Will Eating Apples Help If You Have Acid Reflux?

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but does it keep acid reflux away, too? Apples are a good source of calcium, magnesium, and potassium. It’s thought that these alkalizing minerals may help relieve symptoms of acid reflux.

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid rises into the esophagus. Some say that eating an apple after a meal or before bedtime may help neutralize this acid by creating an alkaline environment in the stomach. Sweet apples are thought to work better than sour varieties.

What are the benefits of eating apples?

Apples contain large amounts of a soluble fiber known as pectin. Pectin may prevent a type of cholesterol from accumulating in the arterial walls. This can reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease.

Pectin may also:

• help remove harmful toxins from the body
• shrink or prevent gallstones
• delay the absorption of glucose in people with diabetes

Antioxidant flavonoids found in apples can limit or prevent oxidation caused by free radicals. This can prevent future cell damage from occurring.

Apples also contain polyphenols, which are antioxidant biochemicals. Polyphenols have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.

The ursolic acid found in apple skins is also known for its healing properties. It’s said to have a role in fat loss and muscle sparing. Ursolic acid hasn’t been studied in humans yet, though animal studies are promising.

What the research says

Although many people report success in treating acid reflux with apples, there isn’t any scientific evidence to support these claims. Most people can eat red apples without experiencing any side effects, so there’s no harm in adding them to your daily diet. A typical serving size is one medium apple or about one cup of chopped apples.

Risks and warnings

Although apples are generally safe to eat, certain types of apples may trigger symptoms in people with acid reflux. Red apples generally don’t cause an increase in symptoms. Green apples are more acidic, which can have a negative impact for some.

Pesticide residue may be present on conventional apple skins. Eating an apple skin with minimal residue shouldn’t cause any adverse side effects. If you’re trying to reduce your exposure to pesticides, you should purchase organic apples.

Fresh apples are recommended over processed forms, such as juice, applesauce, or other apple products. Fresh apples generally have a higher fiber content, more antioxidants, and have less of an impact on your blood sugar levels.

Other acid reflux treatments

Many cases of acid reflux can be treated with lifestyle changes. This includes:

• avoiding foods that trigger heartburn
• wearing looser clothing
• losing weight
• elevating the head of your bed
• eating smaller meals
• not lying down after you eat

If lifestyle changes aren’t doing the trick, you may want to try an over-the- counter (OTC) medication. This includes:

• antacids, such as Maalox and Tums
• H2 receptor blockers, such as famotidine (Pepcid)
• proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as lansoprazole (Prevacid) and omeprazole (Prilosec)

Despite their effectiveness at treating heartburn, PPIs have received a bad rap. They are blamed for side effects such as fractures and magnesium deficiency. They are also thought to increase your risk of developing diarrhea caused from Clostridium difficile bacteria.

If OTC remedies don’t bring relief within a few weeks, you should call your doctor. They may prescribe prescription-strength H2 receptor blockers or PPIs.

If prescription drugs don’t work, your doctor may recommend surgery to reinforce your lower esophagus. This is usually only done as a last resort after all other options have been tried.

What you can do now

Although OTC and prescription medications may relieve your symptoms, they also have the potential for negative side effects. As a result, many people are looking to natural remedies to treat their acid reflux.

If you believe apples may help you, give them a try. Even if the apples don’t relieve your symptoms, they still contribute to a healthy diet. Remember to:

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