Arsip Mailing List Dokter Umum: [Dokter Umum] Acid Reflux

What acid reflux food should I avoid?
This is a question most gastroesophageal reflux disease sufferers struggle
upon. Promoting healthy nutrition that is based on avoiding certain foods while
increasing the intake of others has the potential to confer significant
long-term health benefits among acid reflux sufferers. Lifestyle and dietary
alterations are considered to be an integral and inseparable part of any
long-term holistic GERD treatment.

The foods we consume play an important role when it comes to keeping our body's
delicate natural inner balance. Since certain foods and dietary habits have
been found to directly and indirectly promote the aggravation of acid reflux,
avoiding those foods and adopting specific dietary habits for optimal digestion
while suffering from acid reflux could have a tremendously positive effect on
your existing medical condition. The following are examples of these types of
foods:

1. Coffee and other caffeine containing beverages lead to increased acidity, so
avoid large amounts of coffee. Try to limit your daily coffee consumption to
two cups or less. It possible, split your coffee cup into two half cups, and
reduce coffee drinking before the bedtime.

2. Alcohol can irritate the stomach and relax the LES muscle, leading to
increased acidity and reflux.

3. High-fat foods are among the biggest culprits behind GERD symptoms. They
take longer to digest and not easily eliminated out of body, thus increasing
the chances acid will splash up into your esophagus. The only exceptions are
omega-3 fatty acids from fish and fish oil, which are in fact powerful
anti-inflammatory agents.

4. Chocolate contains a great deal of caffeine and fat. This may increase
acidity and worsen digestion and hence should be avoided. If you are a devoted
chocolate enthusiast, go for dark, organic varieties, and eat no more then two
to three tiny squares two to three times per week.

5. Milk and milk-based products that contain a big proportion of calcium should
also be avoided before bedtime.

6. Peppermint, spearmint and other mints can worsen acid reflux symptoms. Avoid
foods that contain strong mints, including mint-based herbal teas.

7. Acidic foods (such as oranges and tomatoes) and cruciferous vegetables
(onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, brussels sprouts) promote the
opening of the esophageal sphincter, thus increasing acid reflux.

So what acid reflux food should you avoid? With these dietary changes and a
healthy motivation to alter your lifestyle, you can be on your way to
overcoming gastroesophageal reflux disease and improving the quality of your
life and well-being. Whatever your medical condition is, when you finally
decide to improve your quality of life, you can literally choose to cure GERD
and prevent its recurrence, by adopting the holistic approach. You will have
the power to make it happen

Jeff Martin

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