If you often experience heartburn, it can be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic condition that causes recurring episodes of acid reflux. Acid reflux refers to when stomach acid or food flows back into the oesophagus. This often happens when the lower oesophagal sphincter (LES) relaxes or becomes weak, causing symptoms like a burning sensation in the throat or chest, a bitter taste in your mouth, burping, nausea and bloating.
Therefore, heartburn is that burning pain in your chest that commonly occurs after eating. Almost everyone experiences acid reflux from time to time. Fortunately, it is not a life-threatening disease, as long as one can do something to reduce or eliminate occurrences.
Hence, some fruits can help your heartburn. Read on to learn the top 10 fruits to treat heartburn.
Top 10 fruits to treat heartburn
1. Banana
Banana is a popular fruit with many health benefits. It can help to improve your digestion and heart health, thanks to its fibre and antioxidant content. In addition, banana has a very low acid content and are a good source of several vitamins and minerals, especially potassium, vitamin B6 and vitamin C. Its potassium content can help people who suffer from high blood pressure and other health issues.
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2. Watermelon
Watermelon’s high water content, antioxidants and amino acids may help to reduce heartburn occurrences. It is a juicy and sweet fruit, making it a perfect treat to quench your thirst during the heat. Not only does it help you stay hydrated, but it contains citrulline, an amino acid that may increase nitric oxide levels in your body and help your blood vessels expand to lower blood pressure. Watermelon also contains other useful nutrients such as magnesium, potassium and vitamins A, B6, and C — all of which are healthy and can help your heart and overall health.
3. Cantaloupe
Like watermelon, cantaloupe has a high water and fibre content. It also contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that can treat heartburn and improve your overall health. The potassium, vitamin C, and choline in cantaloupe all support heart health. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), an average adult should consume 4,700 mg of potassium a day to keep the cardiovascular system healthy. Therefore, a cup of cantaloupe provides around 473 mg of potassium or 10 per cent of a person’s recommended daily intake.
4. Honeydew melon
Honeydew melons are known as the sweetest of all melons. They contain plenty of water, as well as vitamin C, B vitamins, fibre, antioxidants and smaller amounts of other key nutrients. These nutrients have many health benefits, including helping your heart health. According to Health, melons, including honeydews, activate the production of a substance called nitric oxide (NO), which helps smooth muscles in the body to relax, including blood vessels.
5. Apple
Apples are high in fibre, vitamin C and various antioxidants. They also contain low calories but are very filling. A 2020 study found that apples can reduce total cholesterol levels and improve overall blood flow. This is one of the many reasons why they say an apple a day, keeps the doctor away. However, it is recommended to avoid the sour varieties which are usually acidic.
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6. Grapes
Grapes are delicious fruits you can eat at a go. For centuries, people have used this fruit in a variety of ways, such as cooking and winemaking. In addition, grapes are packed with nutrients that can benefit your heart health greatly. You will find them in various colours, including green, red, black, yellow and pink. Also, they come in different forms such as raisons, jellies and juice, all either containing seeds or seedless.
Grapes have high potassium content and can help you control your cholesterol intake. These qualities alone can help you reduce or even prevent heartburn. Also, the antioxidants which are mostly concentrated in the skin and seeds can help prevent and treat heart diseases.
7. Apricots
Apricots are sweet, tart stone fruits containing lots of nutrients that can help you treat heartburn. Round and yellow, they look like a smaller version of a peach and are rich in antioxidants such as beta carotene and vitamins A, C, and E. They also contain flavonoids, the polyphenol antioxidants that protect against illnesses, including diabetes and heart disease. These fruits are also rich in potassium which can help your blood pressure.
8. Cherries
Cherries may be small stone fruits, but they are delicious and contain many nutritional benefits for your health. Increasing your intake of these fruits can help reduce heartburn and other heart-related issues. For instance, a cup (154 grams) of pitted, sweet cherries provides 10 per cent of the DV for potassium, which helps control blood pressure. Also, cherries contain powerful polyphenol antioxidants, including anthocyanins, flavonols and catechins, which may help keep your heart healthy by protecting against cellular damage and reducing inflammation.
9. Pear
The peel of a pear contains an important antioxidant called quercetin, which is thought to benefit heart health by decreasing inflammation and reducing heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In other words, a pear is a low citrus plant fruit that can help prevent heartburn, while also boosting your immune system to keep you healthy. You can also eat this fruit in a variety of ways like eating it raw, cooking, baking or roasting.
10. Cucumber
Cucumber is usually considered a vegetable due to its culinary versatility. However, it is botanically a fruit, a low citrus one that can help you treat heartburn. Cucumber has plenty of water and fibre that can keep you hydrated and improve your gut health. You can enjoy this fruit in a variety of ways like eating it raw, blending it with other fruits to make a smoothie or fruit juice or even cooking it.
Conclusion
These are the top 10 fruits to treat heartburn. Remember to listen to your body to determine which fruit is good or bad for you. Overall, health is wealth. Take your health seriously and you will have every reason to smile and look forward to a great day.
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