Diet For GERD Patients: How The Food Works

We all suffer from heartburn or, say, acidity sometimes. An unhealthy lifestyle or food habits is a primary reason for it. But alarmingly, more than 20% of the total population is suffering from a long term condition, named Gastro-esophageal-reflux disorder or GERD. This condition is caused by the retrograde reflux of the acidic stomach contents back to the lower esophagus (food tube).  With time the symptoms may worsen if it’s not treated on time properly and decorate to cancers or Barrett esophagus (the lining epithelium changes and causes further inflammation and swallowing).

Doctors and researchers have been treating this condition with appropriate drugs ever since. But they always promote the fact that moderating lifestyles may solve more than two-thirds of GERD cases alone. Because some foods aggravate, and some relieve the กรดไหลย้อน (reflux) symptoms. So let’s get to know something about both types to be careful about digestive health.

Food That Aggravates GERD Symptoms 

Acidic and less-fiber foods usually induce and aggravate GERD. Such as junk foods ( pizza, pasta, extra cheese, deep-fried foods), extra oily food, wine, potato chips, or processed/tinned snacks of any kind. Chilli flakes or black pepper used for topping, fatty, and spicy foods are also wrong for GERD people. In existing cases, these foods may initiate the development of GERD symptoms in a currently healthy person. Carbonated beverage items are usually said to reduce acidity, but in GERD, it acts differently. Your favorite chocolate and spicy tomato sauce are also in the list. So be careful next time to spread sauce on your Mcdonald burger. 

Some habits are responsible for worsening the condition, Like smoking. The nicotine present in cigarettes or any other tobacco derivative product is highly accountable for disrupting the stomach and esophagus’ lining mucosa. Not only digestive but smoking is responsible for most respiratory diseases also.

Lack of exercise, obesity, stressful lifestyle, pregnancy, specific drug ingestion, or therapy may induce or worsen GERD conditions. The last-mentioned factors may not be associated with a bad food habit or hygiene. So if you are facing the problem for a long time now, consult your doctor soon. Not only the medicine, but you also need a specialist’s advice to customize your chart.

As some foods aggravate GERD, a lot of items may help with the acid reflux. So let’s get to know about some helpful diet options.

Foods For Patients With GERD

Whole grains and full-fiber vegetables are the best in diet moderation to prevent heartburn. Vegetables are alkaline that helps to neutralize the extra acid in the stomach: banana, Melon. Fennel and Nuts are some fruits to help here. You can eat root vegetables such as potato, carrots, and leafy veggies are the best regular meals.

Water is the fluid of life. It helps to detoxify the body as well as prevent acid reflux. So bland foods and fruits like watermelon, cucumber, celery, and lettuce are great options to maintain good health.

Some Home Remedies Are Useful To Reduce The Symptoms of GERD.

Milk is the commonest among all home tricks. There are full fat, non-fat, and 2% fat available in the market. Usually, the whole fat milk aggravates the symptoms. But the non-fat milk acts as the buffer in the stomach. Milk products, especially yogurt, reduce the pain immediately. It has beneficial bacteria’s to improve digestive health. 

Ginger is known for its medicinal value and anti-inflammatory properties. So sip a cup of ginger tea in case of heartburns. 

So follow a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet to suppress GERD. In any case of inconvenience, contact your doctor.