Short Answer: Cherries are good for acid reflux. Because they have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in your esophagus.
Acid reflux is a condition that affects your esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth and stomach.
In acid reflux, your stomach acid flows back into your esophagus, irritating its lining and causing a burning sensation in your chest or throat.
This can lead to various health problems, such as esophagitis, Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal cancer.
One of the key factors in managing acid reflux is diet.
What you consume can affect your stomach acidity, which can impact your acid reflux symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage acid reflux, you should consume alkaline-rich foods like bananas, leafy greens, and oatmeal and avoid acidic-rich foods like tomatoes, citrus fruits, and chocolate.
Now, cherries are small stone fruits that come in different varieties, such as sweet and sour cherries.
People usually eat them fresh, dried, frozen, or canned, or use them to make pies, jams, juices, and other products.
Cherries are good for acid reflux because they contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in your esophagus.
Cherries are especially high in polyphenols, a type of plant chemical that can help fight cellular damage and promote overall health.
One cup (154 grams) of sweet, raw, pitted cherries can give you 18% of your daily vitamin C, 10% of your daily potassium, and 3 grams of fiber.
Vitamin C can help boost your immune system and protect your esophagus from infection and injury.
Potassium can help regulate your blood pressure and nerve function, which can affect your stomach motility and acid secretion.
Fiber can help keep your digestive system healthy by feeding beneficial gut bacteria and promoting bowel regularity.
Furthermore, cherries are a low-acid food and low-acid foods are good for acid reflux.
Because, they can help neutralize your stomach acid and prevent it from refluxing into your esophagus.
You can eat one to two cups of cherries per day safely.
More than that can cause bloating, gas, or diarrhea, especially if you eat them on an empty stomach or with other high-fiber foods.
Also, you shouldn’t eat cherries if you have gout or kidney stones to prevent a flare-up.
Because, cherries contain purines, which can increase your uric acid levels and cause crystals to form in your joints or kidneys.
You can buy fresh cherries in your local market or order them online.
Always choose firm, plump, and shiny cherries with green stems.
Because, they are the freshest and most flavorful.
You can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a year.
Read Next
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing acid reflux effectively.
I always recommend my acid reflux patients to follow an acid reflux-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.
