Causes of Gastroesophageal Reflux

GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) is a common condition that leads to heartburn and acid reflux, often triggered by multiple factors.

Excess weight increases abdominal pressure, which can push stomach acid back into the esophagus, contributing to reflux and gastritis.

Poor dietary habits, such as consuming fatty, spicy, or acidic foods, can exacerbate reflux symptoms.

Chronic stress and fatigue reduce digestive enzyme production, leading to digestive disorders and excessive stomach acid secretion.

Unhealthy lifestyle choices, including smoking, excessive coffee or alcohol consumption, eating late at night, and Helicobacter pylori infection, can further aggravate acid reflux.

Drinks That Help Soothe Acid Reflux

1. Warm Water

Staying hydrated is essential for those with stomach issues.

Drinking warm water can relax stomach muscles, ease cramps, and stimulate digestive juices.

Avoid cold or iced water, as it may worsen bloating and heartburn.

2. Fresh Ginger Tea

Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties that help protect the stomach.

Simply steep fresh ginger slices in hot water and drink while warm.

3. Raw Potato Juice

A traditional remedy for soothing acid reflux and aiding ulcer healing.

Drink 100 ml of raw potato juice in the morning for about 20 days for potential relief.

4. Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera contains enzymes and salicylic acid, which help protect the stomach lining, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.

Consuming one spoonful of aloe vera gel before meals may prevent reflux symptoms.

5. Peppermint Tea

Peppermint aids digestion and can be beneficial for some individuals in preventing acid reflux.

Drink warm peppermint tea after meals, but start with a small amount to see if it suits your body, as it may not be effective for everyone.

Conclusion

By addressing reflux triggers and incorporating stomach-friendly beverages, you can better manage gastroesophageal reflux and improve digestive health.

Foods That Cause Acid Reflux

If you’re experiencing symptoms of acid reflux, it’s time to cut back on certain foods in your diet. This article explains what causes acid reflux, how to control it, and lifestyle changes that can help.

What is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux, or heartburn or dyspepsia, is one of the most common digestive complaints. Symptoms range from mild pain to a burning sensation in the middle of the chest that can travel up to the throat. In addition, some people complain of unpleasant mouth taste and bad breath.

Reflux occurs when acidic stomach contents back up into the esophagus. If this happens often, it can cause damage and inflammation in the esophagus and, in severe cases, lead to more serious conditions, such as Barrett’s esophagus, a pre-cancerous condition that affects the lining of the esophagus.

How Do You Know Which Foods Trigger Reflux?

Figuring out which foods cause reflux can be tricky, as there’s still some debate about which ones are the worst. Keeping a food diary is helpful because it helps you understand your habits and make changes. It also helps you identify more clearly which foods trigger your symptoms or the times of day when they’re most likely to occur.

How to get started:

1. Write down what, when, and how you ate – include everything from meals and snacks to caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and juices.

2. Be as accurate as possible – it’s better to write it down in real time than to try to remember it later.

3. Include details about how the food was prepared and cooked (e.g., boiled, grilled, fried, etc.).

4. Write down the circumstances under which you ate – were you stressed or relaxed? Did you eat quickly or calmly, sitting at the table?

5. Record your symptoms, when they occurred, and how long they lasted.

6. If you take medications or supplements, include them in the diary, as well as the time they were taken.

7. Keep a journal every day for at least two weeks, including weekends.

8. After two weeks, review your diary to identify patterns – these may be linked to your lifestyle or certain foods. This diary will reveal a lot and is a good idea to take with you to your doctor or nutritionist.

What Are The Most Common Foods that Trigger Acid Reflux?

Here are 8 of the most likely triggers, why they’re harmful, and what you can choose instead.

1. Fats and Fatty Foods

It takes longer to digest, resulting in the production of more digestive juices.

What to try instead: Cut back on fatty foods like fried foods, chips, pizza, pastries, and pies. Trim visible fat from meats, use cooking spray, and grill, bake, steam, or boil instead of fry.

2. Coffee, Chocolate, and Cocoa

Contains compounds such as caffeine, which worsen symptoms, especially for sensitive people.

What to try instead: Switch to decaf alternatives and cut back on chocolate and cocoa.

3. Alcohol, including Beer and Wine

Alcoholic beverages relax the sphincter muscle that controls the opening between the stomach and esophagus, and symptoms typically occur within the first hour after consumption.

What to try instead: Opt for low- or no-alcohol options.

4. Tomatoes and Tomato-based Meals

They contain malic and citric acid, which will increase stomach acidity.

What to try instead: Cut back on tomatoes and use an alternative vegetable sauce for pasta or a green pesto sauce for pizza.

5. Spicy Meals

Spices irritate the lining of the esophagus.

What to try instead: Avoid cayenne pepper and opt for ginger or cinnamon. Keep a food diary to assess your tolerance.

6. Garlic and Onions

Stimulate the production of gastric acid.

What to do instead: See if you tolerate cooked onions or milder onions, like red onions, better.

7. Citrus Fruits and Citrus Juice

They contain citric acid, and their low pH aggravates reflux symptoms.

What to try instead: Choose alternatives like cantaloupe, papaya, or banana. Riper citrus fruits have lower acidity levels.

8. Carbonated Drinks

They cause bloating, put pressure on the muscle that controls the esophagus, and may contain caffeine.

What to try instead: Water, herbal teas, or diluted juices.