In general, a diet which contains less fat and more fibre may help with acid reflux [1]. You may also want to try cutting back on carbohydrate intake since sugar and some complex carbohydrate as it may result in excessive bloating. Hence, worsening reflux symptoms. With that said, try taking small meal portions.
Restrict your intake of foods with high-fat content such as:
- fried foods,
- cream,
- ice cream,
- cheeses,
- sausages,
- bacon,
- potato chips,
- etc.
Such foods may delay gastric emptying and decrease the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) pressure.
Refraining from eating too much chocolate and coffee. Both contain methylxanthine, which relaxes the lower oesophageal sphincter pressure. In addition, coffee can induce more acid production in the stomach [2] [3]. This may worsen the sensation of heartburn during regurgitation.
Finally, here are some examples of what you should avoid if your symptoms are bad:
- alcohol,
- peppermint,
- citrus,
- tomatoes, and/or
- carbonated beverages
These foods may irritate your oesophagus directly or worsen your symptoms of gastric reflux.
References:
1. Morozov S, Isakov V, Konovalova M. Fiber-enriched diet helps to control symptoms and improves esophageal motility in patients with non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2018;24(21):2291-2299. doi:10.3748/wjg.v24.i21.2291
2. Boekema PJ, Samsom M, van Berge Henegouwen GP, Smout AJ. Coffee and gastrointestinal function: facts and fiction. A review. Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology Supplement. 1999;230:35-39. doi:10.1080/003655299750025525
3. Liszt KI, Ley JP, Lieder B, et al. Caffeine induces gastric acid secretion via bitter taste signaling in gastric parietal cells. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2017;114(30):E6260-E6269. doi:10.1073/pnas.1703728114
