Dietary Intake and Risk for Reflux Esophagitis: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background. Specific dietary components have been associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Europe and the United States. However, the relationship between dietary components and GERD in Chinese still remains unclear. Methods. A total of 268 patients who were newly diagnosed as reflux esophagitis (RE) in Outpatient Endoscopy Center of Tongji Hospital were recruited. In addition, 269 sex- and age-matched subjects were also recruited as controls. The body measurements were determined, and the dietary intake during the previous year was evaluated using food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between nutrients and RE. Results. After adjustment for WC, WHR, total energy intake, and demographics, there were a positive dose-response relationship between RE and calcium, meat, oils, and salt and a negative dose-response relationship between RE and protein, carbohydrate, calories from protein (%), vitamin C, grains and potatoes, fruits, and eggs. Conclusion. High intake of meat, oils, salt, and calcium is associated with an increased risk for RE while high intake of protein, carbohydrate, calories from protein (%), vitamin C, grains and potatoes, fruits, and eggs correlates with a reduced risk for RE.

Foods Inducing Typical Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptoms in Korea

“…Although some studies reported that some nutrients and foods are related to the presence of GERD symptoms in Western patients, 10,12 there are no well-organized data regarding foods associated with GERD symptoms in Asian patients. In Europe and the United States, some investigators have shown that dietary fat, cholesterol, saturated fatty acid, dietary fiber, and other nutrients are associated with GERD.…”

“…In Europe and the United States, some investigators have shown that dietary fat, cholesterol, saturated fatty acid, dietary fiber, and other nutrients are associated with GERD. 10,12 They believe that both improved socioeconomic status and the westernized pattern of diet consumption may be associated with the increasing prevalence of GERD in Asians. 13 However, the currently available data do not support a strong relationship between GERD and dietary factors in Asians including Koreans.…”

“…6,7 However, there have been few attempts to measure the effect of specific food stuffs that might provoke or increase gastroesophageal reflux. Although several studies have reported that high-fat foods, spicy foods, chocolate, mint, and citrus fruits are closely related to GERD symptoms, [8][9][10] the daily consumed foods are quite variable according to race, geographic specificity, diet habit, and culture. The conflicting conditions may cause differences in food-induced GERD symptoms between Asian and Western populations.…”

Association between individual response to food taste and gastroesophageal symptoms

“…There is a possibility that the sensitivity to salty tastes is associated with the onset of GERD. The association between food and GERD has been studied during the past decades . Nilsson et al .…”

The Effect of Zinc Supplementationon the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease; a Randomized Clinical Trial

“…9,10 On the other hand, there are other surveys that have shown that there is no relationship between acid reflux complications and intake of zinc supplements. 11 Unfortunately, zinc deficiency is a frequent medical disorder worldwide, and therefore, it is necessary to know if its supplements could really improve the GERD symptoms. In this survey, we decided to evaluate the effect of zinc supplementationon GERD symptoms in patients who referred to gastrointestinal (GI) clinics.…”