Short Answer: Cottage cheese is good for acid reflux. Because it has casein protein, calcium, and selenium, and they can help neutralize stomach acid, strengthen the LES, and protect the esophagus from inflammation.
Acid reflux is a condition that affects your esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth and stomach.
In acid reflux, your body produces too much stomach acid or the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly, allowing the acid to flow back into your esophagus.
This can lead to various health problems, such as heartburn, regurgitation, chest pain, and esophageal damage.
One of the key factors in managing acid reflux is diet.
What you consume can affect your stomach acidity, which can impact your acid reflux symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage acid reflux, you should consume low-fat, high-protein, and alkaline foods like vegetables, lean meats, oatmeal, and ginger, and avoid high-fat, acidic, and spicy foods like fried foods, citrus fruits, chocolate, garlic, and mint.
Now, cottage cheese is a fresh cheese made from curdled milk and cream.
People usually eat it as a snack, a breakfast item, or an ingredient in salads, dips, and desserts.
Cottage cheese is good for acid reflux because it contains casein protein, calcium, and selenium, which can help neutralize stomach acid, strengthen the LES, and protect the esophagus from inflammation.
Half a cup of cottage cheese can give you about 14 grams of protein (28% of your daily needs), 125 milligrams of calcium (12% of your daily needs), and 11 micrograms of selenium (20% of your daily needs).
Casein protein can help reduce stomach acid production and prevent acid reflux episodes.
Calcium can help tighten the LES and prevent acid backflow. Selenium can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the esophagus.
Furthermore, cottage cheese is a dairy product and dairy products are generally good for acid reflux
Because, they can soothe the esophageal lining and provide a cooling effect.
You can eat half a cup of cottage cheese per day safely.
More than that can cause bloating, gas, or diarrhea, especially if you are lactose intolerant or have a dairy allergy.
Also, you shouldn’t eat cottage cheese if you have a hiatal hernia, a condition where part of your stomach pushes up through your diaphragm, to prevent worsening your acid reflux.
Because, cottage cheese can increase the pressure in your stomach and push the acid up.
You can buy fresh cottage cheese in your local market or can order it from online.
Always choose low-fat, organic, and additive-free cottage cheese.
Because, they have less calories, hormones, and preservatives that can trigger acid reflux.
You can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing acid reflux effectively.
I always recommend my acid reflux patients to follow an acid reflux-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.