Diet affects reflux in a rural African community

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Nutritional Science
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Reflux is noted to be more frequent and less acidic in South Africa compared to other regions.
• Dietary patterns are recognized as potential modulators of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between dietary habits and reflux parameters in a South African population.
• To understand how specific food components influence esophageal and gastric pH levels.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 57 healthy participants for 24-hour ambulatory esophageal pH-impedance monitoring.
• Utilized diet questionnaires to assess food consumption frequency.
• Employed statistical analyses including ANOVA and regression to correlate diet with reflux events and gastric pH.

Main Results:

• Milk consumption correlated with increased total, weakly acidic, and supine reflux, and decreased gastric pH above 4.
• Fat intake was associated with higher acid reflux and reduced time with gastric pH above 4.
• Fruit intake linked to more liquid-only and upright refluxes; maize meal associated with fewer rapid alkaline gastric rises.

Conclusions:

• Dietary composition significantly influences reflux patterns in this South African community.
• Normal reflux characteristics in healthy individuals can vary considerably across different global populations based on diet.