Following a specialized diet for people with acid reflux can be a real life-changer for you. This plan only requires you to include several specific products that will help alleviate heartburn, like vegetables, ginger, and egg whites. You’ll also need to avoid ‘triggering’ foods. But that shouldn’t be hard as this basically follows the rules of any healthy diet.
Diet for People with Acid Reflux: Foods to Eat Regularly
- Ginger.
Due to its potent anti-inflammatory effect, ginger is an effective natural remedy against not only heartburn. It also helps fight indigestion, nausea, and some other digestive issues. - Oatmeal.
Fiber in oatmeal effectively absorbs stomach acid, which helps prevent heartburn and offers some relief in severe cases. Note that you should use only low-fat milk with your oatmeal as fat dairy products increase the risk of acid reflux. - Apple cider vinegar.
Natural digestive system treatment is one of the most common uses of apple cider vinegar. In the case of acid reflux, it helps ‘neutralize’ the acid, thus relieving the unpleasant symptoms. Take it about 5-10 minutes before eating to achieve the best results. - Fermented foods.
Fermented foods, like yogurt, kefir, and kombucha, contain probiotics, which help restore stomach health. It’s not a 100% guarantee of curing acid reflux. However, having your digestive system perform at full-strength will make treating the condition easier. Taking probiotic supplements, like Pro-Biotic 30 or Ultra 60 Probiotic will be even more effective. Do this if your bout of acid reflux occurs after taking antibiotics or suffering through some lengthy disease. - Coconut oil.
Healthy fats are responsible for the benefits of coconut oil for your digestive system. Its antibacterial properties also help alleviate acid reflux in particular. You should both substitute less healthy cooking oils with it and take Coconut Oil supplement for better results.
Studies indicate that it’s not only the types of food you consume that can help alleviate and manage acid reflux. Your eating schedule also matters. Eating 5-6 small meals a day instead of three big reduces the occurrence of heartburn. Researchers say that it’s especially important to break down a big dinner into two smaller meals. Eating a lot before going to bed is a major risk factor for GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease).
Diet for People with Acid Reflux: Foods to Avoid
- Peppermint tea
- Citrus fruits
- Chocolate
- Tomatoes
- Alcohol
- Spicy foods (garlic & onion included)
- Processed meats
All these foods, except peppermint tea, are likely to trigger heartburn because they are spicy, fat, or acidic. Sometimes, consuming them in small amounts might be safe. However, if your stomach is very sensitive, it’s best to avoid them altogether.
Peppermint is a bit more complex, because in some cases, this tea can help solve digestive issues. However, this study shows daily consumption of peppermint drinks is a risk factor for acid reflux. The matter requires more detailed research, but if you are prone to digestive system problems, be careful with this herb.
Natural Acid Reflux Treatment: Other Considerations
Acid reflux is one of the most common digestive system illnesses. It’s estimated that roughly 20% of the US population suffer from this condition. Although originally believed that the problem is literally caused by stomach acid, some studies today show that acid reflux might be triggered by immunity. The matter is still unclear, so this knowledge can’t really be used for more efficient treatment of the disease.
Due to its sporadic nature, GERD rarely requires taking medications for a long period of time. In most cases, avoiding your ‘triggers’ and following a healthy diet for people with acid reflux will be enough to manage the condition.
However, if your heartburn attacks are frequent, you can try taking supplements to help control them. Try Apple Cider Vinegar, Candida Complex, or Digestive Enzymes, depending on your personal health condition and needs.
