Skip to main content
Log in

Curry Induces Acid Reflux and Symptoms in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Digestive Diseases and Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

There are limited data on the effect of curry on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Our objective was to study the effects of curry on GERD.

Methods

Symptomatic non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (NERD) patients and healthy volunteers underwent ambulatory 24-h esophageal pH monitoring before consumption of either 400 or 800 ml of curry; they were monitored for 3 h thereafter for changes in esophageal pH and upper abdominal symptoms. Selected volunteers were monitored similarly after water ingestion.

Results

In total, 25 NERD patients (23 males; mean age, 45 years) and 19 volunteers (13 males; mean age, 22 years) participated. In both patients and volunteers, curry ingestion induced more esophageal acid exposure than did ingestion of a similar volume of water. Curry induced significantly more esophageal acid exposure in NERD patients than in volunteers. Upper abdominal symptoms and esophageal acid exposure were more severe and persisted longer in patients than in volunteers.

Conclusion

Curry induced more acid reflux and caused worse symptoms in patients with NERD than in healthy individuals. Patients with NERD should be advised to avoid curry ingestion.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kang JY, Tay HH, Guan R. Chronic upper abdominal pain: site and radiation in various structural and functional disorders and the effect of various foods. Gut. 1992;33:743–748.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Yeoh KG, Ho KY, Guan R, Kang JY. How does chili cause upper gastrointestinal symptoms? A correlation study with esophageal mucosal sensitivity and esophageal motility. J Clin Gastroenterol. 1995;21:87–90.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Kaltenbach T, Crockett S, Gerson LB. Are lifestyle measures effective in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease? An evidence-based approach. Arch Intern Med. 2006;166:965–971.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Lim LG, Ho KY. Gastroesophageal reflux disease at the turn of the millennium. World J Gastroenterol. 2003;9:2135–2136.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Ho KY, Kang JY, Seow A. Prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in a multiracial Asian population, with particular reference to reflux-type symptoms. Am J Gastroenterol. 1998;93:1816–1822.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Ho KY, Kang JY. Prolonged ambulatory oesophageal pH and pressure recording in healthy adults in Singapore. Singapore Med J. 1998;39:295–299.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Milke P, Diaz A, Valdovinos MA, Moran S. Gastroesophageal reflux in healthy subjects induced by two different species of chilli (Capsicum annum). Dig Dis. 2006;24:184–188.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Ho KY, Kang JY. Esophageal mucosal acid sensitivity can coexist with normal pH recording in healthy adult volunteers. J Gastroenterol. 2000;35:261–264.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Dr Jennie Wong for her editorial assistance.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interest. This study was not funded by any grant.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Khek Yu Ho.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lim, L.G., Tay, H. & Ho, K.Y. Curry Induces Acid Reflux and Symptoms in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Dig Dis Sci 56, 3546–3550 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-011-1799-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-011-1799-3

Keywords

Navigation