Can
grapefruit
cause acid reflux?
This is one
of the common questions that that is asked by acid
reflux sufferers. The
truth is, that while the acid reflux root causes
are complex and multiple, certain food patterns
can contribute to the aggravation of this medical
condition.
Grapefruit
is a large orange-like fruit belonging to the
citrus family. It is derived from a natural
cross-breeding between orange and pomelo.
It
is called a grapefruit simply because it grows in
clusters, like grapes. The taste of a
grapefruit can be bitter and sour. The pink and
red varieties are slightly
sweeter.
A
cup of fresh, pink grapefruit juice contains:
- 96
calories
- 1
gram of protein
- 22
grams of carbohydrates
- 22
mg of calcium
- 30
mg of magnesium
- a
mere 2 mg of sodium
- 400
mg of potassium
- 94
mg of Vitamin C
- 24
micrograms of folate
- 24
micrograms of lutein
- 1087
I Us of Vitamin A
- a
negligible amount of fat and no cholesterol
While
grapefruit
cannot directly cause acid reflux,
drinking a lot of grapefruit juice may cause
indigestion leading to acid reflux due to the acid
present in the juice or (if you are susceptible to
them) canker sores. In such cases it is best to
avoid grapefruit juice. Foods and drinks high in
citrus, including lemons, oranges, pineapples and
grapefruit can irritate and possibly damage the
esophagus lining. So, people having acid reflux
should avoid these foods.
Excessive consumption of any citrus juices can
leech calcium from the body system, causing decay
of the bones and teeth. Regular consumption of
grapefruit juice causes harmful interactions with
certain drugs. Enzymes in the intestinal wall and
liver break down drugs into a form the body can
readily eliminate. Grapefruit juice has substances
that block the action of some of these enzymes
resulting in the rise of their levels in the blood
beyond permissible and safe limits.
For
example, Quinidine poisoning may occur, if large
amount of grapefruit juice, and in addition,
antacids such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum
hydroxide are taken, when quinidine is
administered. The reason is that the acidity of
urine is lowered by combined use of antacid and
fruit juice and that the resorption of quinidine
from the ureter space is stimulated, and the blood
level of quinidine is increased and poisoning
occurs.
On
the other hand, some people believe that though it
has a sharp, sub-acid taste, the fresh grapefruit
has an alkaline reaction after digestion and is
helpful in controlling
acidity.
But
just avoiding grapefruits is not a solution to the
problem of acid reflux. A good idea would be to
get evaluated by a holistic medical practitioner.
Diseases are rarely caused in isolation and due to
the most obvious causes. The etiological factors
involved in acid reflux go beyond the physical. To
achieve permanent cure, a balance needs to be
sought between the physical, mental, emotional and
spiritual aspects of the body. This is the
principle of holistic medicine. It involves making
dietary and behavioral modifications, stress
management, exercises, yoga and other alternate
therapies.
