Corn is one of those kinds of foods you can not hate. It is in French fries, hamburgers, sauces, salad dressings, and breakfast cereal. Corn may be one of your best foods, but you wonder if it is on the list of foods you should avoid if you suffer symptoms of acid reflux. This article answers the question, “Is corn bad for acid reflux?”.

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What Is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux -also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)- occurs when stomach acid flows backward to the esophagus. It usually happens when there are high amounts of acids or fats in the food you consume. Also, spicy foods and large meals that take longer to digest can trigger acid reflux symptoms.

The lower esophageal sphincter at the bottom of the esophagus is a set of muscles that close up to prevent stomach contents from going back up the esophagus. However, when it becomes overworked and weak, it does not do enough to prevent stomach acid from flowing backward and causing GERD symptoms.

One of the best ways to avoid these symptoms of GERD is to make dietary changes that include removing acidic foods and citrus fruits from your planned acid reflux diet. You should also replace fatty foods like red meat with lean meats to reduce fat intake and eat smaller meals alongside high-fiber foods in a GERD diet that helps the digestive system.

Common symptoms experienced by GERD sufferers include occasional heartburn, chest pain, belching, regurgitation, and nausea.

Read also: Best Cereal For Acid Reflux

Is Corn Bad For Acid Reflux?

The pH of corn ranges between 5.5 and 7, but the ideal pH for corn is 6. This value indicates that corn is acidic, and acid production in your stomach may cause heartburn. However, its pH value is closer to neutral than many acidic foods, and it is less of a heartburn trigger.

Corn is acidic but is not one of the trigger foods for acid reflux symptoms if you eat it ordinarily and in moderate amounts. There are many ways to enjoy your corn, but corn on the cob with butter may be the wrong food if you want to stop experiencing that burning sensation in your chest. A good idea to enjoy your corn while avoiding acid reflux symptoms is avoiding butter and trying other dishes like polenta.

Acid reflux symptoms occur when foods take a long time to digest, exposing the lower esophageal sphincter to a higher amount of acid. Corn is a good source of fiber and could help speed up the digestive process. However, you should chew your corn for longer to allow your digestive tract to break down cellulose that tends to be insoluble.

Acid reflux symptoms due to indigestion also occur if you are overweight. The high fiber content in corn means it is low in fat and is a good meal for your weight loss program if you want to change your dietary habits.

Read also: Best Vodka For Acid Reflux

Is Corn Bad For Acid Reflux Summary

Though corn is not a common trigger food for acid reflux symptoms, you should eat it in moderation and ensure you do not add butter or other fats and oils that could turn it into a high-fat, high-calorie food. It is also not a good choice for people trying to reduce carbohydrate intake as it is high in carbs.

Corn may not cause your acid reflux symptoms, but you need to make some lifestyle changes that would be helpful, and one of them is to avoid eating less than three hours before you sleep. It is because stomach acid settles close to the esophagus when you are in a horizontal position, increasing the risk of heartburn triggers.

You should also ask for medical treatment if you experience frequent acid reflux symptoms despite taking steps to avoid them.