods also slow down gastric emptying.
Eating foods high in fat puts you at greater risk of reflux symptoms, so reducing your total daily fat intake may help.
Tomatoes and citrus fruits
Fruits and vegetables are important in a healthy diet. But certain fruits can cause or worsen GERD symptoms, especially highly acidic fruits. If you often suffer from acid reflux, you should reduce or eliminate your intake of foods such as oranges, grapefruits, pineapples, tomatoes, etc.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains an ingredient called methylxanthine. It has been shown to relax smooth muscle in the lower esophageal sphincter and increase reflux.
Garlic, onions and spicy foods
Spicy and spicy foods, such as onions and garlic, cause heartburn symptoms in many people.
These foods will not cause reflux in everyone. But if you eat a lot of onions or garlic, be sure to keep track of your meals carefully in a diary. Some of these foods, along with spicy foods, may bother you more than others.
Caffeine
People with acid reflux may notice their symptoms appear after drinking their morning coffee. This is because caffeine is a cause of acid reflux.

Peppermint
Peppermint and mint-flavored products, like gum and mints, can also cause acid reflux symptoms.
Alternatives
Although the list above includes common triggers, you may have unique intolerances to other foods. You might consider eliminating the following foods for three to four weeks to see if your symptoms improve: dairy, flour products like bread and crackers, and whey protein.

5. Lifestyle changes

In addition to managing reflux symptoms with diet and nutrition, you can manage symptoms with lifestyle changes. Try these tips:
Take antacids and other medicines that reduce acid production. (Excessive abuse can cause negative side effects.)Buy antacids here Maintain a healthy weight. Chew gum that is not mint or mint flavored. Avoid drinking alcohol. Quit smoking. Don't overeat and eat slowly. Hold an upright position for at least two hours after eating. Avoid wearing tight clothing. Do not eat for three to four hours before going to bed. Elevate the head of your bed four to six inches to reduce reflux symptoms while sleeping.

6. What is the outlook for GERD?

People with GERD can often manage their symptoms with lifestyle changes and Over-the-counter medications
Talk to your doctor if lifestyle changes and medications do not improve symptoms. Your doctor may recommend prescription medication or, in severe cases, surgery.
Department of Endoscopy - Gastroenterology is one of the key specialties at Vinmec International General Hospital. For timely examination, advice and treatment of digestive diseases, you can contact Vinmec Health System nationwide or register online on the website for service.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference
Definitions and facts for GER and GERD. (2014, Nov. 13) niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/digestive-diseases/ger-and-gerd-in-adults/Pages/definition-facts.aspx Dietary changes for with GERD. (2016, February 15) aboutgerd.org/diet-lifestyle-changes/diet-changes-for-gerd.html Gastroesophageal reflux disease. (2012, January 23) my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_gastroesophogeal_reflux_disease_GERD Kubo, A., Block, G., Quesenberry, CP, Buffler, P., & Corley, DA (2014, Aug. 14) . Follow dietary guidelines for gastroesophageal reflux disease. BMC Gastroenterology bmcgastroenterol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-230X-14-144 Mayo Clinic Staff. (2016, January 24). Added Sugars: Uninfested by sweeteners mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/ Nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/added-sugar/art-20045328 Nass-Jensen, E., Hveem, K., El-Serag, H., & Lagergren, J. (2016, February). Lifestyle interventions in gastroesophageal reflux disease [Abstract]. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 14 (2), 175-82 cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565(15)00635-7/abstract