Fruits for hyperacidity

Fruits for high acidity – a ban or a benefit? Opinions on this matter are contradictory: on the one hand, fruits are acid, which the gastric environment already contains in excess.

But on the other hand, many fruits have an alkalizing effect, and also contain the vitamins, microelements and fiber we need. In short, this is a rather interesting question, so we will dwell on it in more detail.

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Increased acidity in the stomach

The level of acid in the stomach is one of the most important indicators of the normal functioning of the digestive system. It is thanks to the gastric juice that all food entering the stomach is transformed. Moreover, the main role in this process is played by hydrochloric acid, the content of which in the stomach is not constant: its amount can change depending on the time of day, as well as due to various pathologies of the digestive tract. Such pathologies can develop as a result of infection entering the gastrointestinal tract, or after surgical interventions and improper nutrition.

If the specific gravity of hydrochloric acid in the gastric environment is equal to or exceeds 0.5%, then we can talk about increased acidity in the stomach. To determine this indicator, it is necessary to undergo a pH-metry procedure.

The most obvious sign of increased acidity in the stomach is heartburn - a feeling of discomfort, burning in the area of the esophagus. Even after the heartburn has stopped, the discomfort continues to bother for some time. Among the accompanying signs, one can single out sour belching, which often occurs against the background of heartburn, after eating the "wrong" food.

Increased acidity of the gastric environment is already a diagnosis, and it must be treated. However, the use of drugs alone is not enough: to achieve positive results in treatment, it is necessary to adhere to a certain diet. Fatty, spicy, salty, fried dishes should be excluded from the daily menu, the patient should switch to fractional meals and avoid overeating.

Is it possible to have fruit snacks if you have high acidity?

Healthy eating means not only proper and balanced main meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), but also healthy snacks. What do we usually snack on? Of course, cookies, crackers, chips, sandwiches and cola. Unfortunately, this type of nutrition can provoke the development of stomach pathologies, and, in particular, changes in the acidity of the gastric environment.

Healthy eating enthusiasts know that healthy snacks should contain fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. But what about eating fruits when you have high acidity?

It is possible to eat fruit if you are prone to an overly acidic stomach environment. But you should choose non-acidic varieties of fruit: bananas, pears, sweet apples, etc., both fresh and dried. Sour oranges, tangerines, pineapple, grapefruit are prohibited. The same applies to orange juice.

Orange juice contributes to the disruption of the coordination of progressive muscle contractions of the esophagus, which can lead to spasm, especially if the esophageal walls are already actively irritated by the action of gastric acid. No matter how much you like orange juice, with increased acidity you should reduce its consumption to 40-50 ml at a time, diluting the juice well with water or vegetable juice.

In general, as far as fruit juices are concerned, it is important to note that apple, grape, orange or lemon juice increases gastric secretion, while raspberry or cherry juice, on the contrary, decreases it. Fruit juices diluted with water are considered the most useful, as they serve as a stimulant for the pancreas. Undiluted juices inhibit its function, which can lead to heaviness in the stomach and indigestion. This applies to natural freshly squeezed juices. It is completely undesirable to drink store-bought packaged juices, especially with increased acidity: such drinks contain citric and other acids, which will only worsen the condition of the gastric environment.

Chew well when you eat, including fruits. You should eat slowly, and after eating, do not lie down to rest immediately: maintain an upright body position for at least 40-50 minutes. This will protect you from gastric juice getting into the esophagus and prevent heartburn.

What fruits can be consumed with high acidity?

People who suffer from increased acidity of the gastric environment should eat fruits and dishes made from them with caution, especially sour cherries, sour apples, currants, gooseberries, citrus fruits. If it is absolutely unbearable, you can eat a small amount of them, but only half an hour after eating, otherwise the effect of fruit acid will lead to an increase in the already high acidity of the gastric environment. This can become an impetus for the development and exacerbation of the inflammatory process of the stomach walls, or the formation of ulcerative pathology.

Allowed for consumption are sweet varieties of fruits or berry mixtures, fruit marmalade, pastilles, marshmallows with pectin, homemade jam and fruit preserves.

• Pears: activate digestion, increase appetite, have a diuretic effect and lower the temperature during fever. Fresh pears contain a large amount of coarse dietary fiber, due to which the motor function of the intestines is enhanced, therefore pears are useful for constipation and are not recommended for diarrhea. Pears combined with honey are an excellent remedy for anemia and bronchitis. However, there are some peculiarities of eating pears: it is not recommended to eat them on an empty stomach, and also to drink raw water. One ripe pear contains up to 10% of the daily intake of vitamin C, about 4 g of pectin.
• Melons: not exactly a fruit, but very useful for increased stomach acidity. However, you should not eat unripe melons, and also do not combine melon with fermented milk products and alcoholic beverages - this can provoke indigestion. It is not recommended to eat melon on an empty stomach: the best solution would be to eat a few pieces of aromatic pulp between meals, as a snack. Among the many useful properties, melon also has a laxative effect, and also helps to fight extra pounds.
• Kiwi: one or two fruits eaten after a hearty meal can serve as a kind of folk "mezim" - they will relieve the feeling of heaviness in the stomach, ease the symptoms of heartburn, and stop belching. It is curious that eating kiwi after an abundance of fried food reduces the harmful effects of carcinogenic substances on the body. It is not recommended to eat kiwi at the same time as dairy products - this threatens indigestion and flatulence.
• Apples: when the acidity in the stomach increases, it is preferable to eat ripe and sweet apples. During acute gastritis, apples are also allowed to be eaten, having previously cut off the peel: in this form they can be baked or mashed. It is especially tasty and healthy to eat apples in combination with carrots. To neutralize excess stomach acid, you can make apple honey: peel several sweet apples, remove the seeds, chop finely and boil over low heat for about three hours, adding a little water. When the puree becomes thick and turns brown, remove the dishes from the heat and cool. Add a little honey to the cooled mixture to taste and take a few spoons for heartburn or belching. A good effect is also observed when drinking apple compote with the addition of cinnamon.
• Bananas: contain starch, so they can coat the stomach walls, eliminating irritation of the mucous membrane. You should not eat rotten bananas, and brown spots and dark pulp should be removed. It is also not recommended to eat too many bananas at one sitting: this way you will overload the pancreas, which will provoke difficult digestion of food and an increase in the acidity level in the stomach. The result is the same heartburn. Remember that everything is good in moderation (after all, we do not eat even the vitamins that are so necessary for the body with spoons). If you ate only one banana, and after that you are tormented by heartburn, this means that increased acidity is not the only problem that your stomach suffers from. Get checked by a doctor.

So, let's sum it up: you can eat fruits if you have high acidity, but:

• not on an empty stomach;
• not sour;
• ripe and fresh;
• preferably separately from other types of food;
• without overeating.

You shouldn't give up fruits, it's better to give up the wrong and harmful food. If you doubt whether to eat a fruit or berry, you can consult a gastroenterologist or nutritionist.

Fruits are not prohibited for people with high acidity, only if you approach your daily diet correctly.