Short Answer: Shrimp is good for acid reflux. Because it has omega-3 fatty acids and they can reduce inflammation and protect the 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 heartburn, regurgitation, cough, sore throat, and other symptoms.
This can lead to various health problems, such as esophagitis, esophageal ulcers, Barrett’s esophagus, and increased risk of 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 fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, and avoid acidic-rich foods like citrus, tomatoes, chocolate, coffee, and alcohol.
Now, shrimp is a type of shellfish that is low in calories and high in protein, iodine, and omega-3 fatty acids.
People usually eat shrimp boiled, grilled, fried, or in dishes like salads, soups, and stir-fries.
Shrimp is good for acid reflux because it contains omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory and protective effects on the esophageal mucosa.
Omega-3 fatty acids can also lower the levels of inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins, which are involved in the pathogenesis of acid reflux.
3 ounces of shrimp can give you 20.4 grams of protein (41% of your daily needs), 0.2 grams of fat (0.3% of your daily needs), and 161 milligrams of cholesterol (54% of your daily needs).
Protein can help you feel full and satisfied, which can prevent overeating and obesity, two risk factors for acid reflux.
Protein can also support the healing of the esophageal tissue damaged by acid reflux.
Fat can slow down the gastric emptying and increase the pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, which can worsen acid reflux.
However, shrimp contains very little fat, and most of it is from omega-3 fatty acids, which have beneficial effects as mentioned above.
Cholesterol can raise your blood cholesterol levels and increase your risk of heart disease.
However, shrimp contains no saturated fat, which is the main dietary factor that affects blood cholesterol levels.
Moreover, shrimp’s cholesterol content may not have a significant impact on most people’s blood cholesterol levels, as only a quarter of the population is sensitive to dietary cholesterol.
Furthermore, shrimp is a seafood and seafood is good for acid reflux.
Because, seafood is rich in iodine, which is essential for thyroid function and metabolism.
A healthy thyroid can regulate the production of stomach acid and prevent acid reflux.
You can eat 3 to 4 ounces of shrimp per day safely.
More than that can cause excess cholesterol intake, which can increase your risk of heart disease, especially if you have other risk factors or a family history of high cholesterol.
Also, you shouldn’t eat shrimp if you have a shellfish allergy to prevent anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening.
Because, shrimp contains proteins that can trigger an immune response in some people who are sensitive to them.
You can buy fresh shrimp in your local market or can order it from online.
Always choose shrimp that are firm, translucent, and odorless.
Because, shrimp that are soft, cloudy, or smelly may be spoiled or contaminated with bacteria.
You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 3 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.