Gastroesophageal reflux and its more chronic form, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, affects 44 percent of all Americans at least once a month. According to Dr. Roopa Vemulapalli in "Nutrition in Clinical Practice," complaints about reflux discomfort is the most common gastrointestinal-related diagnosis given by physicians in U.S. clinics. Being able to control the symptoms with diet alone would be a welcome possibility. The prevailing wisdom when it comes to acid reflux and spicy foods is to avoid them because they are likely causing irritation. But as with every topic in nutrition and medicine, not everyone sees a relationship when the research is reviewed.
Types of acid reflux
Acid reflux, commonly called heartburn, is the burning sensation you feel traveling up you esophagus, usually not long after eating a meal. This is often accompanied by a sour taste in your mouth and, on occasion, swallowing difficulties. Not every occurrence of reflux causes obvious symptoms. A chronic cough, persistent nausea and even a hoarseness in your voice could be signs of reflux. Almost everyone experiences reflux occasionally, but that does not mean you have the more chronic form, GERD. Untreated, prolonged GERD can have serious complications including Barrett's Esophagus, which has led to esophageal cancer is rare instances.
Features of acid reflux
When you swallow, your food passes through a tube called your esophagus directly into your stomach. Reflux happens when acids and food particles pass back up through a small ring-like muscle at the end of your esophagus that is supposed to function like a one-way valve. When the muscle is loose, opens unexpectedly or does not close tightly, these eroding acids can climb back up and cause pain and discomfort.
Dietary theories regarding acid reflux
It is standard practice in the gastroenterology community to suggest cutting out many foods, including spicy foods, from your diet to help reduce reflux. Other foods thought to cause problems include chocolate, citrus, tomato-based foods and high-fat foods. Other culprits include beer, soda and coffee for raising stomach acid levels. A study published in the "Archives of Internal Medicine" in May 2006 showed that significant diet restrictions might be ineffective. Researchers from the Stanford University found that there was no significant correlation between specific foods and acid reflux for most people.
Prevention/Solution
Most dietitians and physicians agree that two important behavioral changes can reduce symptoms of acid reflux: eating smaller meals and elevating your head instead of lying flat after a meal. But other suggestions also be might beneficial. High-fat foods like fast or fried foods take longer to digest. Considering smaller, more frequent meals, eating more fiber to keep your digestive track moving properly and staying at a healthy weight should not contribute to the problem. If you do eat a large meal, consider walking afterwards. Exercise is also helpful in moving the digestive track along.
Expert insight
Making sense of all the different opinions can be a challenge. As a registered dietitian with 10 years of experience, my best advice is to be the keeper of your own health. Keep a food journal. Eat everything that you normally would in the beginning, and keep track of it. If it was a large or high-fat meal, also make note of that. If you find a certain food or eating pattern causes you to experience reflux, avoid it. If you experience heartburn weekly, see a physician about your symptoms.
References
- Nutrition in Clinical Practice: "Diet and lifestyle modifications in the management of GERD"; Roopa Vemulapalli, MD; 2008
- Archives of Internal Medicine: "Are lifestyle measures effective in patients with GERD?: An evidence-based approach"; Tonya Kaltenbach, MD et.al; 2006
