Chocolate — Everyone's favorite treat comes with a dark side; chocolate contains caffeine, cocoa, and plant chemicals that can all trigger heartburn. Also, a chemical in cocoa relaxes the LES, making it easier for stomach contents to leak into your esophagus.
Chocolate
It's sad but true: chocolate can increase the acid exposure to the lower end of the esophagus and induce reflux3. Milk chocolate can also be high in fat4, another reason the sweet is problematic for acid reflux sufferers.
"We found that the chocolate causes a large amount of serotonin to be released from the cells in the intestines," says Wei Ming Sun, Ph. D., research scientist, U-M Department of Internal Medicine. "The serotonin causes the lower esophageal sphincter to relax.
Non-fat or low-fat pudding, custard, ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet. Low-fat cookies. Gelatin made from allowed foods. Sweets and desserts with chocolate, peppermint, or spearmint (including flavoring).
Egg Whites: Eggs are a popular food item in terms of easing acid reflux, but some people find that the yolks have a high fat content which can trigger acid reflux. Egg whites are the low-fat, low-cholesterol option to help with acid reflux.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease usually causes heartburn, as well as respiratory and digestive symptoms. Doctors often recommend that people with this common illness avoid drinking caffeine.
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.
Although generally deemed healthy because they are high in monounsaturated fats and nutrients, avocados are actually as likely to give you heartburn as a greasy burger.
Lettuce, celery and sweet peppers – These mild green veggies are easy on the stomach – and won't cause painful gas. Brown rice – This complex carbohydrate is mild and filling – just don't serve it fried. Melons – Watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew are all low-acid fruits that are among the best foods for acid reflux.
Toast can help decrease nausea and reduce heartburn, but not all toast is the same. Whole wheat bread is more healthful than white bread but is high in fiber and can be difficult for some people to eat. If a person has trouble digesting whole wheat toast, the first step is to try it plain without butter.
Milk and dairy products are high in fat and tend to make heartburn worse. When you have frequent GERD symptoms, like heartburn, eating high-fat dairy products like cheese can aggravate your symptoms. Furthermore, cold dairy products like ice cream can actually numb and inhibit the lower esophageal sphincter's function.
“Be careful of the full-fat versions of dairy products, including ice cream, as high fat foods can aggravate reflux,” Rojas adds.
Rice. Fibre content and healthy complex carbs in rice are great to reduce heartburn.
Similarly, if a person does not eat for a long period of time, acid may build up in the stomach in preparation for digesting the next meal. This may cause hunger pains and contribute to GERD symptoms such as heartburn. Learn more about foods to eat and avoid with GERD and acid reflux.
Green Tea and its caffeinated counterparts could hinder rather than help in the fight against acid reflux. The same is true of Peppermint Tea, while Fennel Tea is a hit-or-miss affair. That leaves Ginger Root and Camomile Tea as your best options.
Does GERD go away on its own? Mild forms of GERD can go away, particularly if an offending risk factor is removed. For instance, in overweight patients, weight loss can be very effective. Quitting cigarette smoking or limiting caffeine, alcohol, and other dietary triggers can also be very helpful.
Some research suggests that inflammation in the esophagus (esophagitis) from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can take up to 8 weeks to heal with successful lifestyle changes and medications.
The duration of GERD symptoms can vary from person to person. In some cases, symptoms may occasionally last a few hours. In other cases, symptoms may be more frequent and persist for several days or weeks.
Bananas for stomach acid are considered safe because they have alkaline (alkaline) properties. In addition, this fruit is also considered to help balance the acid in the stomach so that symptoms of acid reflux or GERD can be prevented.
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.
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.