If you have acid reflux you might be wondering if barley is a good choice.
Barley is generally considered a safe choice if you have acid reflux though there are some cases where barley may make acid reflux worse.
Below we will cover all the details below so you know if you can have barley if you have acid reflux.
Is Barley Good or Bad for Acid Reflux?
Before we talk about barley we should first talk about where it is commonly included. Barley is often included in breakfast cereals and also is commonly used in soups too.
Overall barley is known for being a great source of fiber, vitamins and minerals and has been shown to help digestion and lower cholesterol levels too. Therefore, for the overall picture it might seem barley is a good choice and that is often the case if you have acid reflux.
Barley is high in fiber which can help with digestion and helping regular bowel movements which can help reduce acid reflux for certain people.
Although there are also potential issues for certain people with fiber and barley. Usually this happens for people with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) or even SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). When too much barley is taken this may make acid reflux symptoms worse for them.
This can often cause things like bloating, excess gas including burping and flatulence. All these factors can worsen acid reflux for some people.
Therefore, if you have problems with your gut or know that you have a condition like SIBO it would be best to only try barley in smaller quantities first to see if it has any negative effect on you. If you don’t have any symptoms then you can proceed to add more next time if you’d like.
For people without them issues chances are that barley should be a good choice for them and could in fact help them. This is part because the fiber can improve your gut balance and health overall.
Also, barley has been shown to help absorb excess stomach acid. Because acid reflux sometimes is caused by too much stomach acid barley may help absorb the acid and allow the stomach to feel more balanced and calm.
It’s also important to mention that some people may be allergic to barley or even have a sensitivity to gluten. For these people barley may also make their acid reflux symptoms worse. If either is the case for you, chances are that it may be best for you to avoid barley. If you really want to have some then it would be best to first try it in moderation.
Is Barley Acidic or Alkaline?
Barley is acidic on the pH scale. It is usually around a 4.5-5 pH level. While this is acidic it is not very acidic though it is also not close to being alkaline. It’s more of a middle ground when it comes to food.
Therefore for people with only minor acid reflux it should be okay to enjoy, whereas for people with more severe GERD or silent reflux you should be aware that it could slightly irritate symptoms. While this wouldn’t always be the case it is something to be aware of before you eat it.
Different Barley Form Factors
There are different ways barley can be enjoyed but are they good for acid reflux? Below we will quickly cover each of them.
Is Barley Juice Good for Acid Reflux?
Barley juice can help in digestion because it helps improve the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Hydrochloric acid is essential for healthy digestion.
Is Barley Grass Good for Acid Reflux?
Barley grass is relatively safe for acid reflux. It should be easy to digest for most people.
Is Barley Water Good for Acid Reflux?
Barley water is considered good for people with acid reflux. Though people who are susceptible to high fiber and things like gluten will also need to be wary of barley water just as they would for regular barley.
If you have want more diet advice and guidance for acid reflux check out our Wipeout Diet Plan. Also for more
Important Related Questions
Does Barley Increase Acidity?
If anything, barley should help decrease acidity in the stomach. It has been shown to help absorb excess acid in the stomach.
What Grains are Good for Acid Reflux?
Whole grains are considered good for acid reflux but for some people whole grains may be a trigger. The safest options for most people are grains like white rice and oatmeal.
Is Barley Good for Gastritis?
Barley may be helpful for gastritis but for certain people it may also make things worse.
Who Should Not Take Barley?
People who should not take barley are people with digestive problems such as IBS and SIBO. Also, people who are sensitive to high fiber foods or gluten should also avoid barley.
Is Barley Gentle on the Stomach?
Barley is quite gentle on the stomach yes. It can help calm and settle an over acidic stomach because of how it helps absorb excess acid in the stomach.