Carbonated Drinks and Acid Reflux

If you are having GERD, which is Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease, more commonly known as “acid reflux,” look to your DIET first and what you’re putting into your body.

If you are drinking carbonated drinks, that carbonation can increase gastric distension and also stress the lower esophageal sphincter, which is the valve between the stomach and the lower portion of the esophagus.

This valve (LES) function allows food to move from the esophagus into the stomach and prevents the reflux of gastric contents (stomach acid) back into the esophagus.

With the dysfunction of the valve not shutting all the way, stomach acid can creep through the opening in the valve and go up into the esophagus, causing the GERD (acid reflux).

STRESS is another major factor that can play a role in acid reflux. It can increase the acidity in the stomach, cause inflammation, as well as dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Employing certain tools and techniques to lower your stress:

✅Meditation

✅Journaling

✅Grounding

✅Exposure to sunlight

✅Deep breathing

✅Physical exercise/movement

✅Talking to someone

Anything that helps to relax your mind and balance your lifestyle.

Foods to remove from your diet:

❌Carbonated drinks

❌Sugars

❌Processed foods

❌Fried foods

❌Alcohol

❌Caffeine

❌Simple carbohydrates (like breads, pastas cakes cookies)

Nutrition to help:

👉🏻Apple Cider Vinegar

👉🏻Baking Soda

👉🏻Ginger

👉🏻Betaine HCL

👉🏻Digestive enzymes containing pepsin

👉🏻Trace Minerals

👉🏻Calcium/Magnesium

👉🏻B Vitamins

👉🏻Probiotics

Also, if you are battling with acid reflux, it is best to sleep on your LEFT side. It keeps the acid below the LES and from creeping up into the esophagus.