Short Answer: Peanut butter is good for acid reflux. Because it has monounsaturated fat, fiber, protein, niacin, and vitamin B-6, and they can help lower cholesterol, improve digestion, strengthen the LES, support the metabolism, and prevent blood sugar spikes.
Acid reflux is a condition that affects your esophagus.
In acid reflux, your body allows stomach acid to flow back into your esophagus.
This can irritate and damage the lining of your esophagus.
This can lead to various health problems, such as esophagitis, ulcers, strictures, and cancer.
One of the key factors in managing acid reflux is diet.
What you consume can affect your stomach acid production and your lower esophageal sphincter (LES) function, which can impact your acid reflux symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage acid reflux, you should consume fiber-rich foods like oatmeal, vegetables, and fruits and avoid fat-rich foods like fried foods, cheese, and chocolate.
Now, peanut butter is a paste made from roasted peanuts.
People usually eat it as a spread on bread, crackers, or fruit, or use it as an ingredient in baking or cooking.
Peanut butter is good for acid reflux because it contains mostly monounsaturated fat, which can help lower cholesterol and improve heart health.
It also has some anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can benefit the digestive system.
Two tablespoons of peanut butter can give you 7 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, 4.21 milligrams of niacin, and 0.17 grams of vitamin B-6, which are 14%, 8%, 26%, and 13% of your daily needs, respectively7.
Protein can help build and repair muscle tissue, including the LES. Fiber can help promote digestive health and prevent constipation.
Niacin and vitamin B-6 can help support the metabolism and the nervous system.
Furthermore, peanut butter is a low-carbohydrate food and has a low glycemic index, which means it does not cause a spike in blood sugar levels.
Carbohydrates and high glycemic foods can increase stomach acid production and worsen acid reflux symptoms.
You can eat two tablespoons of peanut butter per day safely.
More than that can cause weight gain and increase your intake of saturated fat, which can negatively affect your cholesterol levels and heart health.
Also, you shouldn’t eat peanut butter if you have a peanut allergy to prevent anaphylaxis.
Because peanut butter can trigger a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction in some people11.
You can buy fresh peanut butter in your local market or can order it from online.
Always choose natural or organic peanut butter that does not contain added sugar, salt, or hydrogenated oils.
Because these ingredients can increase the calories, sodium, and trans fat content of peanut butter, which can harm your health.
You can store peanut butter in a cool and dry place for up to three months, or in the refrigerator for up to six months.
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.