Causes of acid reflux include particular trigger foods that weaken an esophageal muscle, which leads to stomach acid backup. People respond differently to foods and may have their own specific triggers. Fatty foods have been cited as common triggers. Coconut oil has high concentrations of saturated fat, which may result in acid reflux for some people. Oils in general may cause acid reflux and are listed as foods to limit or avoid in some acid reflux diets.
High Fat Content
Meat, poultry and dairy foods may come to mind when you think of saturated fat. However, some plant foods also contain saturated fat, including coconut, coconut oil, cocoa butter, palm oil and palm kernel oil. Coconut oil contains 85 to 90 percent saturated fat, according to ABC Health & Wellbeing, the health website of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Acid Reflux Diet
Avoiding all oils or consuming them only in small amounts helps in an acid reflux diet, according to Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology, which promotes a low-fat diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and grains. Citrus fruits and tomatoes, however, contain acidic properties that may aggravate acid reflux. Fried or creamy vegetables may also increase fat intake to trigger symptoms. Allowable foods with saturated fat in an acid reflux diet include lean meat, skinless poultry, fish and low-fat or nonfat dairy products. You can even have snacks and desserts as long as they have 3 g fat per serving or less.
Food Journal
You may have to test coconut oil yourself to see if it worsens your acid reflux symptoms. Some people can tolerate foods that bother others. Maybe you can enjoy coconut oil without symptoms, whereas someone else can't. Keeping a food journal for a week may help identify foods that cause your symptoms, according to the McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois. Write down the foods you eat, the times of meals and the symptoms you experience to gradually eliminate offending foods from your diet.
Foods and Meals
Acid reflux trigger foods relax an esophageal muscle. The circular muscle normally contracts after food and liquids enter the stomach to prevent acid backup. A relaxed muscle does not contract properly and allows acid reflux to occur. Stomach acid may rise back up into the esophagus, causing the burning sensation of heartburn in your chest and throat. The acid backup may also result in a sour taste in the back of your mouth or throat. Heavy meals also increase the risk of acid reflux by requiring excess acid secretion in the stomach during digestion. When testing coconut oil, make sure it doesn't come with a heavy meal or other ingredients that may cause your symptoms.
