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Heartburn is one of the more common digestive complaints out there. According to the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), over 60 million Americans have to deal with the debilitating effects of heartburn at least once a month. If you’ve never experienced heartburn, it is described as a burning sensation that spreads in the chest area, hence the term “heartburn”. What many people don’t know is that heartburn is often associated with conditions like acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), whose symptoms include a bloated stomach. Thankfully, there are dietary measures you can take to help relieve the burning feeling associated with these conditions.
According to Maria Bella, a registered dietitian and founder of Top Balance Nutrition, acid reflux is a condition that occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus. This can irritate the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. A ring of muscle fibers at the bottom of the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) normally blocks food from going back up. However, if the LES doesn’t close properly, the contents of the stomach may leak back into the esophagus, causing acid reflux.
Other than heartburn, the symptoms of this digestive condition include:
If symptoms of acid reflux persist, consult your physician to find out if you have GERD.
One of the best ways to deal with acid reflux and GERD is to make positive dietary changes. Heartburn, in particular, is often triggered by foods and beverages. While trigger foods vary from person to person, the list below enumerates common triggers that you should put more effort into avoiding to prevent heartburn:
According to Jaclyn London, Good Housekeeping Institute’s Nutrition Director, you can prevent and manage the discomforting effects of heartburn and acid reflux by eating healthy foods. London suggests adopting a diet rich in fruits and vegetables to manage your condition. Vegetables, in particular, are low in fat and sugar, which could help reduce stomach acid.
Here are other foods you can add to your diet to get relief from acid reflux or GERD:
Making dietary changes and eating more healthy foods are good home remedies for acid reflux and GERD symptoms.
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