Imagine this: you just had dinner at this amazing Indian restaurant, but you’ve ended up feeling sick from the delicious yet spicy dishes. Why am I so sure? Because, well, it is most likely than not that after such a meal to, deal with heartburn, one of the awful consequences of acid reflux.
In simple words, sometimes, the acid from our stomach goes up in the esophagus, making you feel like the stomach is on fire. The symptoms are pretty easy to detect: this burning pain is very close to the heart’s part that can worsen immediately after you lay down or bend over.
The usual daily triggers are coffee, fried foods, citric fruits, alcohol, or spicy condiments. They are quite normal, even if you don’t have a stomach issue. However, they pass in a matter of minutes. Yet, if these symptoms persist and meds are not an option, you may have to work on your diet. The good news is that there are plenty of foods and beverages that help you soothe the GERD effects and neutralize the acid reflux discomfort after each meal.
A recommended beverage in this direction is almond milk. But is there a truth about its beneficial effects on acid reflux? Well, we will try to find today the answer to this popular question. But before we start digging more in-depth, I want you to have a small basis. I want you to know that almond milk has an alkaline structure, which is perfect for curing GERD symptoms. As opposed to many other lactose-based types of milk, almond milk does not contain fats. This means that this beverage will not aggravate the acid reflux symptoms and may soothe the burning sensation.
Good. With this out of the way, we can go on and really understand the topic. This being said, let’s begin.
What Is GERD?
Acid reflux is one of the most uncomfortable feelings, and controlling it may be a true challenge. Truth be told, this stomach condition may stop us from doing our daily chores and even trigger other health issues.
So, from a medical point of view, GERD describes the presence of acid in the esophagus, or the food pipe, which consequently affects the esophageal lining. The most popular effects are unusual pains in the chest or the feeling of regurgitation immediately after eating.
Luckily, there are many food items that people claim helped them soothe the irritating feeling of heartburn, like our start of the day, almond milk. Nevertheless, is there any scientifical evidence about its effect? Is this lactose-free beverage beneficial to acid reflux?
Almond Milk – The Soother For Heartburn?
Are almonds good for acid reflux? First of all, almonds are full of fibers, which help absorb the excess stomach acid. But fear not! If you don’t have almonds in your pantry, you also have some great alternatives. Try eating peanuts, nuts, pomegranate, flaxseeds, or chia, and enjoy their beneficial apport.
Keep in mind that almonds are rich in fat, but luckily, almond milk isn’t. Therefore, almond milk works better than nuts in the digestion process without delaying it. Nevertheless, this non-dairy beverage has solid alkaline properties and can genuinely reduce acidity in the stomach. Consequently, it will help you relieve heartburn symptoms and feel better.
If you want to get the best of it, consider preparing the almond milk at home. Keep in mind that you will need plenty of almonds to obtain this rich source of calcium to help you neutralize the stomach acid.
Is Almond Milk Healthy?
One of the most significant benefits of almond milk is its lactose-free nature. This is a significant advantage for people who have low or no tolerance for lactose. If you don’t tolerate it, consuming lactose can lead to severe acid reflux. Therefore, almond milk will be a much healthier and more tasty alternative.
On top of that, almond milk is rich in magnesium, a mineral responsible for critical enzyme reactions in the body. Magnesium is also vital in managing blood sugar levels and making the best of your body’s energy. Almond milk can contribute to heart health and help break down lactic acid in the muscles.
FAQ
Since this topic is such a rich one, I decided not to make things too difficult for you, the reader. This is why I gathered all the information you might need on the matter and presented it in the form of a FAQ. Let’s check it out!
Q: Is almond milk rich in calories?
A: Almond milk is actually very poor in calories and contains even 80% less than dairy milk without losing its flavor. These features make it an excellent substitute for other types of milk since it does not influence your weight or glycemic index. This translates into less likely blood sugar level spikes. Hence, if you have diabetes, almond milk is an alternative to consider.
Q: What other vitamins does almond milk contain?
A: Just like other types of milk, the almond one is rich in calcium, an essential bone-building mineral to prevent bone-related conditions like osteoporosis. Calcium is also responsible for heart care and removes free radicals from the body. Keep the aging factors as far as possible from your body by consuming antioxidant-rich foods.
Last but not least, almond milk is a rich source of vitamin E, popular for its antioxidant effect.
Q: What about almond butter? Is it good food acid reflux?
A: Almond butter is lactose-free, considering its vegetarian nature. The nutritional values are pretty similar to almond milk, a full of fibers and vital minerals beverage. Hence, replacing the regular butter with an almond one in the cooking processes might improve the overall diet and decrease the risk of acid reflux.
Nevertheless, it is mandatory to keep in mind that almond butter is still butter; therefore, it contains a lot of fat. As we have previously discussed, fat makes digestion a bit more complicated and can lead to stomach contents going up in the esophagus.
Fat-rich aliments are good to consume if you struggle with acid reflux; however, it mandatory to keep control of the amounts. Making a sandwich with a bit of butter on top is not a mistake, but deep-frying foods in oil is not a wise choice. It depends from one individual to the next. So, my advice is to check what works best for you.
Q: Soy milk vs. almond milk. Which one is better against acid reflux?
A: When it comes to nutritional values, soy and almond milk are quite the same. However, soy milk is a bit lower in fat. Therefore, those on a losing weight diet or simply sensitive to high-fat aliments should look for soy milk. It is also a correct alternative for lactose-free beverages.
Nevertheless, almond milk contains more fibers, which remains a great option against acid reflux. Fibers are simply soaking up the acid excess in the stomach, so it is essential to consume this type of food in the right amounts.
Last Thoughts
While some people would feel great after consuming a handful of almonds instead of drinking a glass of almond milk, it is worth trying this acid reflux soother, as it may come with surprising results.
This nutritious nutty beverage is an alkaline option. Therefore, it won’t represent any possible danger for those dealing with acid reflux. However, our organisms do not respond in the same way, so adjust the quantity of almond milk based on your body’s reaction.