Impact of diet on gastrointestinal health in adults with Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v14i11.49922Keywords:
Gastroesophageal reflux, GER, Diet, Food, Symptoms.Abstract
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a common condition affecting numerous individuals worldwide, characterized by the backward flow of stomach contents into the esophagus, generating symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation, and chest discomfort. Diet plays a crucial role in modulating the symptoms of this condition, potentially either worsening or attenuating its clinical manifestations. The objective of this study was to investigate how certain foods and dietary patterns can impact the improvement or worsening of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in adults. This is a narrative review of the scientific literature, conducted through consultation of PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar databases, using specific descriptors related to gastroesophageal reflux, nutrition, and diet therapy. Articles published preferably in the last ten years, in Portuguese and English, were analyzed, also including some studies from previous years that were considered relevant. The results demonstrated that simple carbohydrates, foods with high glycemic load, acidic and citrus products, as well as diets rich in FODMAPs, are associated with worsening GER symptoms. It is concluded that the nutritional approach is an essential therapeutic tool in GER management, and food and nutritional education, combined with understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in this condition, allows optimizing symptom control and preventing complications, contributing significantly to improving the quality of life of patients with GER.
References
Akgöz, H. F., & Yeşilkaya, B. (2022). Research of Nutritional Behavior in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux. Bezmialem Science, 10(3), 290-298. https://doi.org/10.14235/bas.galenos.2021.6193.
Azer, S. A., & Goosenberg, E. (2025). Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island: StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554462/.
Bortoli, V. F., et al. (2021). Doença do refluxo gastroesofágico - uma revisão da literatura. Brazilian Journal of Health Review, 4(3), 14245-14253. https://doi.org/10.34119/bjhrv4n3-356.
Bryce, C., Bucaj, M., & Gazda, R. (2022). Barrett Esophagus: Rapid Evidence Review. American Family Physician, 106(4), 383-387.
Cheng, J., & Ouwehand, A. C. (2020). Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Probiotics: A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 12(1), 132. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12010132.
Chhabra, P., & Ingole, N. (2022). Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Highlighting Diagnosis, Treatment, and Lifestyle Changes. Cureus, 14(8), e28563. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.28563.
Clarrett, D. M., & Hachem, C. (2018). Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Missouri Medicine, 115(3), 214-218.
El-Serag, H. B., et al. (2014). Update on the epidemiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review. Gut, 63(6), 871-880.
Eusebi, L. H., et al. (2018). Global prevalence of, and risk factors for, gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms: a meta-analysis. Gut, 67(3), 430-440.
Gu, C., et al. (2022). The Effects of Modifying Amount and Type of Dietary Carbohydrate on Esophageal Acid Exposure Time and Esophageal Reflux Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 117(10), 1655-1667.
Gurski, R. R., et al. (2006). Manifestações extra-esofágicas da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico. Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia, 32(2), 150-160.
Herdiana, Y. (2023). Functional Food in Relation to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Nutrients, 15(16), 3583.
Jarosz, M., & Taraszewska, A. (2014). Risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease: the role of diet. Przegląd Gastroenterologiczny, 9(5), 297-301.
Kaufman, S. E., & Kaye, M. D. (1978). Induction of gastro-oesophageal reflux by alcohol. Gut, 19(4), 336-338. https://doi.org/10.1136/gut.19.4.336.
Komolafe, K., et al. (2025). Natural Products in the Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Mechanisms, Efficacy, and Future Directions. Nutrients, 17(6), 1069. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17061069.
Lakananurak, N., et al. (2024). The Efficacy of Dietary Interventions in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Intervention Studies. Nutrients, 16(3), 464. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16030464.
Lima, V. F., et al. (2024). Doença do Refluxo Gastroesofágico: diagnóstico, fatores de risco e abordagens clínicas. Brazilian Journal of Health Review, 7(4), 01-12. https://doi.org/10.34119/bjhrv7n4-172.
Morozov, S., Isakov, V., & Konovalova, M. (2018). Fiber-enriched diet helps to control symptoms and improves esophageal motility in patients with non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 24(21), 2291-2299.
Navarro, L. N. P., et al. (2023). Impactos nutricionais na doença do refluxo gastroesofágico: uma revisão integrativa. Scire Salutis, 13(1), 108-115. https://doi.org/10.6008/CBPC2236-9600.2023.001.0011.
Nehlig, A. (2022). Effects of Coffee on the Gastro-Intestinal Tract: A Narrative Review and Literature Update. Nutrients, 14(2), 399.
Ness-Jensen, E., et al. (2012). Changes in prevalence, incidence and spontaneous loss of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms: A prospective population-based cohort study, the HUNT study. Gut, 61(10), 1390-1397.
Ness-Jensen, E., et al. (2016). Lifestyle Intervention in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 14(2), 175-182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2015.04.176.
Newberry, C., & Lynch, K. (2019). The role of diet in the development and management of gastroesophageal reflux disease: why we feel the burn. Journal of Thoracic Disease, 11(S12), S1594-S1601. https://doi.org/10.21037/jtd.2019.06.42.
Norton, R. C., & Penna, F. J. (2000). Refluxo gastroesofágico. Jornal de Pediatria, 76(supl. 2), S218-S224.
Oliveira, L. T. S., et al. (2024). Doença do refluxo gastroesofágico - uma revisão abrangente sobre fisiopatologia, diagnóstico, mudanças no estilo de vida e tratamento medicamentoso. Brazilian Journal of Health Review, 7(1), 5487-5497. https://doi.org/10.34119/bjhrv7n1-445.
Paula, B. N., et al. (2023). Incidência e prevalência da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico no território brasileiro. In: Gastroenterologia e Hepatologia: Edição VI (pp. 18-26). Editora Pasteur.
Pereira, A. S. et al. (2018). Metodologia da pesquisa científica. [free ebook]. Santa Maria. Editora da UFSM.
Pereira, A. S., et al. (2018). Metodologia da pesquisa científica (1. ed.). Santa Maria: UFSM, NTE.
Pisegna, J., et al. (2004). Review article: oesophageal complications and consequences of persistent gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 20(9), 47-56.
Plaidum, S., et al. (2022). The Effect of Fermentable, Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols (FODMAP) Meals on Transient Lower Esophageal Relaxations (TLESR) in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Patients with Overlapping Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Nutrients, 14(9), 1755.
Rizzo, G., et al. (2023). The Role of a Plant-Only (Vegan) Diet in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Online Survey of the Italian General Population. Nutrients, 15(22), 4725.
Shaheen, N., & Ransohoff, D. F. (2002). Gastroesophageal Reflux, Barrett Esophagus, and Esophageal Cancer: Scientific Review. JAMA, 287(15), 1972-1981. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.287.15.1972.
Sharma, P., & Yadlapati, R. (2020). Pathophysiology and treatment options for gastroesophageal reflux disease: looking beyond acid. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1486(1), 3-14.
Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research. 104, 333-9. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039.
Wendl, B., et al. (1994). Effect of decaffeination of coffee or tea on gastro-oesophageal reflux. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 8(3), 283-287.
Zhang, M., et al. (2021). Dietary and Lifestyle Factors Related to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Systematic Review. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, 17, 305-323. https://doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S296680.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Fernanda Sulz Calderaro, Maria Cláudia da Silva
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
1) Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
2) Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
3) Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
