Short Answer: Sushi is good for acid reflux. Because it has lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants, and they can help reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, and improve digestion.
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.
This can lead to various health problems, such as heartburn, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and esophageal cancer.
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 going back up, which can impact your acid reflux symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage acid reflux, you should consume high-fiber foods like oatmeal, whole grains, and fruits, and avoid high-fat foods like fried foods, cheese, and butter.
Now, sushi is a Japanese dish of vinegared rice with various toppings, usually raw fish or seafood.
People usually eat sushi with soy sauce, wasabi, and ginger.
Sushi is good for acid reflux because it contains lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants.
These nutrients can help reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, and improve digestion.
One piece of sushi can give you about 2 grams of protein, 0.5 grams of fat, and 0.1 grams of fiber, which are about 4%, 1%, and 0.4% of your daily needs, respectively.
Protein can help strengthen your LES and prevent acid reflux.
Omega-3 fatty acids can help lower inflammation and protect your esophagus from damage.
Antioxidants can help fight oxidative stress and prevent cellular damage.
Furthermore, sushi is a low-acid food and low-acid foods are good for acid reflux.
Because, they can help neutralize stomach acid and prevent it from irritating your esophagus.
You can eat up to 6 pieces of sushi per day safely.
More than that can cause mercury poisoning, foodborne illness, or excess sodium intake.
Also, you shouldn’t eat sushi if you have a weakened immune system, a history of allergic reactions, or a risk of bleeding to prevent infection, anaphylaxis, or hemorrhage.
Because, raw fish or seafood can contain harmful bacteria, parasites, or allergens, and some fish can interfere with blood clotting.
You can buy fresh sushi in your local market or can order it from online.
Always choose sushi that is made with high-quality ingredients, stored at the right temperature, and prepared by a trained chef.
Because, these factors can affect the safety, taste, and nutrition of sushi.
You can store sushi in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, but it is best to eat it as soon as possible.
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.