Short Answer: Radish is good for acid reflux. Because it has isothiocyanates, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants, and they can help strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter, heal the esophageal lining, balance the stomach acidity, and prevent esophageal damage.
Acid reflux is a condition that affects your esophagus, the tube connecting your mouth and stomach.
In acid reflux, your body allows stomach acid or bile to flow back into the esophagus.
This can irritate the lining of the esophagus and cause 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, the valve that prevents stomach contents from going back up, which can impact your acid reflux symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage acid reflux, you should consume fiber-rich foods like oatmeal, vegetables, and fruits and avoid fat-rich foods like fried foods, cheese, and chocolate.
Now, radish is a root vegetable that belongs to the mustard family.
People usually eat radishes raw as a crunchy salad ingredient or cooked in soups or stir-fries.
Radish is good for acid reflux because it contains isothiocyanates, a compound that can help strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter and prevent acid reflux.
Radish also contains vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants, which can help protect the esophagus from damage and inflammation.
One cup of sliced raw radishes can give you 29% of your daily vitamin C, 8% of your daily potassium, and 2 grams of fiber.
Isothiocyanates can help tighten the lower esophageal sphincter and reduce acid reflux.
Vitamin C can help heal the esophageal lining and boost the immune system.
Potassium can help balance the acid-base levels in the stomach and prevent excess acidity.
Antioxidants can help fight free radicals and prevent oxidative stress in the esophagus.
Furthermore, radish is a low-calorie and low-fat food and can help you maintain a healthy weight, which is important for acid reflux.
Because, being overweight or obese can put pressure on the stomach and weaken the lower esophageal sphincter.
You can eat one to two cups of raw or cooked radishes per day safely.
More than that can cause gas, bloating, and indigestion.
Also, you shouldn’t eat radishes if you have kidney stones or thyroid problems to prevent worsening your condition.
Because, radishes are high in oxalates, which can increase the risk of kidney stones, and goitrogens, which can interfere with thyroid function.
You can buy fresh radishes in your local market or can order them online.
Always choose radishes that are firm, crisp, and brightly colored.
Because, these indicate freshness and quality. You can store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
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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.
