Short Answer: Coconut oil is good for acid reflux because it has lauric acid and other medium-chain fatty acids that can reduce inflammation, infection, and acid damage in the esophagus.
Acid reflux is a condition that affects your esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach.
In acid reflux, your stomach acid flows back up into your esophagus, causing a burning sensation in your chest and throat.
This can lead to various health problems, such as inflammation, ulcers, bleeding, and even cancer of the esophagus.
One of the key factors in managing acid reflux is diet.
What you consume can affect your lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that prevents stomach acid from escaping, which can impact your acid reflux symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage acid reflux, you should consume alkaline foods like bananas, oatmeal, and ginger, and avoid acidic foods like tomatoes, citrus fruits, and coffee.
Now, coconut oil is a type of fat that is extracted from the white flesh of mature coconuts.
People usually use it for cooking, baking, or as a dietary supplement.
Coconut oil is good for acid reflux because it contains lauric acid, a medium-chain fatty acid that has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Lauric acid can help kill and prevent the growth of bacteria that cause acid reflux, such as Helicobacter pylori.
It can also help heal and protect the lining of the esophagus from acid damage.
One tablespoon of coconut oil can give you about 14 grams of fat, of which 12 grams are medium-chain fatty acids.
It can also provide you with small amounts of vitamin E, vitamin K, and iron.
Lauric acid can positively affect acid reflux by reducing inflammation and infection in the esophagus.
It can also help balance the pH level of the stomach and increase the production of chloride, which is essential for stomach acid formation.
Furthermore, coconut oil is a saturated fat and saturated fats are good for acid reflux.
Because, they can help strengthen the LES and prevent it from relaxing too much, which can cause acid leakage.
You can eat one to three tablespoons of coconut oil per day safely.
More than that can cause diarrhea, nausea, or weight gain.
Also, you shouldn’t eat coconut oil if you have high cholesterol or heart disease, to prevent clogging your arteries.
Because, coconut oil can raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and lower your HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
You can buy fresh coconut oil in your local market or order it online.
Always choose organic, virgin, or cold-pressed coconut oil, because they are less processed and more nutritious.
You can store them in a cool, dry place for up to two years.
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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.
