Acid reflux, or heartburn, occurs when partially digested foods and stomach acids back up into the esophagus through the lower esophageal sphincter. A constellation of symptoms may occur if you suffer from acid reflux including burning pain in the stomach and chest, bloating, belching, back and shoulder pain, bad breath, coughing and difficulty breathing, especially when lying down. You can take control of your acid reflux by making some dietary changes, including consuming foods that relieve the condition and eliminating foods that aggravate it. Consult your health practitioner before making major dietary changes.
Honey
Honey contains natural enzymes that help with digestion, especially the digestion of starches and carbohydrates. However, not just plain honey will do. The honey must be organic and the purist available, which includes the bee pollen, propolis and royal jelly, all natural parts of whole honey. According to Felicia Drury Kliment in "The Acid Alkaline Balance," although this type of honey may be challenging to find in health food stores, it is so effective at digesting so many foods that it helps alkalize the blood and relieves many symptoms of acid reflux by reducing the acidity of other foods. You can take a spoonful of honey between meals to sweeten an acidic stomach or before bedtime to prevent a flare in acidity during sleep.
Starchy Vegetables
Starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes, yams, plantains and taro root help prevent acid reflux, according to Dr. Theodore Baroody in "Alkalize or Die." These foods are high in nutrients, natural fibers, vitamins and minerals, especially potassium, which contributes to an alkaline-forming state, which helps neutralize stomach acids. Eating starchy vegetables may slightly alter your body's pH, helping to overcome acidosis and preventing the overproduction of stomach acids causing acid reflux.
Licorice Root Tea
Licorice root tea contains mucilage, a compound that stimulates the body to produce a thin film of mucus that coats the digestive tract lining, protecting it from harm from stomach acids, according to the Life Extension website. Licorice root can be made into an herbal tea by either using the dried herb or by using prepared tea bags. It is naturally sweet and should not have additional sweeteners added. Licorice root can raise the blood pressure when used in large quantities over a long period. If you take medicine for hypertension, consult your health practitioner before using licorice root medicinally.
Other Considerations
Using food to help eliminate acid reflux is not one-sided. Adding healing foods to your diet won't do much if you continue to eat foods that aggravate your condition. In particular, foods like coffee, alcohol, sodas, tomatoes, citrus fruits, heavily spiced foods using chili peppers in any form, foods high in fats, fast foods and junk food all contribute to problems with digestion. One of more of these foods or food groups may be the cause of your acid reflux, and by merely not eating that food, you may be able to relieve most of your problems. Speak to your health practitioner or a dietitian to help you plan a diet that eliminates the problem foods and adds the healthy foods for a possible solution to your problems with acid reflux.
References
- LifeExtension.org: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- McKinley Health Center at University of Illinois at urbana-Champaign; The GERD Diet -- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease; April 16, 2008
- "Alkalize or Die"; Dr. Theodore A. Baroody; 1991
- "The Acid Alkaline Balance"; Felicia Drury Kliment; 2002
- "The pH Miracle"; Dr. Robert O. Young and Shelley Redford Young; 2003
