While many apples and grapes are regarded as OK for someone with acid reflux to eat, it is wise to avoid particularly sour varieties of these fruits as well. Don't worry: you don't need to avoid all of your favorite fruits to find relief from your heartburn.
Potential Health Drawbacks of Grapes
Additionally, while grapes are mildly acidic, some people with acid reflux, GERD, or other digestive issues may experience discomfort after eating acidic foods, including grapes.
Acidic Foods
Many people find that eating citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, and pineapples, can trigger heartburn symptoms.
Antacids like Tums, Rolaids, and Maalox, provide relief for heartburn by neutralizing your stomach acid. H-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs), such as famotidine (Pepcid AC, Pepcid Oral, and Zantac 360), reduce the amount of stomach acid your body produces.
“Grapes do have a degree of melatonin in them,” says DiMarino. “So they're a great evening snack. They don't have a lot of calories and they can potentially help you fall asleep.”
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.
Can drinking milk neutralize stomach acid? Yes, drinking a glass of cow's milk can help control acid reflux symptoms and may immediately relieve heartburn. This is because milk can temporarily buffer stomach acid.
Avocado: Despite being high in fat, avocados are rich in healthy fats, which can settle your stomach and prevent acid reflux symptoms.
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.
Does Water Help Heartburn? Drinking water can help to alleviate heartburn symptoms in a few different ways. First, water can help to dilute stomach acid and make it less irritating to the esophagus. This can reduce the burning sensation in the chest that is characteristic of heartburn.
Heartburn occurring more than twice per week is a symptom of GERD and may require stronger or prescription medications. Persistent heartburn can also be a symptom of other conditions, such as Barrett's esophagus, hiatal hernia, or esophageal cancer.
Just like vegetables, a banana is a low-acid and high alkaline fruit that is also great for the digestive tract. If you battle with heartburn, bananas can help prevent stomach acid production while also helping things run smoothly through the digestive system.
People without a history of heartburn can suddenly develop heartburn as a result of eating certain foods, some eating patterns, drinking, and smoking. Stress, anxiety, certain medications, and some medical conditions can also cause it.
Whole grains — High fiber, whole-grains like brown rice, oatmeal, and whole grain breads help stop symptoms of acid reflux. They are a good source of fiber and may help absorb stomach acid. Lean protein — Low-fat, lean sources of protein also reduce symptoms. Good choices are chicken, seafood, tofu, and egg whites.
GERD-Friendly Diet Recommendations
Most fruits and fruit juices such as apple, grape, cranberry, banana, pears, etc. Low-fat and fat-free soups such as clear broth based soups*.
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.
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.
Gaviscon can be used to treat heartburn (acid reflux) and indigestion. The medicine works by forming a protective layer that floats on top of the contents of your stomach. This stops stomach acid escaping up into your food pipe.
The most acidic fruits are lemons, limes, plums, grapes, grapefruits and blueberries. Pineapples, oranges, peaches and tomatoes are also high in acid.