Short Answer: Crackers are bad for acid reflux. Because they have refined carbohydrates, sodium, and sometimes trans fat and they can increase the acidity of your stomach, lower the pressure of your LES, and trigger inflammation.
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) does not close properly.
This allows the acid to flow back into your esophagus, causing irritation and inflammation.
This can lead to various health problems, such as heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and esophageal cancer.
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, crackers are thin, crisp, baked pieces of bread or dough.
People usually eat them as snacks or with cheese, soup, or other toppings.
Crackers are bad for acid reflux because they contain refined carbohydrates, sodium, and sometimes trans fat.
These ingredients can increase the acidity of your stomach, lower the pressure of your LES, and trigger inflammation.
Five saltine crackers can give you 20 calories, 1.1 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of carbohydrates, 0.3 grams of sugar, 0.3 grams of protein, and 29 milligrams of sodium.
Carbohydrates can ferment in your stomach and produce gas, which can push the acid up into your esophagus.
Sodium can cause fluid retention and increase blood pressure, which can weaken your LES and make it more prone to reflux.
Trans fat can increase inflammation and lower the production of prostaglandins, which are substances that protect your stomach lining from acid.
Furthermore, crackers are a processed food and processed foods are bad for acid reflux.
Because, they often contain additives, preservatives, and artificial flavors that can worsen your symptoms and damage your esophageal lining.
That’s why I suggest you limit your cracker intake to avoid aggravating your acid reflux.
Stick to one or two crackers per day to minimize the risk of heartburn, indigestion, and inflammation.
Also, you shouldn’t eat crackers if you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance to prevent allergic reactions and digestive issues.
Because, most crackers are made with wheat flour, which contains gluten.
You can buy crackers in your local market or online.
Always choose crackers that are made with whole grains, low in sodium, and free of trans fat.
Because, these crackers are more nutritious, less acidic, and more gentle on your stomach.
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.