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The acidity plague has now hit everywhere; our friends, the people in our close circle, and our neighborhoods talk about it constantly. In addition to this, we call it acid reflux, and at a long-term level, it can trigger severe health issues like Barrett’s Esophagus, esophagitis, and stomach ulcers.
It has been the most urgent topic for each of us to settle and worry about. Nevertheless, GERD experts speculate that the population affected by chronic reflux increased from 1990 to 2019 and has a growth rate of 77% from 53%.
1. What does Chronic Acid Reflux Mean?
Acid reflux is a physical condition that questions the increased level of acid in the stomach and permits the acid to run up backward to the esophagus repeatedly. It also causes heartburn. People begin to feel angry because a continuous flow of acid burns their throat and mouth, causing body pain and discomfort.
Acid reflux is caused randomly, say once or twice in 3-4 months, and is normal. It is not a serious issue and usually goes away in a week. However, if its frequency is higher, such as twice or thrice a week, then it is a case of chronic acid reflux(GERD). As a result, it requires medical attention because if left untreated, it might turn into a life-threatening disease.
2. Factors Resulting in Acid Reflux
The causes of acid reflux can be classified into various risk factors related to unhealthy eating habits, an inactive lifestyle, smoking, excessive use of alcohol, and having an increased BMI(obesity).
To begin with, what we decide to eat is the most important contributor to promoting good health and preventing acid reflux. Food plays a crucial role in our lives, which in turn shows that we need to consume a diet that is well-balanced and full of all the nutrients and vitamins necessary for the body.
3. Worst Foods Causing Chronic Acid Reflux
Individuals found to have such trouble are more likely to consume processed, highly acidic, or spicy foods, which often results in worsening health. Consuming highly acidic foods disrupts the pH level of the stomach, thereby causing intense pain and discomfort.
Thus, to get out of a situation like this, the following are the foods one must have in very small or moderate quantities to manage chronic acid reflux.
3.1 Spicy Foods
It is advisable to steer clear of hot foods or keep the essence of the heat minimal when feeling pain from acid. For example, these might be bell peppers, kimchi, hot sauces, wasabi, chili paprika, tabasco, and other seasonings through which people add a spicy flavor to their food. These foods are all harmful when the ongoing chest and stomach pains accompany them.
3.2 Processed Foods
Eating freshly cut fruits and vegetables is advised rather than consuming frozen or canned foods, which are bad for health as they contain chemicals used to preserve these foods for a longer time. These include frozen blueberries, jams, and ice cream, with more fat content that takes time to digest. Hence, these foods put more pressure on the stomach to break down and dissolve in the body.
3.3 Citrus Fruits
Fruits such as lemons, limes, grapes, pineapples, and oranges are highly acidic with a very low pH level. As a result, these fruits produce a large amount of acid in the stomach, causing burning and discomfort with constant acid flow back into the esophageal lining. Also, these fruits should be eaten in very low quantities if suffering from chronic acid reflux and kept hydrated to maintain the body’s pH level.
3.4 Fried and Fast Foods
For instance, deep-fried dishes like fries, fried chicken, potato chips, and noodles have saturated fats that are a source of health risks to the body. The stomach acid content increases, which results in acid reflux and bloating. Furthermore, these foods are a source of overeating and obesity; thus, weight is also a factor that contributes to acid reflux.
3.5 Caffeinated Drinks
The intake of extra caffeine increases the acid level in the body, which in turn makes the acid in the stomach reach back to the mouth. Thus, when the esophageal muscles relax, this leads to a kind of chemical reaction (acid reflux). A few caffeine items to be avoided are coffee, Coke, and many other brands of energy drinks.
3.6 Milk Products
High-fat dairy products like cottage cheese, heavy cream, and cheese tend to intensify acidity. The milk products that we enjoy the most are likely to be the ones that turn out to be unhealthy for us. To name a few, there is soy milk, skim milk, and almond milk, which are alkaline and help neutralize the excess acid in the stomach, thus relieving heartburn.
3.7 Chocolates
Chocolates have acidic ingredients such as caffeine and cocoa powder. They increase the acidity in the stomach. Caffeine causes LES to relax, and acid flows upward through the esophagus, causing irritability and muscle damage. Therefore, people suffering from GERD should consume a moderate quantity of chocolates.
3.8 Alcohol
Drinking alcohol is almost always dangerous for people with GERD or acid reflux. This is because ethanol relaxes the muscle, affecting the lower end of the esophagus aggressively and causing damage.
4. Take Away
Shortly, some changes in diet eliminate acid reflux and help lead a peaceful life. This works because having less spicy, acidic, and other fatty foods while maintaining a balanced diet can do wonders for a person physically and mentally.
Last Updated on by AnoushkaRoy
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