You’ve probably had acid reflux, often known as heartburn if you’ve ever felt a burning sensation in your chest during or after eating. Your esophagus becomes irritated and unpleasant as a result of stomach acid rising into it.
More than 25% of people in North America are impacted by it. This disorder may be brought on by diet, stress, body weight, smoking, pregnancy, and other lifestyle factors. Particularly, the foods and spices you consume could aggravate the signs and symptoms of acid reflux.
One of the most popular spices in the world, cinnamon is hotly contested as either a treatment or a contributor to acid reflux. As a result, if you have acid reflux, you might be unsure about eating it. The effects of cinnamon on acid reflux are discussed in this article.
What actually is Cinnamon?
The popular spice cinnamon is utilized in a variety of regional cuisines all around the world. It frequently appears in desserts, breakfast foods, and hot drinks. Additionally advantageous to your health are its polyphenol plant components, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. In particular, it contains a lot of flavonoids, cinnamic acid, and cinnamaldehyde.
The form of cinnamon that is most frequently available is cassia, which is typically more processed and has fewer antioxidants. Ceylon cinnamon, on the other hand, is regarded as “genuine” cinnamon. Although it has more antioxidants, finding it in most stores is difficult. Little is known about how either type affects acid reflux.
Does this tasty spice promote acid reflux or treat it?
There is no evidence to date that cinnamon causes acid reflux or makes it worse. According to anecdotal evidence, it can make some people’s conditions worse, especially when ingested in excessive amounts. On the other hand, this spice is rarely consumed alone, is typically used in modest amounts, and is frequently served with other triggering items, such as coffee or chocolate, making it challenging to link it specifically to worsening symptoms.
Furthermore, there isn’t any concrete proof that cinnamon can treat acid reflux. So it’s best to collaborate with your healthcare physician to identify more efficient therapies.
Different factors might cause acid reflux.
Acid reflux triggers vary greatly from person to person, so what bothers one person may not affect another. In order to evaluate whether cinnamon or other foods cause your symptoms, it’s crucial to pay attention to your own eating habits.
If you suspect that cinnamon may be making your symptoms worse, consider cutting it out of your diet for three to four weeks. If your symptoms become better, you might wish to cut back or stop using this spice altogether. You can reintroduce it to your diet if your symptoms don’t get better. It’s advisable to pay attention to your body and only cut out foods that make your acid reflux symptoms worse until additional research is available.
Consult a doctor or qualified dietician if you’re unsure about where to begin so they can advise you on the best course of action.
What foods are associated with acid reflux?
Coffee, chocolate, wine, mint, spicy foods, and foods that are acidic, such as tomatoes or oranges, are the key items that are linked to an increase in acid reflux. Spices including nutmeg, cayenne, black pepper, and chili pepper could make symptoms worse. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a group of muscles at the bottom of your esophagus that regulates the passage of food into your stomach, may get irritated by these meals. Normally, it stops stomach acid from escaping and harming the esophagus.
Heartburn results from stomach acid entering the esophagus and causing tissue injury when the LES is compromised.
Advice for preventing acid reflux
For your comfort and health, it’s crucial to learn how to control acid reflux. Acid reflux is a dangerous illness that, if left untreated, can result in Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal cancer, trouble swallowing, and chronic pain.
Five Trusted Sources, Nine Trusted Sources, Ten Trusted Sources, and Eleven Trusted Sources offer the following lifestyle advice for managing acid reflux:
- Cut back on trigger foods. Limit or avoid foods, beverages, or spices that make your acid reflux worse. For the majority of patients, symptom relief comes from limiting portion sizes and frequency of eating trigger foods. Rarely will you need to fully cut off foods.
- Reduce weight. Due to increased abdominal pressure that results in stomach acid seeping into the esophagus, being overweight and obese are linked to greater incidences of acid reflux.
- Give up smoking. Smoking causes the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax, which opens up the esophagus to stomach acid. It also raises your chance of developing esophageal cancer.
- Limit or avoid alcohol. Alcohol may relax the LES, making symptoms worse. On rare occasions, limit yourself to one or two drinks, or refrain from consuming any.
- Eat while upright. As more stomach acid enters the esophagus when lying down, it can cause indigestion and acid reflux during or after meals. Wait at least two to three hours before lying down or sleeping.
- Don loose-fitting attire. Tight clothing increases abdominal pressure, which can make acid reflux worse.
- Consume little meals frequently. Larger meals may result in increased stomach acid production and abdominal pressure, worsening discomfort.
- Avoid working out after a meal. Before working out, wait at least 30 to 60 minutes to let your food digest.
Consult your doctor if your symptoms persist or get worse for personalized advice that may include over-the-counter, prescription, or — in very rare circumstances — surgery.