A burning sensation in the chest usually occurs after eating fatty, fried, or spicy foods. But can there be heartburn from apples? Many people consume these fruits in order to get rid of discomfort in the esophagus. However, if there are excessive quantities of apples, especially on an empty stomach, then heartburn can only worsen. Why is this happening? And how to get rid of a burning sensation?
What is heartburn
If the contents of the stomach are thrown back into the esophagus, then a burning sensation appears in the chest. This is accompanied by a sour taste in the mouth. This feeling is called heartburn.
This is far from a safe occurrence. After all, gastric juice contains hydrochloric acid, which has strong irritating properties. When this substance comes into contact with the walls of the esophagus, painful ulcers and areas of necrosis on the mucosa may appear.
Why does a burning sensation arise?
Consider the main causes of the occurrence and treatment of heartburn. The reflux of gastric juice into the esophagus most often occurs with gastritis and gastric ulcer. However, heartburn often appears in healthy people. The following factors contribute to this:
- overeating (especially at night);
- abuse of spicy, fatty and fried foods;
- bad habits;
- pregnancy;
- obesity;
- squeezing the abdomen with tight clothing;
- intolerance to certain products;
- increased acidity of gastric juice;
- taking antibiotics.
With heartburn, doctors recommend taking antacids that neutralize hydrochloric acid. In mild cases, regular baking soda can help.
Apples are good or bad
What is the benefit and harm of apples to the human body? Consider the composition of this fruit. It contains vitamin C, fiber, pectin and volatile. These substances have the following effects on the body:
- strengthen immunity;
- increase resistance to infections;
- prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques;
- improve digestion;
- increase hemoglobin level.
In addition, apples contribute to a sense of fullness and at the same time contain few calories. Therefore, they are included in the diet while following a diet for weight loss.
It can be concluded that apples are good for the body. However, the named fruit contains malic acid, which irritates the gastric mucosa. Therefore, people with gastrointestinal diseases are not recommended to abuse acidic apple varieties.
How apples act on the stomach
Speaking about whether there can be heartburn from apples, it should be noted that usually doctors recommend including this fruit in the diet for diseases of the stomach. It is very easily digested and at the same time has antacid properties. In some cases, eating a small amount of apples helps eliminate the symptoms of heartburn.
However, very often apples cause a new attack of the disease. This usually happens after eating a lot of fruit. Malic acid irritates the stomach, which leads to the appearance of the described symptom that occurs due to increased formation of hydrochloric acid.
Apples and burning in the esophagus
Why does heartburn occur after apples? The causes of burning in the esophagus may be as follows:
- Fast digestion. Apples are a very light product. They are processed in the stomach almost instantly. This increases the secretion of gastric juice, which can provoke an attack of heartburn.
- Eating apples on an empty stomach. This fruit is not recommended to be eaten on an empty stomach. Apples increase the production of hydrochloric acid, which can cause heartburn. Therefore, doctors do not recommend snacking with apples alone.
- The use of acidic varieties. These types of fruit contain an increased concentration of malic acid, which irritates the walls of the stomach.
- Poor chewing of the peel. Solid particles of the peel irritate the mucous membrane. This leads to spasm of the stomach and throwing its contents into the esophagus.
- Excessively hard flesh. Some varieties of apples have a fairly solid structure. Their flesh can irritate the stomach and contribute to heartburn.
In healthy people, heartburn from apples is quite rare. This is possible, as already mentioned, only by eating a large number of fruits of acidic varieties. A burning sensation in the chest after eating apples is often one of the early signs of gastritis or ulcers.
Ways to get rid of heartburn
What to do if there is heartburn from apples? To eliminate it, you need to eat 1 tablespoon of honey. This product has enveloping properties and reduces discomfort. There are other home remedies:
- Alkaline mineral waters (Borjomi, Essentuki). These drinks help neutralize gastric juice and reduce burning sensation.
- Mint. You need to chew a little mint leaves. This will quickly eliminate the discomfort.
- Baking soda. This is a fairly popular tool. It helps to quickly neutralize gastric juice and quench burning sensation. However, soda is too often not recommended, as it aggressively affects the digestive tract.
- A decoction of a mixture of herbs. You need to take in equal parts fennel, anise and dill. The mixture of spices pour hot water and insist for about 20 minutes. To drink in small sips.
- Beetroot juice. A mixture of freshly squeezed beet and carrot juices reduces a burning sensation.
Heartburn from apples should not be jammed with other fruits. This will only aggravate the situation. If the burning sensation persists for a long time, then antacid medications should be used ("Rennie", "Gastal").
How to eat apples
With a tendency to heartburn, it is recommended to choose sweet red varieties of apples. They contain a small amount of malic acid and less often cause a burning sensation. Peel the fruit should be completely removed.
Avoid eating apples on an empty stomach. This fruit is useful to eat about half an hour after a meal.
For the gastric mucosa, it is very useful to eat crushed apples mixed with honey. This dish helps to normalize digestion and acidity.
To avoid the unpleasant consequences of eating apples, you must also observe the following recommendations:
- Do not eat apple grains. They contain iodine and organic acids. These substances can trigger a heartburn attack.
- People with gastritis or peptic ulcer disease can eat apples only in baked form. Fresh fruits contain too much acid.
- After eating apples, you must rinse your mouth. Acid can adversely affect the condition of tooth enamel.
Apples Against Heartburn
In some cases, apples can even serve as a home remedy for heartburn. A small amount of these fruits helps to neutralize the aggressive effect of hydrochloric acid on the esophagus. Doctors recommend drinking a glass of natural apple juice. But before use it should be kept at room temperature for 30 - 45 minutes. Juice is more useful when burning in the esophagus than pulp.
With nightly attacks of heartburn, it is recommended to eat one small sweet apple. The fruit is quickly digested, relieves discomfort and does not disturb sleep.
Many people drink apple cider vinegar for heartburn. However, this is a rather controversial treatment method. After all, vinegar is a juice that has undergone strong fermentation. To use such a product is not worth it even for people with a healthy stomach.
Conclusion
If you suffer from heartburn, this does not mean that you should give up such a tasty and healthy fruit as apples. You only need to be careful and eat this product correctly.