Diet and Gastroesophageal Reflux 🆙

Gastroesophageal reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux is a very common disorder characterized by symptoms such as heartburn, acidity and regurgitation. It is basically caused by an involuntary ascent of the gastric contents along the esophagus. If this ascent is particularly intense and frequent, we can speak in all respects of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Especially in the milder forms this pathology is often treated with a little lightness given that the use of self-medication is widespread among patients. Both for those who decide to face it with their own means, and for those who go to a doctor, the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux cannot be separated from the adoption of a correct diet and lifestyle.

Role of Diet and Lifestyle

A moderate eating style is important for both preventing and treating gastroesophageal reflux disease.

FIRST RULE: EAT SLOWLY

The first digestion, as we know, takes place in the mouth and this is true not only because saliva contains a chemical substance with digestive properties, but also because the grinding of food during chewing facilitates gastric activity. Eating a sandwich hastily and swallowing whole bites promotes reflux as it lengthens the time the food remains in the stomach. For this reason it is essential that chewing is very slow and that the diet includes four or five small meals rather than one or two large daily binges.

Foods to Avoid

One of the first thoughts to arise in the mind of a person complaining of a certain heartburn concerns the type of food ingested during the last meal. In this regard, it is necessary to distinguish two different types of foods which, if present in the diet, can promote gastroesophageal reflux:

foods that delay stomach emptying by increasing the chances of acid juice rising. As we have seen, in order to avoid reflux it is important that the stomach empties quickly. Consequently, in the presence of this pathology, the diet must be low in all those foods that increase the permanence of food in the stomach (for example foods rich in fats such as aged cheeses, chocolate, sausages and fried foods).
Fizzy drinks and the habit of chewing gum directly or indirectly increase the amount of air present in the gastric pouch. The presence of these gases increases the pressure inside the stomach, favoring the ascent upwards of the gastric contents.
Foods that have intrinsic irritating characteristics (white wine, vinegar, spirits, spirits, tomato or citrus juice). These foods, to which tea, coffee, cocoa and the foods or drinks that contain them must also be added, promote acid production in the stomach

WHAT DOES GASTRO-ESOPHAGEAL REFLUX FAVORITE?	KEEP REFLUX UNDER CONTROL WITH DIET
Large meals, foods rich in fat, especially if cooked, fried or fried, obesity and overweight. Some special foods such as coffee, tea, mint, alcohol, chocolate. In the presence of reflux disease in addition to taking care of your diet it is very important to abolish smoking.	Avoid meals that are too large, especially in the evening Avoid overdoing fatty foods, alcohol and coffee Avoid going to bed immediately after eating. A walk can help Avoid those movements that increase abdominal pressure (push-ups) and clothing that is too tight Raise the headboard of the bed 10-15 cm during the night's rest

Further Advice

DRINK MORE

Saliva and liquids protect the esophageal muscles from gastric juices; it can therefore be useful to drink more, especially between meals

STOP SMOKING

Smoking promotes reflux, increases gastric acidity and makes the stomach walls more susceptible to acid attacks

DO NOT ABUSE SOME DRUGS

Such as NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, some sedatives and tranquilizers, etc.). In any case, it is advisable to communicate their use to the doctor, in order to check their compatibility with the disease and find, if necessary, healthier alternatives.

WHAT ABOUT MILK?

Milk, being an alkaline food, has an immediate positive effect as its basicity counteracts (buffers) the acidity of reflux. Milk, especially whole milk, however, is also rich in fats and proteins which increase gastric acidity and slow down stomach emptying.

Milk therefore has a beneficial effect immediately but, especially if you overdo the quantities, after the initial relief it can cause a quick reappearance of symptoms.

OVERWEIGHT

The increase in intra-abdominal pressure, pressing against the walls of the stomach, favors the ascent of the gastric contents. This pressure can increase in absolutely physiological situations such as pregnancy or in the case of obesity and overweight.

WHAT ABOUT STRESS?

Especially in recent years, a bit like the mother of all ills, when it comes to diseases of the digestive system, stress is always called into question. In the presence of gastroesophageal reflux this hypothesis should not be excluded since anxiety and restrained anger can, for example, exacerbate the typical symptoms of the disease. On the other hand, it is very unlikely that stress is the direct cause of the onset of reflux.

AND AT NIGHT?

Heartburn at night is particularly annoying as it tends to last a long time. This burning is often caused by an incontinence of the cardial valve which favors the ascent of the acids in the esophagus where they remain for a long time irritating the mucous membranes. In addition to the diet, it may be useful in these cases to place a rise under the mattress to ensure that the force of gravity hinders the rise of acids.

Example diet for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease