Acid Reflux - Eat Raisins

Eat raisins for acid reflux? How can that possibly help? It seems not to deal with the problem at all - the sphincter muscle that should keep acid from refluxing into the esophagus. And yet, many people believe that eating raisins is an effective treatment for acid reflux.

Eat raisins for acid reflux, but don’t chew or swallow them. That’s the conventional wisdom on this folk remedy for acid reflux. Just place 10-15 raisins in your mouth, and hold them there for about 5 minutes.

Reasons to Eat Raisins for Acid Reflux

The logic behind the belief that you should eat raisins for acid reflux is simple.

* Raisins are low in acid
* Raisins stimulate saliva production
* Saliva contains bicarbonate
* Bicarbonate is the body’s natural antacid

Holding the raisins in your mouth without eating them, it is claimed, causes the increased saliva to flow down to the stomach, reducing acid levels, calming the stomach, and relieving acid reflux. Were the raisins themselves swallowed, the stomach would produce more acid to digest them. Since they are not, the stomach merely accepts the antacid benefits of the saliva.

When to Eat Raisins for Acid Reflux

You can eat raisins for acid reflux anytime, it is said. The best idea is to prevent acid reflux from occurring. You may be able to do this by eating raisins with your meals.

* Add a handful of raisins to your morning cereal to ward off acid reflux before going to work.
* Stir raisins into your lunch time yogurt to reduce the possibilities of getting acid reflux in the afternoon
* Sprinkle raisins on cooked vegetables or green salads.
* Add raisins to rice or other grain dishes and avoid evening acid reflux.

If acid reflux has already occurred, try placing 10-15 raisins in your mouth, as described above, and hold them there as you relax. Your acid reflux may subside within 5 to 10 minutes.

CAUTION: The information given here is for educational purposes only. The author can find no scientific studies regarding the effectiveness of raisins for acid reflux, but they seem to help some people. If you have chronic acid reflux, please see your doctor for advice.