Heartburn is prevalent nowadays, and people of diverse age groups are coping with it every day. This is mainly because of our bad eating habits, we skip healthy vegetables for salty & smoked food, fruit juices for sweetened beverages, and have meals lacking in vitamins & minerals.
Heartburn is a condition when the acid in the stomach backflows up to the chest, in the food pipe and people experience the burning sensation.
According to the recent figure released by the American College of Gastroenterology, about 60 million Americans feel the chest burning sensation at least once in a month, and at least 15 million on a daily basis.
Heartburn is quite prevalent in western countries, affecting about 20 to 30% of the population. The lifestyle risk factors of heartburn include smoking and obesity.
So, overweight individuals or smokers have higher chances of struggling with acid reflux frequently. The food we eat affects the acid produced by the stomach, therefore, having a proper diet plan, staying away from unhealthy fast food can save you from the chronic problem.
Here, Are the Foods That Help in Lowering the Symptoms of Heartburn: –
Burning in the chest happens when the acid in the stomach flows in the backward direction and comes in contact with the esophagus leading to heartburn. If your stomach is producing too much acid, you can add the below-mentioned foods to manage your acid reflux.
However, you need to know that none of these magical foods are going to treat the heartburn problem, it is only going to reduce the symptoms you are experiencing.
Veggies
Add veggies to your meal plate, they are low in sugar and fat content, therefore, helps in reducing the production of acid in the stomach. The vegetables you can include leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, and cucumbers.
Ginger
Another name in the list of foods that significantly lowers the symptoms of heartburn is ginger. This flowering plant with numerous anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural cure to heartburn. You can add a few slices of ginger to your favorite drink or your dinner recipe to ease the symptoms.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a fiber-rich grain, which is a healthy morning meal. A diet rich in fiber is linked to easing the symptoms of acid reflux. Other fiber options include the whole-grain rice and pieces of bread.
Fruits
Another way to get relief with acid reflux is by including non-citrus fruits to your everyday routine. These fruits include apples, bananas, melons. They will reduce the reflux symptoms compared to the citrus fruits.
Seafood and Meat
Lean meats such as fish, chicken, & turkey, and seafood, low in fat content plays a pivotal role in reducing heartburn symptoms in the long run. Have them baked, poached or broiled, rather than dipped in a spicy curry.
Egg
Another food you need to include in your meal plate if you frequently suffer from heartburn is the egg whites. However, you must avoid the egg yolks, as they are rich in fat, therefore, may further trigger acid reflux symptoms.
Healthy Fats
The different sources of healthy fats include sunflower oil, avocados, olive oil, walnuts, and flaxseed. Also, reduce the intake of trans and saturated fats, and replace them with these healthier fats.
Are Heartburn Medicines Tied To Stomach Cancer?
Nowadays, there is a lot of debate going on around the Proton pump Inhibitors (heartburn drugs) to suppress the production of acid in the stomach to reduce acid reflux is being linked to the increase of stomach cancers around the globe.
“Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are an important treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection and have good safety records for short-term use,” said researcher Ian Wong from University College London. “However, unnecessary long-term use should be avoided.”
Even, the FDA has released an advisory for people to avoid the frequent use of heartburn medicines containing Ranitidine, which has traces of cancer-causing chemicals, N-nitrosodimethylamine.
This also has sparked a series of heartburn medicine lawsuits filed worldwide by people diagnosed with gastric cancer and believed that their heartburn drug caused it. Of all such controversial drugs, a growing number of people have filed for Zantac cancer lawsuits drawing more attention towards the gravity of the situation.
Final Words
Apart from adding nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to your diet, you’ve to make the necessary lifestyle tweaks such as maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking and alcohol.