Short Answer: Coconut milk is good for acid reflux, because it has MCTs and is plant-based and lactose-free. These ingredients can help reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and promote weight loss.
Acid reflux is a condition that affects your esophagus, which is the tube that connects your mouth and stomach.
In acid reflux, your stomach acid flows back into your esophagus, irritating its lining.
This can lead to various health problems, such as heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and inflammation of the throat.
One of the key factors in managing acid reflux is diet.
What you consume can affect your lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is the muscle that prevents stomach acid from flowing back into your esophagus.
It can also impact your acid reflux symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage acid reflux, you should consume foods that are low in fat, acid, and spice, like oatmeal, bananas, melons, and lean meats.
And avoid foods that are high in fat, acid, and spice, like fried foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and chocolate.
Now, coconut milk is a liquid that comes from the white flesh of mature coconuts.
People usually use it as a dairy alternative, a cooking ingredient, or a beverage.
Coconut milk is good for acid reflux because it contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are a type of fat that may help reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and promote weight loss.
These factors can help prevent or ease acid reflux symptoms.
One cup of coconut milk can give you 57 grams of fat (87% of your daily needs), 13 grams of carbs (4% of your daily needs), and 5 grams of protein (10% of your daily needs).
MCTs can positively affect acid reflux by stimulating thermogenesis, which is the process of generating heat in the body.
This can increase your metabolic rate and help burn excess calories and fat, which can reduce the pressure on your stomach and LES.
Furthermore, coconut milk is a plant-based and lactose-free product, and these types of products are good for acid reflux.
Because, they can help avoid dairy intolerance, which can worsen acid reflux symptoms.
You can drink one to two cups of coconut milk per day safely.
More than that can cause diarrhea, nausea, or abdominal cramps, because of the high fat content and laxative effect of coconut milk.
Also, you shouldn’t drink coconut milk if you have a coconut allergy, to prevent anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction.
Because, coconut milk contains coconut proteins that can trigger an immune response in some people.
You can buy fresh coconut milk in your local market or can order it from online.
Always choose organic and unsweetened coconut milk, because it has fewer additives and sugars.
You can store it in the refrigerator for up to four days or in the freezer for up to three 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.