There are many who “grant themselves a little sweetness before going to bed. Except that if we know that grabing a Nutella jar at 11:45 pm is not highly recommended, experts claim that even the consumption of a healthy food may include health risks.
Acid foods would be not recommended
According to Kyle Crowley, nutritionist interviewed by the Daily Mail, “Acidic foods such as citrus and tomatoes can push the stomach to produce acid, which causes symptoms of uncomfortable reflux, including stomach burns.”
However, the occurrence of a gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is anything but trivial: it can cause serious lesions of the esophagus.
“The acidity of the gastric fluid irritates the mucosa of the esophagus and can be responsible for an inflammation of the esophageal mucosa called esophagitis. If esophagitis evolves, other symptoms appear: a difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia), visible bleeding (vomiting with blood or hematemesis) or invisible revealed by anemia”, specifies the health insurance site.
In some cases, untreated reflux can even increase the risk of certain cancers – including stomach cancer. For all these reasons, paying particular attention to his plate is essential, in the evening.
Peppers, garlic, onions … are among the products to avoid
Alexandra Murcier, dietitian-nutritionist, shares the opinion of the expert quoted.
“Indeed, acidic foods like tomatoes or oranges … can exacerbate reflux in some people. But it is a question of personal tolerance: many foods can cause this problem, even though they are healthy: this is particularly the case for peppers, garlic, onion …”, details the practitioner.
To limit the risk of reflux, it is therefore necessary to:
- Fraction meals, “By avoiding making a very heavy meal in the evening“;
- Eat slowly, “Without forgetting to chew well to promote digestion“;
- Avoid snacking just before going to bed, and if you have to do it, “Try to raise your head with a pillow “ ;
- Put aside acidic foods in the evening (fruit juice, vinegar, very spicy dishes, citrus, tomatoes and tomatoes …) “As well as alcohol, tea and coffee, and fatty foods that take longer to be digested. “
“Conversely, bananas and yogurt have a soothing effect, so they can be favored in the evening in the event of reflux and/or if you need a snack”, concludes Alexandra Murcier.