We often assume that eating healthily is the best way to ease digestive issues. But according to a new study from Iran, a higher-quality diet might not be the digestive cure-all it’s often made out to be.
Researchers set out to explore whether better adherence to the Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS) – a measure designed to track overall healthy eating – had any link to two common complaints: acid reflux and bloating.
What the study looked at
Using data from over 6,200 Iranian adults, the study analysed how people scored on the GDQS, a dietary index that gives higher points for eating things like fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains, and fewer points for consuming processed foods and sugary drinks.
Participants also completed questionnaires about their digestive symptoms – specifically, whether they experienced GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) symptoms like heartburn or flatulence, defined as bloating or abdominal distension after eating.
What it found
Surprisingly, people with the highest GDQS scores – those most closely following a ‘healthy’ diet – weren’t any less likely to report reflux or bloating. In fact, the odds of having reflux were slightly higher in this group, though the difference wasn’t statistically significant. The same went for flatulence: no meaningful reduction in risk, even after adjusting for a wide range of health and lifestyle factors.
So, is a good diet pointless when it comes to reflux and bloating?
Not necessarily. The study doesn’t argue against healthy eating: it simply shows that a generalised score like the GDQS might miss some of the specifics that matter most to gut symptoms.
For example, while fibre is often beneficial, certain GDQS-approved foods like legumes and cruciferous vegetables can cause gas in some people. Others, like dairy, may trigger bloating in those with lactose sensitivity. Meanwhile, known reflux triggers like spicy foods and excessive salt aren’t directly captured by the GDQS at all.
In short: your body’s reaction to healthy foods is highly individual.
Why this matters for people managing reflux
This research highlights how confusing the relationship between diet and digestive symptoms can be. Even if you’re doing everything ‘right’ on paper, you might still struggle with heartburn or gas – because your triggers aren’t always the obvious ones.
How Peptest can help
A simple test can confirm if reflux is causing your symptoms or if something else is at play.
Peptest detects pepsin, a stomach enzyme that only appears in the airways if reflux has occurred. It offers a straightforward way to confirm whether stomach contents are making the way up from the stomach, even when classic symptoms like heartburn aren’t obvious.
Getting clarity on whether reflux is behind your discomfort could help you make more informed decisions about what to eat, what to avoid, and how to treat your symptoms more effectively.
Peptest detects pepsin — the stomach enzyme that marks reflux — in a saliva sample. Collected at home, analysed in our UK laboratory, results back within 48 hours.
- Results in 48 hours
- No GP referral needed
- UK laboratory
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