Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition where the stomach acid flows back up to the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to stomach) due to an incompetent esophageal sphincter and/or increased gastric acid production. This will result in:
- a burning sensation in your chest (commonly known as heart burn)
- an unpleasant sour taste of acid in your mouth
- bloating
- injury to the esophagus leading to pain and difficulty in swallowing
Certain food (as shown below) are known to trigger or worsen the symptoms of GERD. Hence, for individuals who are prone to GERD, having a personal food diary that keeps track of the food that can trigger your condition is beneficial. Avoiding these food can help to minimize the discomforting symptoms and will significantly improve your quality of life.
It is worth noting that dietary modifications may help to minimize symptoms but should NOT substitute a prescribed treatment for GERD. More often than not, a multi-faceted approach encompassing proper lifestyle and dietary modifications in combination with the prescribed medications is most effective in GERD management.
References
- Jarosz, M., & Taraszewska, A. (2014). Risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease: the role of diet. Prz Gastroenterol9(5): 297–301.
- Kubo al. (2014). Dietary guideline adherence for gastroesophageal reflux disease. BMC Gastroenterology 14(144).
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults/eating-diet-nutrition
- https://aboutgerd.org/diet-lifestyle-changes/diet-changes-for-gerd.html
In collaboration with Dosing Health
