In this brief article, we will answer the question “does cinnamon increase acid reflux” with an in-depth analysis of whether cinnamon increases acid reflux. Moreover, we are going to discuss what cinnamon is.
Does cinnamon increase acid reflux?
There is currently no study to support or refute the usage of cinnamon to treat acid reflux. Cinnamon, like other spices, is thought to have a negative impact on acid reflux.
Cinnamon is generally drunk with coffee or chocolate, thus establishing a direct link between cinnamon use and acid reflux is difficult.
What exactly is cinnamon?
Cinnamon is a common spice that may be found in a variety of cultural dishes all around the world. Desserts, breakfast foods, and warm beverages all contain it.
Polyphenol plant components, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics, are also good for your health. It contains a lot of cinnamic acids, cinnamaldehyde, and other flavonoids.
Cassia cinnamon is the most readily accessible kind, however, it is usually more processed and has fewer antioxidants. Ceylon cinnamon, on the other hand, is called “genuine” cinnamon. It has more antioxidants but is difficult to come by in most supermarkets.
There is minimal research on the effects of either type on health concerns such as acid reflux.
Is this spice acid reflux-causing or -curing?
To present, there is no evidence that cinnamon causes or worsens acid reflux.
It has been observed that it worsens this disease in certain persons, especially when ingested in high doses, according to anecdotal evidence.
However, because this spice is rarely consumed alone, is normally used in little amounts, and is frequently served with other triggering foods like coffee or chocolate, it’s difficult to link it to worsening symptoms.
Furthermore, there is no concrete evidence that cinnamon can help with acid reflux. As a result, it’s vital to collaborate with your doctor to develop more effective remedies.
Triggers of acid reflux vary widely
Acid reflux triggers are highly personal, and what works for one person may not work for another. As a result, it’s critical to pay attention to your personal eating habits to see if cinnamon or other foods are causing your symptoms.
If you think cinnamon is making your symptoms worse, consider cutting it out of your diet for 3–4 weeks. If your symptoms improve, you may want to reduce or eliminate this spice from your diet. You can reintroduce it to your diet if your symptoms don’t improve.
It’s advisable to listen to your body and just avoid foods that aggravate acid reflux symptoms until additional research is available.
If you’re not sure where to begin, talk to a doctor or a certified dietitian about the best course of action.
What foods are associated with acid reflux?
Coffee, chocolate, wine, mint, spicy foods, and acidic foods like tomatoes and oranges are the key foods linked to increased acid reflux. Chili pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg are among the spices that might aggravate symptoms.
These foods may irritate the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a group of muscles at the bottom of the esophagus that regulates food flow into the stomach. It stops acid from exiting the stomach and harming the esophagus in normal circumstances.
Stomach acid can travel into the esophagus and destroy tissue if the LES is compromised, causing heartburn.
Acid Reflux Management Tips
It is critical to learn how to manage acid reflux for your comfort and health. Acid reflux left untreated can develop into serious problems such as Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal cancer, swallowing difficulties, and persistent pain.
Here are some lifestyle suggestions to help you manage your acid reflux:
Reduce your intake of trigger foods:
Reduce or eliminate meals, beverages, or spices that aggravate acid reflux. For the most part, limiting portion sizes and frequency of consumption of trigger foods relieves symptoms. It’s unusual that you’ll need to fully exclude things from your diet.
Reduce your weight:
Due to increased abdominal pressure, which causes stomach acid to flow into the esophagus, being overweight or obese is linked to a higher rate of acid reflux.
Stop smoking:
The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes when you smoke, allowing stomach acid to enter the esophagus. It also raises your chances of getting esophageal cancer.
Alcohol should be avoided or consumed in moderation:
Alcohol can cause the LES to relax, causing symptoms to worsen. On rare occasions, limit yourself to one or two drinks or abstain totally from alcohol.
Eat while standing up:
Due to increased levels of stomach acid entering the esophagus when lying down during or after a meal, it can cause indigestion and acid reflux. Before lying down or going to sleep, wait at least 2–3 hours.
Dress comfortably:
Tight clothing adds pressure to the abdomen, which can aggravate acid reflux.
Small, frequent meals are best:
Larger meals may increase stomach acid production and abdominal pressure, worsening symptoms.
Exercise should be avoided after a meal:
Allow at least 30 to 60 minutes for the food to digest before working out.
Conclusion
In this brief article, we answered the question “does cinnamon increase acid reflux” with an in-depth analysis of whether cinnamon increases acid reflux. Moreover, we discussed what cinnamon is.