When Your Stomach Burns as Hot as the Sun: Acid Reflux in the Summer

Summertime is the time of year people seem to really suffer from acid reflux. Longer days often mean more food and more drink. Unfortunately for those of us that suffer from acid reflux, the most delicious summertime foods and drinks are heavily loaded with acid.

Citrus and other high-acid foods and drinks are in season during the summer and seem to be especially satisfying. So, we eat more of them. Summertime activities such as grilling increase our exposure to acidic foods. Many people grill fatty foods, tomatoes, onions, pineapple and even citrus. Many people will double their consumption of the acidic foods without even realizing it.

Though many people have access to the foods they love no matter what time of year it is, you can definitely tell when fresh food is, and is not in season. A lot of the more acidic foods are in season during the warmer months, which means the prices go down and our consumption goes up. Simply eating more of what you normally eat can be a trigger for acid reflux.

Acid Reflux in the summer seems worse because it actually is most of the time! Fear not though ? there are plenty of alternatives for combating acid reflux.

The foods that bother acid reflux the most seem to be the very ones that are most delicious grilled! Fatty foods, citrus, onions and pineapple are so good grilled, but oh, do we ever pay the price afterward!

What is your favorite thing to drink in the summer? Chances are it is not plain water. Almost all other drinks other than plain water contain some level or type of sugar, which converts to acid in our stomachs.

Third, eat/drink your citrus earlier in the day. You can take an antacid before you eat, or if you are drinking acidic fruit juice, replace a quarter or half of the juice with water.

Summer is one of the best times of the year. Fun in the sun, right? Just as you make smart decisions about protecting your skin from sunburn, internalize (literally) those decisions and protect your stomach, esophagus and intestines from burning acid.

Summertime is the best time of year for many people. Don?t let acid reflux ruin one second of it! Smart food choices, drinking water and watching your consumption will work together to keep acid reflux symptoms in check.