If you are wanting to eat broccoli and you have acid reflux you might be wondering if broccoli is a good choice.
Broccoli can be good for acid reflux but there may be some situations or cases where it can worsen acid reflux. This can be specific to each person or other factors can matter like how the broccoli was prepared or cooked. Generally speaking though broccoli is usually a safe and good choice if you have acid reflux.
Below we will break down all the important details so you can know if broccoli is the right choice for you.
Is Broccoli Good or Bad for Acid Reflux?
As we already briefly mentioned broccoli is usually a good choice if you have acid reflux. Though some people may find that broccoli worsens their symptoms, though this tends to not be the case all that often. The important thing to note here is that it really depends on each persons body and digestive system. Below we will explain all the important factors that you need to know.
Of course, the first thing to consider with broccoli is that it’s simply natural. Therefore, you have no concerns about preservatives or anything of the like.
The second important thing to talk about is the acidity of broccoli. Broccoli has a pH of around 6.3 – 6.8 pH. While this makes it acidic on the pH scale it’s a very low acidity and is quite close to the neutral acidity of 7 pH. Therefore, there are no concerns about it being too acidic if you have acid reflux and it will be completely safe even if you have more severe acid reflux like GERD or silent reflux.
The next important thing to consider is how the broccoli was cooked or prepared. For example raw broccoli often is harder to digest and would be more likely to irritate or cause acid reflux symptoms. In comparison steamed or boiled broccoli is easier to digest and much less likely to cause acid reflux.
Keep in mind that if you have eaten a bigger meal or portion that’s included broccoli you could experience acid reflux. This is often not the because of the broccoli itself but instead of overloading the stomach. When you eat too big of a portion this can put more pressure on the stomach which often increases the chances of reflux. The reason for this is because when the stomach is more full it increases the chance of the valve above the stomach opening which often causes acid reflux symptoms. This valve is called the lower esophageal sphincter or LES for short.
What Studies Show
There have been some interesting studies that have shown that broccoli was one of the highest antacid foods that where commonly ate for hyperacidity. In fact, it was shown in this study that broccolis antiacid activity was comparable with sodium bicarbonate.
Sodium bicarbonate or also called baking soda is known for being a good natural remedy for acid reflux when mixed with water and drank. Broccoli was comparable to it in terms of its antacid effects, which shows how effective broccoli can be for calming a stomach that has too much acid.
Additionally, there was a study done where broccoli sprouts where ate. Broccoli sprouts are a more concentrated form of broccoli. The study showed that eating the broccoli reduced inflammation in the esophagus which in turn could improve symptoms of acid reflux too.
Finally there was a study from Cambridge University that found that cruciferous vegetables which includes broccoli can increase the risk of acid reflux symptoms for some people. If you didn’t know cruciferous vegetables are vegetables that are rich in nutrients usually. This study was for people with GERD which is a more severe form of acid reflux.
Conclusion
Overall broccoli is good for acid reflux though there are some people and situations where broccoli could worsen acid reflux. Important things to keep in mind here is that raw broccoli is much more likely to cause acid reflux symptoms. Therefore, it is best to cook your broccoli before eating, steaming, or boiling are the best options.
All people should be okay to at least eat broccoli even if you have more severe acid reflux. Of course if you eat it and you notice that your symptoms are worse then it may be a good idea to stop eating it or eat in smaller portions to see how you fair from that point.
For more diet advice be sure to check out our detailed Wipeout Diet Plan. And for more tailored advice for acid reflux or diet check our Private Acid Consultation.
Important Related Questions
Does Broccoli Increase Stomach Acid?
No, broccoli has been shown to be a good antacid for your stomach. Therefore, it will not increase the acid but instead decrease it.
Does Broccoli Neutralize Stomach Acid?
Because broccoli has been shown to be effective at reducing acid in the stomach it will help balance and even neutralize excess acidity in the stomach.
Is Broccoli Good for an Inflamed Stomach?
Yes broccoli should be good for an inflamed stomach. That’s because of its anti-acid effects along with its anti-inflammatory properties.