The egg is a breakfast staple that everyone is acquainted with, but how did it all begin? When did eggs become the standard item served during breakfast?
According to food historians, humans have consumed eggs for approximately 6 million years, initially as raw food from wild bird nests. By 3200 BC, India had tamed jungle birds for egg production, and it is believed that Ancient Egypt and Historical China were the initial civilizations to domesticate hens.
For thousands of years, people have consumed animal eggs. The most commonly consumed eggs come from poultry, particularly chickens. Other bird eggs, such as those from ostriches and other ratites, are occasionally consumed but considerably less frequently than chicken eggs. The eggs of fish, amphibians, and reptiles are also edible. Roe or caviar are the names for the fish eggs that are eaten.
A defensive eggshell, albumen (egg white), and vitellus (egg yolk), all enclosed in a variety of thin membranes, make up the components of bird and reptile eggs. Both egg yolks and entire eggs, frequently used in cooking, store large quantities of protein and choline.
Previously, the Agriculture Department of the United States classified eggs as meat within The Food Guide Pyramid due to their high protein content. The cholesterol level, salmonella contamination, and sensitivity to egg proteins are some potential health risks associated with eggs despite their nutritional value.
GERD-Background
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a disorder that develops when stomach acid rushes back and forth into the tube (esophagus) connecting the oral cavity to the stomach.
This backflow (acid reflux) can damage the esophageal lining. Many people, all over the world, suffer from the disease but Middle East countries have more cases. In western countries, 10 to 20 percent of the population may have symptoms. It is probably because of the difference in their eating habits and dietary patterns!
Eggs and GERD
Until now, we have discussed a lot of food options with respect to their significance for GERD and today we’ll be taking about eggs and GERD. And if you are a fond of eggs but fear GERD then don’t worry, we’ve got a good news for you!
Whether or not Eggs cause Acidity and pH drop?
A freshly laid domestic chicken egg’s albumen and yolk pH levels are approximately 7.6 and 6.0, respectively. The albumen loses carbon dioxide when the egg is kept in the air, causing the pH of this fluid to climb to a maximum of roughly 9.5. The carbonate forms a significant amount of carbon dioxide in the albumen.
The pH of the albumen in the fertile incubated egg reaches its highest value in about 2 days; after that, the albumen starts to become less alkaline, and by the end of the second week, it is almost neutral. The blastoderm’s emission of hydrogen ions and growing tissues’ release of carbon dioxide is responsible for the albumen’s decreasing alkalinity.
The pH of the yolk gradually rises during the first two weeks of incubation to a maximum of around 7.5; after that, there is a propensity for the pH of this liquid to decline, and the yolk that is maintained inside the body of the hatching chick is somewhat acidic. On the other hand, the hard-boiled egg has a mild acidity (PH of 6.0 to 6.5) and the soft-cooked yolk has a PH of 7.
Since all the pH ranges are somewhere neutral, acidity due to egg intake is rare. In fact, eggs are rich in proteins and low in fat and cholesterol, and are often used as a remedy for acid reflux. However, in some people, white eggs lead to acidity which indicates that they may have egg allergies, which could result in acidity as a secondary effect.
It is thus suggested that those with severe stomach problems adhere to egg whites and omit the yolks because egg whites are slightly alkaline, and egg yolks are slightly acidic.
Choosing the right type of Eggs When You Have GERD is a Must!!
There are white and brown eggs available in jumbo, big, medium, and small sizes. Conventional, cage-free, free-range, organic, and enhanced eggs are among the popular varieties.
Before being graded, packed, delivered to retailers, and sold in grocery stores or to the food service industry, raw shell eggs are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. There are three primary levels in any case:
- Eggs of grade AA: These have the best appearance, with firm, thick egg whites and spherical, defect-free yolks.
- Grade A eggs are identical to grade AA eggs, except that the egg whites are only regarded as fairly firm.
- Eggs of grade B: The shells may be discolored.
All types of eggs can be consumed with GERD, but it is better to consume egg whites only as egg yolk aggravates symptoms.
Alternative Breakfast Solutions With GERD
Your dietary preferences can directly impact how frequently heartburn flares up when your stomach releases too much gastric acid. Here are some meals that can please your tummy and combine ingredients that reduce heartburn.
- For many years, whole-grain oats have been a popular breakfast option. It has a lot of fiber, which keeps you full and encourages regular bowel movements. Oats also neutralizes stomach acid and lessen gastro esophageal reflux disease symptoms (GERD).
- However, oatmeal can grow monotonous if you eat it every day, so try a hot cup of Cream of Wheat or some whole wheat bread with peanut butter to mix things up.
- Add bananas, apples, or pears as a sweet garnish to your porridge. These fruits’ fructose has a lower propensity than other sugars to cause acid reflux.
- Most teas and coffees with caffeine should be avoided as they can cause heartburn. Make a calming mug of ginger tea in its place. Ginger’s inherent anti-inflammatory qualities will help control the generation of acid. (See for more details: best teas for acid reflux)
- Vegetables are tummy-friendly and healthy because they are minimal in fat and sugar. Foods containing a lot of sugar or fat may be hard to digest and cause an increase in the creation of acid. Cucumbers, green vegetables, broccoli, green beans, potato, asparagus, and cauliflower are a few vegetables that help with heartburn.
Other possibilities for a quick and delightful breakfast include a vegetarian wrap or a veggie quesadilla, a baked potato with steamed broccoli, a combined green salad with fresh-cut veggies, and a light oil and vinegar sauce (apple cider vinegar is known to prevent heartburn).
See more on: Breakfast recipes with acid reflux
Watch before you eat!
Besides breakfast, you need to monitor you lunch and dinner as well. Make rightful choices for a happy stomach.
Use healthier cooking techniques like grilling, poaching, roasting, and baking to prepare food instead of pan frying or deep frying it in oil. Don’t make meat as your dinner’s main course. Enjoy the beneficial fats in nuts, seeds, avocados, and olive oil because not all fats are unhealthy. By swapping beneficial monounsaturated fats, you can lower your intake of saturated and trans- fats.
Eating patterns are also linked to GERD, avoiding late-night eating and reducing the amount and caloric intensity of meals are two examples of this. The early mealtime theory is supported by a few modest studies that show that early dinners are associated with a persistent rise in nighttime pH and a decrease in supine reflux bouts. The existence of food within the stomach when a person is prone, as well as increased gastric acid output with meal consumption, are suggested to be secondary causes of this observation.
Choosing sensible and healthful foods is one of the most excellent methods to manage heartburn, so keep that in mind. These symptom-reduction choices should give you inspiration and suggestions while searching for heartburn treatment.