Drinking yogurt on an empty stomach to lose weight may cause gastroesophageal reflux

If you want to lose weight by "cleansing your intestines and stomach" with yogurt alone, you may be using the wrong method! Gastroenterologists pointed out that they have recently discovered that the number of young women suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease in their outpatient clinics has increased by 30%. After investigating the reasons, they found that most of them were caused by improper weight loss. In particular, many people like to use the "yogurt weight loss method". Drinking yogurt on an empty stomach for a long time not only has poor effects, but may also cause the esophagus to narrow and scar.

Doctors point out that drinking yogurt to lose weight can easily lead to acid reflux.

Drinking yogurt or lemon juice alone can damage the gastric mucosa

Dr. Wu Deqiang from the Department of Gastroenterology at Taipei Zhongshan Hospital pointed out that gastroesophageal reflux disease is more likely to occur in people who are obese or actively trying to lose weight, especially young women, who account for about 70%. It is common in clinical practice for patients to fast or use a single food method, such as yogurt or lemon juice, in the hope of "cleansing the stomach and intestines". However, consuming acidic foods on an empty stomach for a long time will cause the dieter to secrete too much gastric acid, causing damage to the gastric mucosa.

A 23-year-old young woman was admitted to our hospital a few days ago. She said that due to work pressure, she had gained 10 kilograms in weight in the past six months. She had tried many ways to lose weight but to no avail. She then switched to yogurt and soda crackers and lost 3 kilograms. Later, she simply drank yogurt. Unexpectedly, she began to feel a sour and bitter taste in her mouth and discomfort in her throat. Finally, she discovered gastroesophageal reflux due to burning pain in her chest.

Dr. Wu Deqiang said that no matter whether it is commercially available sugary yogurt or homemade yogurt, relying solely on yogurt to lose weight can make you lose weight in a short period of time, but because of insufficient calorie intake, you will often feel dizzy and hungry and find it difficult to persist, which makes it more likely to gain weight again and trigger the yo-yo effect.

Doctors remind people to avoid drinking or eating only one kind of food to lose weight, so as to avoid nutritional imbalance which makes it easier to gain weight again.

In addition, it is common to hear in clinical practice that patients believe that drinking yogurt can improve gastric ulcers or gastroesophageal reflux disease, but unexpectedly it makes the symptoms of stomach disease worse. In fact, there is currently no research evidence showing that yogurt can improve stomach diseases or gastroesophageal reflux. Moreover, if the yogurt is too sweet, it will stimulate gastric acid secretion and aggravate the symptoms.

Dr. Wu Deqiang reminds that young women who are prone to gastroesophageal reflux disease due to improper weight loss should avoid single food diet or wearing tight clothing. The most important thing is to have a regular and controlled diet, rather than just going on a diet. If the symptoms are severe, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

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