Are Pears Good For Acid Reflux? (All You Need To Know)

Acidic reflux, also known as heartburn, is a painful condition that occurs when stomach acid flows back to the esophagus. There could be many reasons for this condition; however, diet is one of the prominent in them. Many foods can help to overcome the symptoms of acidic reflux, while many foods can trigger its symptoms. So choosing the right food is necessary to deal with this chronic condition.  

Pears are well-known fruit that has a slightly sour taste; that’s why so many people avoid eating them during acidic reflux. However, do you really need to avoid them? Are pears acidic? Are pears good for acidic reflux? We are going to answer all these conditions, so read the article completely to know more about pears and acidic reflux.

Eating pears are less likely to trigger acid reflux symptoms. So eating them less is not problematic during hurt burn or acidic reflux. Pears are less acidic fruit and are considered alkaline-forming food, which is good in an alkaline diet. As pears contain less acid so they are often considered the best diet during acidic reflux compared to apples. 

Are pears acidic? 

Simply acidic word refers to the amount of acid that any food contains. If the food is acidic, it will surely have a sharp or sour taste, which makes your nose scrunch. The taste of pears ranges from sweet to sour. However, their pH level depends on genetic and environmental factors. In general, their pH level ranges from 3.6 to as high as 4.0.

However, eating them during acidic reflux is not a good option, but if you are not suffering from symptoms of acidic reflux, then they will not trigger the symptoms. Their taste can range from sweet to sour, so eating sweet pears is not generally problematic.

Can eating pears upset your stomach?

Pears are well-known fruit all around the world that is packed with fiber – an essential nutrient for normal digestion. However, in addition to keeping you regular, some of the fiber is fermented that supports the intestinal tract. In spite of all benefits, pears also contain fructose that can cause gastrointestinal disease if you are not tolerant to fructose.

Many people find it difficult to digest fructose–sugar finds in pears, which leads to digestive problems. Moreover, they also contain sorbitol, which is a reason of causing bloating in many people. So there are few chances of upset stomach in some people after eating pears.

Which are the causes of acidic reflux? 

Acidic reflux, which is most commonly called acidic reflux, can cause discomfort. If you suffer from the symptoms of acid reflux more than twice a week, you may have acid reflux disease, which is also called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. Eating the right kind of food is key to dealing with acidic reflux; however, there are plenty of other causes of acidic reflux.

Stomach abnormality is one the common cause of this condition that occurs when the upper part of the stomach and LES move above the diaphragm – a muscle that separates the stomach from the chest. Generally, the diaphragm keeps the acid in the stomach. If, in that case, you have a stomach abnormality, which is called hiatal hernia, then acid moves up in your esophagus, which causes symptoms of acid reflux disease. However, some of the other causes include;

  • Being overweight or obese is the major cause of acidic reflux
  • Snacking just before bedtime
  • Eating large meals and lying down right after eating a meal
  • Eating acidic foods such as chocolate, mint, garlic, onion, and spicy or fatty foods
  • Laying down on the back after eating heavy meals
  • Smoking
  • Being pregnant

Above are some common causes of acidic reflux; you can deal with this condition by regulating your diet and your regular activities.

What are the benefits of pears?

Pears are a deliciously sweet fruit that has been enjoyed since ancient times. Other than being delicious and having good taste, they also offer many health benefits. Some of them are mentioned below;

Highly nutritious: pears are a great source of providing vitamin C, vitamin K, calories, protein, carbs, fiber, and some amount of folate. However, they also provide minerals like copper and potassium, where potassium helps to aid muscle contractions and heart function. At the same time, copper plays a role in immunity, nerve function, and cholesterol metabolism.

Promotes gut health: pears also provide soluble and insoluble fiber, which is good for digestive health. Soluble fiber promotes healthy bacteria in your gut. One study has also proved the benefits of fiber for constipation. However, one normal size of pear can provide you 6 grams of fiber, which is 22% of your daily fiber need.

Prevent certain cancer risks: pears contain many compounds that offer anti-cancer properties. Their anthocyanin and cinnamic acid content have been shown to prevent cancer. Few studies also indicate that a fruit diet, including pears, is helpful to fight against lungs, stomach, and bladder cancer. (However, more studies are needed to be done, so do not take pears as a replacement for cancer replacement).

Lower the risk of diabetes: pears, particularly red pears, are great to lower the risk of diabetes. A recent study has proved that weekly five servings of anthocyanin-rich fruit can lower 23 percent chances of diabetes.

Helps in weight loss: pears are rich in fiber, contain low calories, and contain water. This combination makes them ideal for weight loss, as water and fiber keep you full for longer. So it makes pears great fruit during weight loss diet. If you are interested you can take a closer look to all the benefits of pears.