Acidic reflux is a painful condition in which acid flows back from the stomach up into the food pipe or esophagus. It happens when the lower esophagus sphincter, also known as LES, which normally closes as soon as food goes through, does not close all the way, or sometimes opens up too frequently. Common symptoms of acidic reflux include heartburn or chest pain.
For those who are suffering from acidic reflux, certain fruits are advised to avoid as they can trigger the symptoms. A good idea to avoid acidic reflux is to eliminate all such foods that have a sour taste from your diet. Peach is also a delicious fruit that we all know and eat with love. They have a juicy taste and are packed with a number of health benefits.
However, if you have tasted them before, you must be aware of their sour taste. They contain citrus acid, which is not considered good for those suffering from acidic reflux. So, can you eat peaches if you have acidic reflux? Are peaches good for acidic reflux?
Peaches are slightly acidic food that you can enjoy without worrying about its effects on acidic reflux. They are not as acidic as other sour fruits and do not trigger painful acid reflux symptoms. Moreover, peaches also contain a number of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that boost your immunity and also help to prevent acidic reflux in the future.
Hence, despite being acidic, peaches can be enjoyed by those suffering from acidic reflux. Nonetheless, always remember that no doubt in small quantity, but they still produce acid, and if you consume them in high quantity, you may tend to face its effects on acidic reflux. So, it is good to consume them in moderation, especially if you have already been experiencing the symptoms of acidic reflux and heartburn.
What is the pH level of peaches?
The pH level of peaches ranges from 3.4 to 3.6, which means that they are slightly acidic and safe to consume by those people suffering from acidic reflux or following an alkaline diet. This makes peaches a good snack that won’t aggravate the acid reflux symptoms.
As a general rule, foods that have pH levels below 4.6 are considered acidic, which means that peaches are acidic in nature. However, peaches are at the higher end of the pH scale and loaded with many neutralizing minerals. Therefore, in spite of their acidic nature, they are safe to consume by everyone.
Nonetheless, it is important to remember that everything in moderation is good for health for everyone, so eat peaches in moderate quantity to avoid any bad effects. Moreover, many people see improved gut health when they consume slightly acidic food as they are all rich in many essential nutrients. Peaches are also a part of this group, so having some of them on a regular diet is a good and healthy idea.
Is peach juice good for acidic reflux?
Just like plain peaches, peach juice is also delicious and healthy to drink. However, many doctors recommend to eat peaches instead of peach juice if you are sensitive to acidic food. But if you still wish to enjoy its juice, always consume it in smaller quantities. Nonetheless, peach juice is also rich in many essential vitamins and antioxidants.
Typically, peach juice has pH levels of around 3.3 and 4.0 – the same as fresh peaches. So if you want to add peach juice to your diet, make sure to choose either freshly squeezed or organic juice. In this way, you can make sure that there are no additives that can lower the pH level and negatively impact your health. Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about pesticides by consuming organic and ecological fruit juice. However, be sure to wash your veggies and fruits with water anyway before using them.
Moreover, peach juice is known to lower blood sugar levels due to its antioxidants. To gain this health benefit, it is a good idea to invest it in a juicer so that you can consume the whole peach. By making it juice, you will also be able to store it for later use. Despite all these benefits, keep in mind that juices are high in sugar and calories, so don’t overdo it. Consuming too many sugary juices will worsen the symptoms of acidic reflux and heartburn.
Are canned peaches acidic?
Canned peaches – especially store-bought peaches are highly acidic. Their acidity ranges between 3.70 and 4.20. However, this number varies depending on the method of canning and additional added ingredients. However, if you want to enjoy canned peaches, the good idea is to scan them by yourself. In this way, you will avoid increasing their acidity.
Canned peaches come with the same health benefits as fresh peaches, but they contain higher sugar than fresh peaches. Generally, sugar is added in the canning process, and sugary food is not good for those who are struggling with GERD or acidic reflux.
This is because sugar is generally harder to digest and stays in your stomach for longer, causing heartburn and acidic reflux. Therefore, it is good to avoid canned peaches and stick to fresh ones. Even though fresh peaches are also acidic, they do not worsen the symptoms of acid reflux or GERD. They are loaded with many essential nutrients and minerals, which help maintain proper health.
So adding peaches into a balanced and healthy diet can give you lots of health benefits as long as your body tolerates this fruit. After all, everyone reacts differently and uniquely to the same food.
