Mediterranean diet for acid reflux

Eating fish, vegetables, whole grains and drinking alkaline-heavy water can reduce acid reflux compared to proton pump inhibitors PPIs. Gastric reflux is the movement of stomach contents back up into the esophagus- the reversal of the normal flow.

This is due to a poorly functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter, a ring of muscle at the top of the stomach that normally shuts to stop the contents of the stomach leaking out and up the foodpipe.

The contents are mixed with the hydrochloric acid produced by the stomach lining to aid digestion, so they are highly acidic. As the acidic liquid moves up the esophagus, the result is inflammation, which can be severe and may cause both cramp-like spasm and pain- classic symptoms of reflux.

The diet consisted mostly of fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts and barely any dairy or meat including beef, chicken, fish, eggs and pork. Avoiding triggers of reflux like coffee, tea, alcohol, chocolate, fizzy drinks, fried and spicy food.

Patients on the plant-based diet also lost weight and needed fewer medicines for other conditions, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Patients who ate fish, vegetables and whole grains have greater reduction in symptoms than those on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

Some of the patients treated with a plant-based diet and alkaline water have reduction in their Reflux Symptom Index RSI compared to patients taking PPI's.

The research focused on those with laryngopharyngeal reflux, this same diet regimen has implications to help patients with gastro-esophageal acid reflux- consists of fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts with near complete cessation of dairy and meats including beef, chicken, fish, eggs and pork. This is in addition to standard reflux diet precautions like avoiding coffee, tea, chocolate, soda, greasy and fried food, spicy foods, fatty foods and alcohol.

Plant-based diet approach with alkaline water and standard reflux precautions should either be attempted prior to the use of medication or with the short-term use of medication for more severe needs.
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