Is tumeric bad for gerd?

As a seasoned chef, I’ve heard it all. People will come up to me with ridiculous requests like gluten-free vegan lasagna or quinoa-stuffed bell peppers. But one of the most bizarre questions I ever got was if turmeric could help alleviate symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Now, at first glance this might seem like an easily answered question, but as someone who has both suffered from GERD and loves cooking with exotic spices, I knew there had to be more underneath the surface.

So buckle up folks because we’re about to dig deep into the research on turmeric and its effects on GERD.

What is turmeric?

You may know this vibrant spice as part of your favorite curry dish or perhaps even as a supplement in capsules that tout various health benefits. But what exactly is turmeric?

Turmeric comes from the root of Curcuma longa plant which belongs to ginger family Zingiberaceae. It’s known for its bright yellow-orange color that gives curries their signature hue.

But beyond flavoring food dishes, turmeric also contains high levels of compounds called curcuminoids which are believed to have anti-inflammatory properties (1).

Curcuminoid supplementation has been shown in studies conducted on humans  to reduce inflammation markers associated with chronic diseases such as heart disease (2), cancer (3), Alzheimer’s Disease(4) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome(5)

Now don’t get us wrong – eating large amounts of tumeric-rich foods won’t magically cure any of these aforementioned conditions overnight.

And while supplemental forms are often marketed towards people for whom traditional treatments are not effective due to lack of adequate evidence instead make diet alternations or ask medical advice before self-supplementing.

But what about GERD specifically? Can turmeric play a role in alleviating symptoms?

Understanding GERD

GERD is a relatively common condition that affects millions of people worldwide, to varying degrees. It stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease and it essentially involves the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus (the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach).

While occasional heartburn or indigestion is normal, chronic episodes can lead to irritation and inflammation which may make daily activities, such as eating or sleeping more difficult.

A variety of factors are believed to influence one’s likelihood of developing GERD including:

  • Age(6)
  • Obesity(7)
  • Smoking/tobacco use(8)
  • Hiatal hernia (a situation where top part of stomach moves above diaphragm)(9)

The most prominent symptom associated with GERD is usually heartburn – that burning sensation in the chest area just behind breastbone. In addition, some individuals may also experience nausea, difficulty swallowing, regurgitation etc (check sources).

Now here’s where it gets interesting because based on initial research findings there seems be an association between curcuminoids’ natural anti-inflammatory effects and reduction in symptoms severity experienced by patients with IBS. But this cannot be generalized towards helping manage/refrain from gastric issue without medical advice.

The Evidence So Far: Mixed Results

It’s become somewhat popular recently for people seeking alternative remedies too opt for tumeric supplements rather than prescribed medications due their ‘organic’ image . That being said – when we examine available scientific research thus far on its potential impact on managing digestive problems like GERD ,information appears mixed :

Study #1

One study published back in 2014 looked at a group of patients with dyspepsia and found that giving them turmeric daily improved their symptoms significantly compared to taking a placebo – (11). But it must be underlined researchers cannot say for sure whether benefits seen arose specifically from pre-existing stomach issues or something else.

Study #2

Another (12) study examined therapeutic applications of natural products and emphasized curcumin ‘was able to protect against esophageal injury in animal models’. However, the experiment itself had been conducted on animals and extrapolating too much based on animal research is not completely reliable as results could differ in human testing/

Study #3

On the flip side though, a randomized clinical trial published back in 2019 found no improvement whatsoever in patients with GERD who were given supplements containing curcuminoids. Overall there are certain drawbacks pertaining to how this treatment has potential give rise to different dose fluctuations along with delayed onset or inconsistent response

The Verdict

I know this isn’t exactly what most people want to hear- we all love quick fixes when it comes feeling better! However the bottom line is there simply isn’t enough consistent evidence available at present concerning effect turfmeric might have on GERD-related symptoms(most studies only demonstrate efficacy upon cells/spent some time investigating digestion problems its influence) .

That said, if you’re like me and enjoy cooking up signature sauces packed with exotic spices including tumeric for delicious flavors,iii\you can still add them into meals irrespective of any noticeable relief granted but please remember -diagnosed individuals should continue prescribed treatment . Opting out without prior consultation may increase severity/frequency of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

One other thing worthy mentioning among transitioning while giving increasing preference towards natural medication regulation diet alternations (these can help encourage healthy living as well):

Stay away from trigger foods which your surgeon/doctor may have briefed aforehand especially

So What Can You Do?

Here’s where reality sets in folks.In the absence of conclusive evidence on guaranteed effects upon GERD-symptoms (as suggested by several studies) patients should not rely solely based on unverified treatments .

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. There are a variety of lifestyle changes you can make to help curb symptoms including:

  1. Maintaining a healthy weight as obesity has been linked to higher rates(7).

  2. Stop smoking/tobacco use.

  3. Avoid trigger foods such as greasy/fatty or acidic meals.

  4. Reduce alcohol intake & try herbal teas instead.

5.Eating small frequent meal portions with an ample interval before bedtime,could also assist in digesting food efficiently ,hence the reflux frequency might lessen down./10/

While these tips may certainly not cure all your GERD-related woes for good, they may at least help you manage symptoms more effectively and minimize discomfort while giving time to consult continue inquiring doable medical advice .

Conclusion

It sure would’ve been nice if one could actually consume tumeric without having any negative impact but unfortunately in case of gastroesophageal reflux disease we cannot say that confidently yet with insufficient direct-evidence,

This topic had me intrigued because even though there was some potential benefits observed among individuals undergoing turmeric treatment, inconclusive reports is tricked into this being enough proof when something is offered sells well due its advertised organic and somewhat mythological status

That being said,focusing towards prescribed medication along lifestyle change ultimately leads us towards having better health habits deriving from formalized medical experiences working in tandem with providing conscious diet/sleep routines ; moving away from relying solely upon “cure-all” kitchen spices.

So go ahead and sprinkle some turmeric powder onto your next chicken curry for flavor-enhancement. Just remember that at end-of-day/diagnosed concern needs guidance hence skipping prescribed medication plan in favor of a trending kitchen seasoning sparsely backed up by scientific evidence might not end up the way you desired.

Stay healthy, stay safe – and keep on cooking!

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