Can Eating Yogurt Help With Heartburn?
Heartburn is a common but uncomfortable occurrence. According to Mayo Clinic, heartburn is characterized by a burning sensation in your chest. Occasional heartburn shouldn't be a cause for concern, but it is still not something that most people want to suffer through. There are many things that can cause heartburn and one of those is what you eat and drink (via Livestrong). People with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may find that some foods trigger heartburn while other foods can relieve symptoms.
Yogurt is a food that can both cause and help with heartburn. Because this food is slightly acidic and contains fat, it can worsen GERD symptoms and increase the likelihood of getting heartburn after eating it. However, yogurt is also a probiotic food that contains bacteria that can aid the digestive system. Because of these benefits, some people may find that eating yogurt regularly can prevent heartburn and alleviate symptoms when it happens. Ultimately, whether or not yogurt can help with heartburn will depend on the individual.
Health benefits of yogurt
Whether you find it helps with heartburn or not, there are many reasons to add more yogurt to your diet. Yogurt is packed with good bacteria and can improve your gut health and aid with digestion (via Cleveland Clinic). These bacteria, called probiotics, also support a healthy immune system. Plain, unsweetened yogurt is a natural source of protein and contains lots of calcium. Protein is crucial for building muscles and keeping you full after eating and calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth, as well as nerve function. Regular yogurt consumption has been found to help maintain healthy blood pressure levels and keep cholesterol levels low.
To get the most health benefits from yogurt, avoid products that are full of sugar and artificial sweeteners. These can add extra calories to your snack that won't provide any nutritional value. You can sweeten plain yogurt with natural options like honey and fruit.