Why does peppermint cause acid reflux

Background: Spearmint is commonly used as an antispasmodic and as a flavouring in several medications including antacids. It can produce heartburn, presumably by lowering lower oesophageal sphincter LES tone, but the mechanism has not previously been objectively examined.

Aim: To study the effect of spearmint on LES function, acid reflux and symptoms. Methods: In healthy volunteers, a Dent Sleeve and a pH electrode were placed in the distal oesophagus.

Surgery can reinforce or strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter. As with eating, when and how you drink beverages can make a difference in GERD symptoms. The following tips can help keep symptoms at bay:. By practicing healthy drinking habits and taking note of how your symptoms respond to specific foods and drinks, you can reduce your reflux symptoms and improve your quality of life. Acid reflux happens when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus. Learn how to prevent and treat it with lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery….

You can help normalize your overactive bladder naturally by avoiding artificial sweeteners, caffeine, and alcohol, losing weight, and performing…. Sore throats are a common symptom caused by infections or environmental factors. We help you out with the causes, treatments, and when to see a doctor. Acid reflux happens when your stomach contents rise into your esophagus. Learn which foods you should avoid to prevent reflux. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice DGL is a form of licorice that people have altered for safer consumption.

Here's what you should know about DGL and acid…. Many of the same things that contribute to gas also cause acid reflux. Learn how gas affects GERD and vice versa, and which foods to avoid. Learn about acid reflux and when you should see a doctor about acid reflux symptoms. Exercise is important for your overall health, but it can also trigger the symptoms of acid reflux.

Here's what you need to know. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. What to Drink for Acid Reflux. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Herbal tea Low-fat milk Plant-based milk Fruit juice Smoothies Water Coconut water Drinks to avoid Acid reflux and pregnancy Treatment options Takeaway We include products we think are useful for our readers. Overview If you have acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD , you may spend mealtimes avoiding certain foods and drinks.

Herbal tea. Low-fat or skim milk. Plant-based milk. Fruit juice. Coconut water. Drinks to avoid. Acid reflux during pregnancy. Treatment for acid reflux. Best drinking habits for GERD and acid reflux.

In this present study patients often had one large meal instead of dinner and supper, which could increase the occurrence of symptoms. This observation is in line with the biomechanical theory, according to which excessive lasting many years stretching of the stomach walls, e.

The association between large meals and heartburn has also been shown in papers by other authors [ 8 , 12 ]. These products cause or aggravate GERD symptoms by various mechanisms, e. Moreover, patients with GERD, more often than healthy subjects, ate tomatoes and tomato products, citrus fruits and juices, chocolate and chocolate products, and peppermint tea.

Some of these products may have contributed to their complaints. This issue requires further research. The negative influence of some of the above-mentioned products was confirmed in a Korean study, where products such as alcohol, bakery products, carbonated beverages, and caffeine-containing products were also enumerated as refluxogenic [ 7 ]. A positive correlation between high fat intake and GERD symptoms was confirmed by the research of other authors [ 17 , 18 ].

Several studies failed to confirm the role of a diet high in fat in triggering the disease symptoms [ 15 , 22 — 24 ].

Zheng et al. These results were also confirmed by our study. Dore et al. The present study showed that drinking peppermint infusion constitutes a risk factor for GERD.

Literature sources suggest that peppermint decreases LES tension; moreover, peppermint oil studied in animal models relaxes the smooth muscles of the alimentary tract [ 27 , 28 ]. Oliveria et al. In contrast, Terry et al. Taking into consideration the results of the present study pertaining to prevention of and diet therapy for GERD, it seems that patients should be recommended to eat at least 3 meals a day, preferably 4—5 meals a day, and eat dinner and supper at appropriate times instead of one, big meal in the evening.

Nevertheless, it is advisable to inform the patients that peppermint infusion is not always a recommended method of soothing stomach complaints. Taking into consideration the fact that study results regarding the influence of various dietary factors on the presence of the disease symptoms are often contradictory, it seems justified to develop individualised dietary recommendations for GERD patients to improve the effectiveness of diet therapy.

Financing of the study: statutory activity of the National Food and Nutrition Institute. National Center for Biotechnology Information , U. Journal List Prz Gastroenterol v. Prz Gastroenterol. Published online Oct Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer. Corresponding author. Address for correspondence: Prof.

This article has been cited by other articles in PMC. Material and methods A total of subjects were included. Conclusions Taking into consideration the results of this study, it seems that patients should be recommended to eat more than three meals a day and eat dinner and supper at appropriate times instead of one, big meal in the evening. Keywords: gastroesophageal reflux disease, dietary habits, risk factors. Introduction Gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD is a chronic gastrointestinal disease that significantly reduces quality of life and, in some patients, leads to serious complications, such as oesophageal stricture, gastrointestinal bleeding, or Barrett's oesophagus.

Statistical analysis Statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed using Statistica 10 software StatSoft. Open in a separate window. OR — odds ratio, CI — confidence interval. Discussion Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic disease of multifactorial aetiology, where both environmental and genetic factors may play a role. Conclusions Taking into consideration the results of the present study pertaining to prevention of and diet therapy for GERD, it seems that patients should be recommended to eat at least 3 meals a day, preferably 4—5 meals a day, and eat dinner and supper at appropriate times instead of one, big meal in the evening.

Acknowledgments Financing of the study: statutory activity of the National Food and Nutrition Institute. References 1. Gastroesophageal reflux among different racial groups in the United States. Systematic review: the epidemiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in primary care, using the UK General Practice Research Database.

Aliment Pharmacol Ther.