Foods to Avoid With GERD

It appears that we’re not the only country whose population is seeing an increase in problems with heartburn, or GERD. By looking at study surveys, researchers at Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, compared 3,153 individuals who reported problems with severe heartburn or regurgitation to 40,210 people without GERD symptoms. They uncovered several risk factors that have been largely ignored thus far in this country.

The general advice in the U.S. is to avoid spicy foods, don’t eat late meals, and don’t drink alcohol in the evening. In Norway, they discovered that individuals who routinely added salt to their meals had almost twice the risk of experiencing acid reflux.

Reducing your salt intake is a simple GERD remedy. If the food seems too bland, then try substituting other herbs, spices, and flavored vinegars. I like the all-purpose, all-natural seasoning powder called Spike that is sold in most health food stores.

Researchers also discovered that those who consumed coffee and high-fiber foods, and who exercised frequently, had a significantly lower incidence of acid reflux. High-fiber diets had one of the greatest influences by cutting the incidence by almost half. 

Based on these findings, the best dietary GERD remedies include:

• Avoid spicy foods
• Don't eat late meals
• Don't drink alcohol in the evening
• Reduce salt intake
• Consume high-fiber foods

You May Also Be Interested In:

• Natural ways to treat GERD and acid reflux
  
• What causes acid reflux?
  
• Three surefire ways to give yourself heartburn