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The stomach has acids which are present there as a result of the digestive process. When these digestive juices get thrown back into the esophagus because of some problem within, then the stomach faces a lot of discomfort and pain. This is called a heartburn. The esophagus is the connecting tube between the stomach and the throat. Acid reflux affects this passage due to some internal problem and majorly due to the kind of food taken in by the person. When the person consumes acidic substances in excess, the stomach throws back the excess acids through the esophagus. This causes a burning sensation in the chest. Thus the best way to avoid this reflux mechanism is to lessen the acid content. That is done only by having the right kind of diet. A healthy and nutritious diet keeps the acid level in check.
Foods to Avoid With Acid Reflux
There are many foods which are responsible for the acid reflux within. It is important for the person to know about which foods to avoid with acid reflux and what is the natural remedy for GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease).These include:
- Coffee: Caffeine secretes gastric acid. This causes indigestion in people who are prone to getting an acid attack.
- Alcohol: Alcohol stimulates the gastric acid and results in a burning sensation in the chest. Thus alcohol consumption is one of the foods to avoid with acid reflux.
- Fried food and fatty foods: The fatty content in these kinds of food result in slowing down the digestion of food. These remain in the stomach and exert a kind of pressure on the stomach. This results in the stomach having a reflux action and this pushes the food towards the mouth. Since the contents are acidic, the resultant effect is an acid reflux.
- Spicy foods: Spices like pepper, chilli and other spicy foods tend to increase the acid reflux.
- Carbonated beverages: It is not good to have aerated water during a time when the person is having acidity. This is because these beverages again cause a pressure inside, and increase the pressure inside the stomach. The stomach in reaction lets out an acid reflux.
- Citrus fruits: Sometimes some people react badly to citrus fruits like lemon, orange and grapes. But this reaction varies from person to person. Easily digestible fruits like pineapple, papaya or apple are good at such times and are a natural remedy for GERD.
- Drinking milk: Sometimes the habit of drinking a glass of milk before going to bed, results in acidity and thus milk comes under the foods to avoid with acid reflux.
- Meat: Meat is certainly not a natural remedy for GERD. Meat with a lot of food is one of the foods to avoid with acid reflux.
Besides knowing which foods to avoid with acid reflux, it is also good to have regular exercise as this helps to lose weight and have a better healthier life. Following things could help in avoiding an acid reflux attack:
- Not to overeat
- To have small meals at regular intervals
- Not to lie down after having meals.
Acid reflux is a result of excess acids in the stomach being thrown out into the esophagus. This action results in a lot of indigestion, heartburn and discomfort. The following tips could be a good and natural remedy for GERD:
- Avoiding large meals: It is advisable to eat six small meals a day rather than eat three big meals. Thus more than being aware of the foods to avoid with acid reflux, if the person subjects himself to a regular routine of six small meals, he would be benefitted with a good digestive system.
- Not to drink anything before going to bed: It is a good practice to finish dinner two hours before going to bed. It is also a healthy habit not to drink anything two hours before going to bed. This relaxes the stomach and the person doesn’t feel full. Otherwise the sphincter muscles in the stomach get pressed harder by the food we consume, and result in an acid reflux. This leads to a lot of discomfort.
- Sleeping posture: It has been observed that when the head is higher than the stomach then the gravity helps to ease the pressure on the stomach. Thus a proper sleeping posture with the head and shoulder on an incline is a natural remedy for GERD.
