Short Answer: Popsicles are bad for acid reflux. Because they have sugar, citric acid, and artificial ingredients, and they can weaken the LES, increase the acidity, and cause inflammation.
Acid reflux is a condition that affects your esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth and stomach.
In acid reflux, your body allows some of the acid content of the stomach to flow back into the esophagus.
This can irritate and damage the lining of the esophagus, causing heartburn, regurgitation, and other symptoms.
One of the key factors in managing acid reflux is diet.
What you consume can affect your lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that acts as a valve between the stomach and the esophagus, which can impact your acid reflux symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage acid reflux, you should consume fiber-rich foods like oatmeal, whole grains, and fruits, and avoid fat-rich foods like fried foods, cheese, and chocolate.
Now, popsicles are frozen snacks on a stick, usually made from juice, fruit, or milk.
People usually eat them as a dessert or a refreshing treat on a hot day.
Popsicles are bad for acid reflux because they contain sugar, citric acid, and artificial ingredients.
Sugar can weaken the LES and increase the risk of acid reflux.
Citric acid can increase the acidity of the stomach and the esophagus, causing more irritation and inflammation.
Artificial ingredients can trigger allergic reactions or sensitivities, which can also worsen acid reflux symptoms.
One popsicle can give you about 10 grams of sugar (20% of your daily needs), 2 grams of citric acid (4% of your daily needs), and various artificial colors and flavors.
Sugar can reduce the pressure of the LES and make it more likely to relax and allow acid to reflux.
Citric acid can lower the pH of the stomach and the esophagus, making them more prone to damage from the acid.
Artificial ingredients can cause inflammation, histamine release, or allergic reactions, which can also affect the LES and the esophagus.
Furthermore, popsicles are a cold food and cold foods are bad for acid reflux.
Because, cold foods can slow down the digestion and increase the amount of time the food stays in the stomach, creating more pressure and acid.
That’s why I suggest you limit your popsicle intake to avoid aggravating your acid reflux.
Stick to one popsicle a week or less to minimize the negative effects.
Also, you shouldn’t eat popsicles if you have severe acid reflux or esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) to prevent further damage.
Because, popsicles can worsen the symptoms and delay the healing of the esophagus.
You can buy popsicles in your local grocery store or make your own at home.
Always choose popsicles that are low in sugar, citric acid, and artificial ingredients.
Because, these are the main triggers of acid reflux.
You can store them in the freezer for up to a year.
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.