If you have a burning sensation in your chest (heartburn), typically after eating, then you might be developing a digestive ailment known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
It is usually greater at night or when you’re lying down and is characterized by backwash (regurgitation) of food or sour fluids, upper abdomen or chest pain, difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia), a sensation of a lump stuck in the throat, persistent cough, swelling of the vocal cords (laryngitis), and increasing asthma.
GERD is brought on when stomach acids, or food and liquids, back up into the esophagus. It typically impacts infants to elderly persons of all ages. The symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux are universal and can probably affect your daily life. Therefore, you must consult your doctor and fix the issues as soon as possible.
Risk Factors of GERD
Some of the potential risk factors associated with the disease are;
- Alcohol usage
- Hiatal hernia: a condition in which a portion of the stomach protrudes over the diaphragm, the muscle segregating the chest and abdominal cavities
- Obesity
- Scleroderma
- Smoking
Pregnancy can also cause heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease or make it worse. A few prescription drugs that can cause symptoms include anticholinergics (such as medications for motion sickness), bronchodilators, calcium channel inhibitors for hypertension, dopamine-active medicines for Parkinson’s disease, progestogen for irregular menstrual blood loss or pregnancy prevention, sedatives for sleeplessness or depression, and tricyclic antidepressants.
Can You Eat Popcorn With GERD?
Suppose you are a movie buff who enjoys munching on popcorn with it but worries that it may create acid reflux and make you uncomfortable. In that case, you need not worry because popcorn is a sort of whole grain and an excellent source of fiber, so it is not terrible for GERD or acid reflux. That’s why munching on some popcorn won’t worsen your acid reflux because the fiber in corn kernels can help soothe an upset stomach by soaking up some stomach acids.
Additionally, normal maize corn has a pH of about 7, making popcorns neither acidic nor alkaline. However, the addition of certain ingredients and the method of cooking can alter the pH of a dish. Thus, the pH of a freshly harvested corn kernel is between 6.5 and 7, while the pH of popped corn is from 6.9 to 7.3.
Popcorn’s mild flavor pairs well with a wide variety of seasonings and toppings, from Milk Stinkers to cheddar cheese. However, adding different toppings can modify the popcorn’s pH. If you suffer from acid reflux, it’s essential to be aware of this and select toppings that won’t aggravate your condition. However, not all condiments are good.
The pH of your meal will change depending on what you put on it, so here’s a review of some tasty options and how they impact the pH.
- Popcorn with butter is slightly acidic, although it’s still near the neutral pH of 7.
- Popcorn’s acidity is raised when caramel and Parmesan are added.
- Popcorn’s acidity gets higher after being topped with cheddar cheese as well.
- Even with peanut butter, its pH is still extremely close to 7.
- When added to popcorn, raisins have a little alkaline effect. Popcorn’s acidity is heightened by the citric acid found in Twizzlers.
You may also suffer acid reflux problems while eating popcorn, regardless of your toppings. It is because of the artificial additives are used to increase the storage life of pre-popped and microwave popcorn. If you suffer from acid reflux, you should probably avoid these versions because the additives are likely to compromise your health.
PFAs, chemicals that have been linked to health problems, are also used to line microwave popcorn bags. Numerous significant ailments are linked to PFA exposure, including liver and cardiovascular issues, cancer, and thyroid disorders. When a sack of kernels is heated in a microwave, the PFAs inside can decompose and produce harmful gases, potentially tainting the entire batch.
What’s the Best Way to Make Popcorn with Acid Reflux?
Perhaps the finest way to pop popcorn is with a stovetop popper. A pot, some oil, and raw corn kernels are all you need. Prepare the pot by heating some oil over moderate heat. When you add your popcorn, and they begin popping, be prepared to clean up a mess in your kitchen. Season with salt and dig in while it’s still sizzling.
Butter is called for in the popular movie-watching snack, but you might want to steer clear of it because of its somewhat acidic pH range (6.1 to 6.4). Coconut oil has an alkaline pH of 7-8 and is one of the most beautiful butter substitutes. Your popcorn won’t have much of a taste, but it will crackle nicely. In addition, it’s a fantastic vegan choice. Lift the pot and rotate it gently, the way you would with butter, to uniformly coat the bottom with solid coconut oil.
If you’re looking for a snack with fewer calories, try air frying. Ensure the kernels aren’t piled on each other and cover the air fryer pan with aluminum foil. Put the tray in the air fryer after it has been heated for 7-8 minutes. It is that simple! You may take things to the next level by purchasing an appliance exclusively for air-frying popcorn.
Conclusion
Unexpectedly, popcorn is a nutritious snack option. Besides being low in calories, it is also high in fiber and antioxidants. It contains a high concentration of polyphenols, an anti-inflammatory antioxidant.
According to some recent scientific studies, popcorn has almost double as many polyphenols as sweet corn or fruit. Also, popcorn has more polyphenols than other healthier options like nuts and seeds and more antioxidants than any other whole-grain food (nearly 15 times more than tortilla chips). The crunch comes from the kernels’ yellow hulls, also where the antioxidants are concentrated.
Popcorn, on its own, is neither acidic nor alkaline. However, adding acidic toppings like cheese or caramel might make it unpleasant for those with acid reflux. This fact in no way precludes the addition of condiments before consumption. There is a wide selection of condiments that won’t trigger your heartburn. Safe and delicious additions to popcorn include raisins and all bagel seasoning.
