Too much food, not too much fat, causes heartburn - Brief Article

Better Nutrition, April, 2001

In the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dr. Roberto Penagini and colleagues looked at acid reflux in heartburn sufferers who have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic condition in which acid from the stomach flows up into the esophagus, causing severe heartburn. The researchers counted episodes of reflux in 13 healthy people and 14 patients with GERD after a high-fat meal in which 52 percent of the calories came from fat, and after a meal in which 24 percent of the calories came from fat.

Both meals had the same number of calories. The fat content did not seem to influence the incidence of reflux. "In light of the present evidence," writes Penagini, "there is no sound rationale for clinicians recommending that patients with GERD follow a low-fat diet." Do follow the other recommendations, however, which include: avoid coffee and soda, avoid spicy foods and (as we've seen) don't overeat.