ACID REFLUX DIET AND MYTH

Myth: Drink Myth

A lot of people try drinking milk to ease acid reflux before sleep. But often, milk ends up causing acid reflux during sleep.

Drinking milk could be a quick fix to the acid reflux problem. Unfortunately, milk has a rebound action and would eventually encourage secretion of more stomach acid, which causes the acid reflux.

To solve the problem, try adjusting your diet by eating a small meal at dinner and have a small snack such as a fruit before sleep.

Myth 2: Avoid coffee, citrus fruits and Spicy food

We have been told for years that coffee, acidic fruit as well as spicy foods can aggravate acid reflux. Therefore, we should avoid these in our daily diet

A recent study showed that none of these myths hold true. Researchers found that the only two behavioral changes can reduce symptoms of acid reflux.

Eating less and elevate your head while sleeping.

Acid Reflux Diet

Try to eat small, frequent meals instead of three big meals a day.

Small amounts of food each time would exert less workload on the stomach and therefore requires less acid secretion for digestion

Make sure to include foods that are high in complex carbohydrates in each meal. These foods, such as rice, breads and pasta, are able to tie up excess stomach acid and are often easy on the stomach.

Avoid high-fat meals. High fat foods will remain in the stomach longer, thus causing the need for more stomach acid in order to digest them.

Don’t overeat! Eating too much of any foods will stimulate the stomach to secret more acids for digestion.

Avoid or limit alcohol.

Maintain upright position during and at least 45 minutes after eating.

Try elevating the head of bed six to eight inches when lying down.

A lot of beverages stimulate acid secretion such as beer, wine and pop. The worst of all is beer. It could double your stomach acid within an hour.