Acidity, also called acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux, is a condition in which stomach acids backflow into the esophagus, resulting in symptoms such as heartburn, bloating, nausea, and a sour taste
in the mouth. Though the usual culprits include spicy food, caffeinated products, and stress, the absence of a crucial habit in the daily routine of people is the lack of breakfast which equally contributes to acidity. We speak to Dr Aravind Badiger, Technical Director, BDR Pharmaceuticals, to undestand this better.
The Importance of Breakfast for a Healthy Digestive System
As a human being fasts for 8-10 hours overnight, the stomach starts producing acids in anticipation of food intake in the morning. When a person does not eat breakfast, these acids have nothing to work on and may irritate the stomach lining, causing conditions of acid reflux. Eating a healthy breakfast helps digest food while neutralizing stomach acids in the morning.
A regular breakfast also helps the human body’s circadian rhythms, where the digestive system works in synchronization with the metabolic rate. If this pattern is interfered with, such as when breakfast is skipped, it can lead to an overload of acids in the stomach, causing discomfort.
How Skipping Breakfast Triggers Acidity
When you skip breakfast, the empty stomach can lead to several effects, such as:
• Excess Acid Build-Up: The stomach will continue to produce hydrochloric acid, causing irritation on the gastric lining.
• Increased Gastric Pressure: The hunger will cause the stomach to contract, pushing the excess acids into the esophagus.
• Delayed Digestion: The inconsistent pattern of meal intake might lead to a reduction in the metabolic rate.
Further, it might lead to chronic health complications such as gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Common Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
• Burning sensation in the chest (heartburn)
• Bloating or feeling of heaviness
• Nausea or absence of appetite
• Bitter or acidic taste in the mouth
If the symptoms continue, then the breakfast routine becomes a concern.
How to Develop a Gut-Friendly Breakfast Routine
To avoid acidity, it is necessary to develop healthy and regular eating habits:
1. Take food within an hour of waking up: This is necessary to control the production of acid.
2. Take light and balanced food for breakfast: Foods such as oats, fruits, and eggs are easier to digest.
3. Drink water in the morning: Drinking water in the morning is helpful for the digestion of food.
4. Avoid caffeine in the morning: Drinking tea or coffee without food in the morning should be avoided since it increases the level of acidity.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While it is possible to control some level of acidity by making changes to your food habits, it is not a condition that should be ignored. In case of frequent problems like acidity, difficulty in swallowing food, and unexplained weight loss, it is always advisable to consult a doctor immediately. Even though skipping breakfast seems like a good option in order to match a busy schedule, it may also lead to a disturbance in the digestive system and result in acidity.
