Sunday, December 4, 2011

Foods for Acid Reflux: What Foods to Avoid to Control the Symptoms

Acid Reflux Symptom

Acid reflux commonly known as heartburn is generally caused by the kind of diet and sedentary lifestyle that most people adhere to. It is therefore beneficial to know which foods are the good foods for acid reflux and which ones are not.

Acid Reflux Symptom

People who suffer from this disorder usually experience a backflow of acid from the stomach to the upper gastro-intestinal tract or the esophagus causing pain and discomfort. When too much acidic foods are taken into the body, acid levels in the stomach increase causing a disturbance in the normal digestion process. The increased amount of acids disables the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a valve that keeps the stomach contents in the stomach such that there is a flow of stomach acid up the esophagus causing a painful and burning sensation.

Acid Reflux Symptom

The most primary thing to understand about acid reflux is that it is controllable. By carefully selecting the kind of foods that promote gastro-intestinal health will help control recurring episodes.

Acid Reflux Symptom

Natural Foods for Acid Reflux

Foods that are stomach friendly are basically natural foods that do not contain preservatives, artificial/refined sugars or chemicals. These are un-processed, organic foods which are readily available in the fruit and vegetable section in your favorite grocery store. These are considered to be the best foods for acid reflux, as they are good sources of fiber, an important nutrient that helps quicken the digestion of food and help clean up the digestive tract by absorbing more water along the way and pushing the digested food along its normal course.

There are also other foods that may not be considered natural, but can still be eaten by acid reflux sufferers. These are naturally-processed foods that are also good for the body, but should be eaten in moderate amounts.

Some of the foods in the list below contain fruits and vegetables that contain ample amounts of acids for our stomachs to handle.

Berries Baked or Broiled Fish Cheddar and Mozzarella Cheese Onions Grapes Garlic Bread Garlic Granola Muffins Meats not fried or cooked in oil Peaches Yogurt

Foods To Avoid for Acid Reflux

The second thing that every acid reflux sufferer should know is that certain foods, even naturally-processed foods, contain high amounts of acid. You may be surprised to know that milk and coffee are acidic and some fruits as well like lemon, oranges and raw mangoes. These foods are not necessarily harmful to the body, but when these are taken in an untimely and unhealthy manner, these foods may cause its onset.

So it is great to know what foods you should avoid when suffering from this disorder. Here is a list of foods you should avoid.

Coffee - contains caffeine that tends to secrete gastric acid. Alcohol Beverages - stimulate gastric acid in the stomach Fried foods - slows down digestion because they stay longer in the stomach. Spicy foods - chili, pepper, pepper-containing foods Carbonated Beverages - soda Citrus Fruits - lemon, orange and grapes. (varies from person to person) Milk - if consumed after a heavy meal, this can result in excessive secretion of acid in the stomach. Meat - some meats

Additional Advice

Apart from knowing which foods to eat and which foods to avoid for acid reflux, maintaining regular exercise and healthy lifestyle will help you avoid this ailment long term. Eat small meals regularly and do not overeat. Also it is best to drink several glasses of water every day to neutralize the acidity in your stomach and eliminate unwanted toxins faster.

Foods for Acid Reflux: What Foods to Avoid to Control the Symptoms

Acid Reflux Symptom

No comments:

Post a Comment