It’s proof of how stubborn acid reflux is that acid reflux drugs are the most sold medicine on earth – even if their side effects can be fatal.
So, a 72% reduction in acid reflux from adopting one healthy habit should be tempting. And it’s free and convenient.
This solution was discovered in a new study in The Journal of Sport and Health Science.
Pooling data from 33 studies involving 240,850 participants, the researchers examined how lifestyle factors, especially exercise, influence acid reflux.
They also analyzed how different amounts and intensities of physical activity affected outcomes.
The results were striking:
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1. Lower Overall Risk: Regular physical activity reduced acid reflux risk by about 20%.
2. Stronger Benefits for Older Adults: Adults over 40 saw a 31% reduction in reflux risk, compared to 15% for younger individuals.
3. Smokers Benefited Most: Among smokers, exercise reduced reflux risk by an impressive 33%, outperforming the benefit seen in non-smokers.
4. Optimal Exercise Levels: 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week lowered reflux risk by a staggering 72% compared to a sedentary lifestyle. Benefits beyond this threshold increased only gradually.
The exact reason why exercise helps remains unclear.
Exercise may strengthen the muscles that keep stomach acid in place or improve digestion overall.