Nearly 20 percent of the American population suffers from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, commonly known as acid reflux. One of the ways to alleviate some of the symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn is by consuming a diet containing fruits, which are non-acidic foods. There are many fruits you can enjoy that will not raise the acidity of your system and may help to control the painful condition.
Insight
For optimum health, the body must maintain an acid and alkaline balance. Physicians from the early 20th century have recognized the link between disease and dietary pH balance. Protein is a significant component of most meals in our modern diet. Once metabolized, protein leaves an acidic residue in the body. Acid reflux is a result of an extended pH imbalance. Eating fruit causes your body to be alkaline, which can help control and prevent acid reflux.
Causes
To function properly, muscles in your esophagus need to stay closed when you are not eating, and open when you are. With acid reflux, stomach contents are allowed to flow up into the esophagus, causing pain and heartburn. One factor that can contribute to acid reflux is excess acid in the stomach, which causes undigested food to create gas that forces open the valve between the esophagus and stomach. Acidic foods may compound the problem. A pH of 7.0 is neutral; a pH less than 7.0 is acidic; a pH level more than 7.0 is alkaline or basic. An alkaline diet to reduce acid ash maintains a pH ratio of between 7.33 and 7.4.
Fruit to Eat
Most fruits are alkaline-producing and will not aggravate acid reflux symptoms. The least acidic fruits include apricots, raisins, cherries, kiwi and berries such as black currents, blackberries and blueberries. Other alkaline ash producing fruits for acid reflux control is apples, peaches, bananas, nectarines and dates. Mayo Clinic Diet Manual 7th edition states that watermelon, dried apricots, dried figs and cantaloupe are the least acidic fruits. The bromelain in fresh pineapple may improve digestion and help reduce the accumulation of excess acid in the stomach. Papain in papaya is an enzyme that also aids in digestion and might neutralize stomach acid.
Fruits to Avoid
In moderation you can consume peaches, low-acid orange juice, apples, peaches, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and. Citrus fruits, and juices made from them, including oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes containing acetic acid will worsen symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn. Tomatoes can also aggravate acid reflux. Cranberries, plums and prunes are very acidic fruits, according to MayoClinic.com.
Time Frame
Eating fruit on an empty stomach may help acid reflux that is burning out your esophagus, says All Voices News. It suggests taking 5,000 I.U. of vitamin A daily, but advises to take caution to prevent toxicity. If you eat fruit with meals, the fruit ferments in your stomach with the fat in food. The fermenting fruit causes your stomach to expand and the resulting gas puts pressure on the valve connecting your stomach and esophagus. Acid reflux may worsen and gradually damage your esophagus leaving burning lesions. Therefore, eating a piece of fruit on an empty stomach, when you have a flare-up of acid reflux, may help.
Considerations
Fresh pineapple is helpful for acid reflux, while canned pineapple or juice may make your acid reflux worse. Some fruits contain natural enzymes so talk to your doctor about a change in diet or increasing fruit to help with digestion before committing to long-term use of drugs. If you are taking any medications, are pregnant or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using natural remedies.
References
- Medical News Today: Alkaline Diet Can Combat The Effects Of Acid Reflux
- Acid Base Tutorial: Acidosis and Alkalosis
- Foods for Alkaline Diets: Alkaline Fruit
- Zimbio: Comprehensive List Of Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux
- Foods to Make Your Diet More Acidic
- AllVoices: Can Eating Certain Fruits on an Empty Stomach Help to Quell Some Acid Reflux Issues?
