Acid Reflux Diet Myths

There are many different acid reflux diet myths concerning the causes and treatment of acid reflux. Many of the myths associated with acid reflux revolve around the diet of an acid reflux sufferer. Many acid reflux sufferers believe that experiencing acid reflux is directly related to the diet in which they eat, but for many, the acid reflux diet is not the case. Here are some acid reflux diet myths:

• Acid Reflux Diet Myth #1: My diet is causing my acid reflux.
  Although there are certain foods that can exacerbate the symptoms of your acid reflux, they are definitely not the cause of the condition. Acid reflux is a biological condition.
  
  Although you can modify your diet to lessen the symptoms of your acid reflux and heartburn, the condition is still there despite what changes you make to your diet. For example, if you are eating spicy foods after following a bland diet, you may start experiencing symptoms of your acid reflux again.
  
• Acid Reflux Diet Myth #2: A bland diet will cure heartburn.
  Eating a bland diet will lessen the heartburn symptom of acid reflux. However, eating a bland diet will not cure heartburn that is associated with acid reflux because it is a biological disorder.
  

Instead of remaining in the stomach, the stomach acids move back up into the esophagus.
In people with low amounts of stomach acid, the stomach acid moves back up into the esophagus because there is not enough acid present in the stomach for the stomach contents to be digested. Acid in the stomach triggers a valve, which releases the stomach contents into the intestines.

If there is not enough acid in the stomach, this valves does not open and the stomach contents are forced to move back into the esophagus. So why, then, do doctors prescribe medications to reduce and block the acid in the stomach?

This is because there are not enough medications that can treat the underlying factors that cause acid reflux. In addition, acid reflux can cause uncomfortable irritation and damage to the esophagus. The delicate tissues of the esophagus can be damaged by the corrosive acids of the stomach. Antacids and acid blockers prescribed by doctors will only lessen the irritation and damage done to the esophagus.


• Acid Reflux Diet Myth #4: Eating acidic foods causes acid reflux.
  Eating or drinking acidic foods like beer and orange juice do cause problems for people with acid reflux. Although acidic foods and drinks cause irritation to acid reflux sufferers, it is not because of there acidity. Many foods that are non-acidic will cause irritation to acid reflux sufferers.
  
• Acid Reflux Diet Myth #5: Taking acid reflux medications inhibits the ability to digest food.
  Besides the acids in the stomach, there are enzymes in the stomach that aid in the digestion of food. Taking medications to suppress the acids in the stomach will not prevent you from digesting your food. Although medications will reduce the amount of acid in the stomach, there is still enough acid for normal food digestion.