GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a severe and chronic form of acid reflux that is characterized by heartburn or related digestive discomfort that occurs at least twice weekly. According to MayoClinic.com, people with GERD have a lower esophageal sphincter muscle that is weak or relaxes abnormally to allow stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. Oily and fatty foods, including olive oil, often act as "trigger foods" for GERD patients.
GERD Diet
GERD patients are able to form a diet from the five main food groups: grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy products and proteins. Some foods aggravate GERD symptoms more than others, however. Chief among the offenders are fatty foods, fried foods, spicy dishes and creamy foods. Specifically, foods such as mint, whole milk, tomatoes, citrus fruits, processed meats, chocolate and coffee may worsen acid reflux or chronic heartburn.
Fats and Oils
According to the Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology clinic website, GERD sufferers should avoid all animal- and vegetable-based oils, including olive oil. Small amounts are permitted, but even moderate servings of oil can worsen GERD for many patients.
Types
The type of olive oil you eat while following a GERD diet may have some impact on the severity of your symptoms. Specifically, olive oils with greater acidity percentages may aggravate reflux and heartburn more than oils with low acid contents. Cookbook author and culinary historian Linda Stradley, who runs WhatsCookingAmerica.net, says that refined olive oil has an acid level higher than 3.3 percent, for example, and virgin olive oil has a level higher than 1.5 percent. Extra virgin olive oil is the least acidic, with a level of less than 1 percent.
Factors
Due to factors such as physiological differences, acid reflux severity, diet specifics and body size, olive oil can serve as a trigger food to some GERD patients but not to others. According to internal medicine specialist Dr. John T. Deane, oils and fats do have the potential to soothe the esophagus and stomach. However, they also tend to decrease tone in the lower esophageal sphincter muscle and encourage it to relax, worsening existing GERD symptoms. For that reason, it can be effective to avoid olive oil altogether or take over-the-counter or prescription acid blockers before you eat oily and fatty foods.
Considerations
If you're following a strict GERD diet or avoiding certain foods because of GERD-related symptoms, speak with your doctor before changing your eating plan. It can also be helpful to keep a food journal if you want to add olive oil to your diet. Record when you eat it, how much of it you have and how it affects you so that you know whether your body will be able to handle it successfully or not.
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