Risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms related to lifestyle and diet

Apr 22, 2021Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny

Lifestyle and Diet Factors Linked to Acid Reflux Symptoms

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Abstract

Up to 35.5% of adults in Poland may experience symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

GERD is characterized by heartburn occurring at least once a week.
The prevalence of GERD varies globally, affecting from a few to over 30% of adults depending on the region.
Untreated GERD can lead to serious complications, including precancerous conditions and esophageal adenocarcinoma.
Lifestyle factors such as obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and lack of physical activity may contribute to GERD symptoms.
Certain foods and eating habits, including fatty and spicy foods, irregular meal patterns, and late-night eating, could trigger GERD symptoms.
The relationship between lifestyle, diet, and GERD risk factors is not fully understood, with existing studies often showing contradictory results.

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Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The most characteristic symptom of the disease is heartburn, which occurs at least once a week. The prevalence of the disease varies and, depending on the region of the world, it may affect from a few to over 30% of an adult population. It is estimated that in Poland this disease may affect up to 35.5% of adults reporting abdominal ailments. If untreated, the disease can lead to serious complications including precancerous conditions and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Pharmacotherapy is considered as the first-line treatment in GERD patients but lifestyle modifications, including diet changes, are an important element supporting the treatment of the disease. Many factors may contribute to the development of the disease. Among them, there are non-modifiable factors such as age, sex or genetic factors and modifiable factors, e.g. lifestyle, diet, excessive body weight. This review focuses on GERD risk factors related to lifestyle and nutrition that include both dietary components and nutritional behaviour. Lifestyle risk factors that may contribute to GERD symptoms include excessive body weight, particularly obesity, moderate/high alcohol consumption, smoking, postprandial and vigorous physical activity, as well as lack of regular physical activity. Many studies indicate fatty, fried, sour, spicy food/products, orange and grapefruit juice, tomatoes and tomato preserves, chocolate, coffee/tea, carbonated beverages, alcohol as triggers for GERD symptoms. Eating habits such as irregular meal pattern, large volume of meals, eating meals just before bedtime may correlate with the symptoms of GERD. The role of lifestyle, diet and eating habits as risk factors for GERD is not clearly understood, and the results of the available studies are often contradictory. Determination of modifiable risk factors for this disease and its symptoms is important for effective dietary prevention and diet therapy of GERD.

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Risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms related to lifestyle and diet

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