What Foods Help Reduce Acid Reflux Symptoms?

What Foods Help Reduce Acid Reflux Symptoms?
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Acid Reflux, also known as Gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD, is a disease which plagues millions of people each year. Basically, the liquid contents found in the stomach flow back up, or refluxes, into the esophagus. Fortunately, it can be controlled naturally and eventually, with proper diet and nutrition, overcome completely. So, what foods are best to reduce acid reflux? Read on for foods to eat and foods to avoid.

Foods That Irritate and Cause Reflux

Children, as well as adults, can suffer with acid reflux disease. Some of the culprits that irritate the condition include: Coffee, tea, chocolate, citrus products, spicy foods, carbonated beverages, fried foods, alcohol, cigarettes, peppermint, vinegar, mustard and overeating in general. Those suffering with GERD have to determine what other foods might be irritating their condition and add them to the list of foods (and drinks) to avoid. For some, dairy products can cause additional discomfort; for others, anything with tomatoes or white flour can irritate the condition. Food allergies may also be a problem.

Ways to Fight Reflux

Besides changing your diet to exclude the foods that are irritating the condition, consider adding the following to your diet:

  • More fruits including pineapples, grapefruit, and papaya.

  • As for teas that help, consider chicory root, marshmallow, chamomile and fennel teas. Although peppermint and mint teas are generally irritating to GERD, these teas are known to actually help digestion. Try them and see if they help or irritate your particular body and proceed accordingly.

Over-the-counter Products for Indigestion

There are many products sold in the drugstore that help relieve immediate symptoms related to GERD and other digestive problems. Although these products can be helpful for the short-term, they are not recommended to be over used. These products include TUMS, Rolaids, Pepcid AC, Zantac, and many others. Use sparingly, is the advice from most doctors.

The natural method of fighting GERD is the best way to go. Not only will you relieve symptoms but by getting to the root of the problem, you can eventually overcome GERD and other digestive problems. It is recommended that you talk to your doctor, preferably a Naturopath doctor, to avoid being given prescriptions and synthetic drugs. This should be the very last resort, not the first. Any good doctor will tell you the same.

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