HEALTHWATCH

If you suffer from acid reflux, you might want to try changing your diet. A US study has found that sticking to a Mediterranean diet – which means eating primarily fish, vegetables and wholegrains – and drinking water with high alkaline levels, can be as effective as taking commonly prescribed reflux drugs.

The patients participating in the study also avoided fried, spicy and fatty food, along with alcohol, soft drinks, coffee, tea and chocolate. When they ate mostly fish, vegetables, fruit, grains and nuts, they not only noticed a reduction in the heartburn symptoms associated with acid reflux, but lost weight and needed fewer medications for other conditions such as high blood pressure.