Short Answer: Canned pineapple is bad for acid reflux. Because it has citric acid, ascorbic acid, and sugar, and they can lower the esophageal pH, irritate the esophageal lining, and increase the gas and acid production in the stomach.
Acid reflux is a condition that affects your esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth and stomach.
In acid reflux, your body produces too much stomach acid or the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a muscle that prevents acid from flowing back into the esophagus, does not work properly.
This can lead to various health problems, such as heartburn, chest pain, regurgitation, dysphagia, cough, hoarseness, and esophagitis.
One of the key factors in managing acid reflux is diet.
What you consume can affect your esophageal pH, which can impact your acid reflux symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage acid reflux, you should consume alkaline foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds and avoid acidic foods like citrus, tomatoes, chocolate, mint, garlic, onions, spicy or fatty foods.
Now, canned pineapple is a processed fruit that is preserved in syrup or juice.
People usually eat it as a snack or use it in desserts, salads, or dishes.
Canned pineapple is bad for acid reflux because it contains citric acid and ascorbic acid, which are both acidic and can lower the esophageal pH.
It also contains sugar, which can feed the bacteria in the stomach and increase the production of gas and acid.
If you have a hiatal hernia, a condition where part of the stomach pushes up into the chest, canned pineapple can worsen your acid reflux by increasing the pressure on the LES.
One cup of canned pineapple chunks can give you 28 grams of sugar, 131% of your daily vitamin C, and 2% of your daily calcium.
Citric acid can irritate the esophageal lining and cause inflammation and pain.
Ascorbic acid can erode the enamel of your teeth and increase the risk of tooth decay.
Sugar can cause weight gain, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders, which can aggravate acid reflux.
Furthermore, canned pineapple is a fruit and fruits are bad for acid reflux.
Because, fruits are high in fructose, a type of sugar that can ferment in the stomach and cause bloating and gas.
That’s why I suggest you limit your canned pineapple intake to avoid worsening your acid reflux.
Stick to one serving (half a cup) or less per day to minimize the negative effects.
You can also rinse your mouth with water after eating canned pineapple to protect your teeth.
Also, you shouldn’t eat canned pineapple if you have or suffer from gastritis, peptic ulcers, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to prevent further damage to your stomach and esophagus.
Because, canned pineapple can increase the acidity and inflammation in your digestive tract.
You can buy fresh pineapple in your local market or order it online.
Always choose ripe, firm, and juicy pineapples with green leaves and a sweet aroma.
Because, fresh pineapple has more enzymes, antioxidants, and fiber than canned pineapple.
You can store them in the refrigerator for up to five days or in the freezer for up to six months.
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.