Acid reflux occurs when stomach acids are regurgitated back up through the esophagus. It can cause heartburn and a sour taste in the back of the mouth as stomach contents are expelled upward from the digestive system. In its more severe and chronic incarnations, acid reflux is known as GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. GERD sufferers experience such symptoms as difficulty swallowing, coughing and chest pain, according to MayoClinic.com.
Low-Fat Proteins
Fats are hard for the body to digest. They sit in the stomach for a prolonged period, thus widening the window of opportunity during which reflux can occur. The University of Illinois McKinley Health Center says high-fat foods and fried foods hinder the ability of the lower esophageal sphincter to close, thus increasing your vulnerability to acid reflux. In order to fight the symptoms of acid reflux, you may opt for lower-fat sources of protein such as skinless poultry or cold-water varieties of fish.
Decaffeinated and Alcohol-Free Beverages
Two commonly used drugs, caffeine and alcohol, are found in foods and beverages associated with acid reflux. Alcohol relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter and can increase your risk of acid reflux. Caffeine can do the same. Even decaffeinated versions of coffee may cause acid reflux symptoms because of high acid content. Herbal teas, with the exception of mint, are acceptable for most people with acid reflux. Citrus juices should be avoided because of high acidity, and carbonated beverages may increase stomach pressure and exacerbate acid reflux in some people. Low-fat milk is usually a good choice, but avoid chocolate, as it is an irritant.
Nonacidic Foods
"Medical News Today" states most of the American diet consists of foods that contribute to high acid levels in the body when the foods are metabolized, and acid reflux is the result of a highly acidic pH balance in the body. High acid levels, it is claimed, cause the stomach to spasm, creating gas that forces open the lower esophageal sphincter, a valve meant to close off the opening between the stomach and esophagus. The assumption follows that by altering your diet to include more alkaline and less acid-producing foods, you may find relief from GERD.
This view is dismissed as faulty by Columbia University's Go Ask Alice!, which states eating acidic foods cannot cause the stomach to become more acidic, but highly acidic foods like citrus may aggravate the lining of the esophagus if they are regurgitated up from the stomach. Tomatoes are another high-acid fruit, and you may wish to avoid tomato products in order to decrease your acid reflux symptoms.
References
- San Francisco State University: GERD Diet
- Go Ask Alice!: Which foods are acidic?
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Mayo Clinic: Is Acid Reflux the Same as GERD?
- Medical News Today: Alkaline Diet Can Combat The Effects Of Acid Reflux
- University of Illinois McKinley Health Center: The GERD Diet
