Manage acid reflux with diet instead of drugs

People all over the world are looking for an alternative medium to treat their health related problems. So, instead of taking help of allopathic medications, more and more people are seeking the help of natural remedies and (better still) food ingredients that we eat every day. Read on to know how changing the dietary habits affect symptoms of acidic reflux.

Given the kind of lifestyle we lead, reflux has become a very common problem among a majority of people. While popping a pill seems to be the most convenient choice, food therapy can also effectively provide relief from this problem.

According to a study published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, a group of researchers found that the Mediterranean diet is as effective as the proton pump inhibitors (PPI) to treat the symptoms of acid reflux. The study was done for the laryngopharyngeal reflux or LPR, in which the digestive enzyme pepsin reaches the sensitive tissues of the upper part of the digestive tract. This rise of pepsin towards the upper gastrointestinal tract or GIT may damage tissues and lead to throat problems as these tissues do not have a strong natural protection against the acids and pepsin enzyme.

In this study, researchers asked the test group to turn to Mediterranean diet, include alkaline water, and avoid coffee, chocolate, tea, soda, spicy and fatty food, and alcohol. After 6 weeks the test group population reported a greater decline in the reflux symptoms. This shows that people can also be treated for their ailments without depending solely on the medications and a plant-based diet is as effective to treat acid reflux.

The researchers also claim that if people with reflux problem are put on a plant based diet with alkaline water, a majority will respond positively and might even stop their dependence on drugs. All of this will definitely lead to a better health as the otherwise safe PPI drugs are also linked to a greater risk of stroke, heart attacks, and early death. This means that the drugs which are considered safe also possess threat and have harmful side effects.

This study did not delve much detail on how the plant based Mediterranean diet and alkaline water calms reflux. But, it is believed that alkaline water neutralizes the acidity of pepsin in the throat and proteins provided in the plant based diet leads to a decreased production of pepsin.

So, these scientists highly recommend a plant based diet for people suffering with LPR since many years and alkaline water can be consumed for an immediate yet temporary relief.