The Healthy Foods that Beat Acid Reflux & Diverticular Disease

05/26/25 • 28 min

The Eat This Podcast with Dr. Alan Desmond

Thanks to the standard Western diet and our busy modern lifestyles, gut health issues like acid reflux and diverticular disease have become so common that we almost accept them as normal.

In this live episode recorded in Washington D.C. with Chuck Carroll of The Exam Room Podcast, I break down what’s really driving these gut problems — and how the food on your plate can be your most powerful medicine.

We dive into the science behind gut-friendly diets, the essential role of fibre, and why millions of people are set up for gut issues by a low-fibre, meat-heavy diet. I also share a story from a visit to a U.S. pharmacy that made the connection between diet, disease, and drugstore shelves all too clear.

In this episode, we cover:

Why diverticular disease has become so common in countries following a Western-style diet
How fibre protects your gut — and how low-fibre diets increase hospitalisations
What you need to know about acid reflux and GERD — and how to treat the root cause, not just the symptoms
The problem with relying on antacids long-term
Why high-fat meals can make reflux worse — and the case for a high-fibre, low-fat diet
The gut health red flags I spotted in the pharmacy aisle
The simple, evidence-based changes that can transform your gut health

If you or someone you care about is struggling with gut symptoms — or just wants to support long-term gut health — this episode is packed with practical advice and powerful insights.

If you enjoyed this conversation then you’ll love: The Exam Room Podcast from the Physicians Committee.

Follow Chuck Carroll: on Instagram

Want more gut health insights? The Real Science Behind Gut Health And Food Intolerances - What Everybody With Gut Problems Needs To Know.

Updates and tickets to live podcast recordings: Join the mailing list
Connect with Dr Alan Desmond Instagram Threads X/Twitter
Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

Thanks to the standard Western diet and our busy modern lifestyles, gut health issues like acid reflux and diverticular disease have become so common that we almost accept them as normal.

In this episode, we cover:

Why diverticular disease has become so common in countries following a Western-style diet
How fibre protects your gut — and how low-fibre diets increase hospitalisations
What you need to know about acid reflux and GERD — and how to treat the root cause, not just the symptoms
The problem with relying on antacids long-term
Why high-fat meals can make reflux worse — and the case for a high-fibre, low-fat diet
The gut health red flags I spotted in the pharmacy aisle
The simple, evidence-based changes that can transform your gut health

If you or someone you care about is struggling with gut symptoms — or just wants to support long-term gut health — this episode is packed with practical advice and powerful insights.

If you enjoyed this conversation then you’ll love: The Exam Room Podcast from the Physicians Committee.

Follow Chuck Carroll: on Instagram

Want more gut health insights? The Real Science Behind Gut Health And Food Intolerances - What Everybody With Gut Problems Needs To Know.

Previous Episode

Smashing Your Fitness Goals as a Plant-Based Athlete

“You get more out of your workout when you’re fueled by plants. That’s the whole point.”

Today, I’m joined by two leading voices in plant-based fitness—Robert Cheeke, former champion bodybuilder, and Matt Frazier, ultrarunner and founder of No Meat Athlete - to explain why a plant-based diet may be the key to unlocking world class athletic performance.

Together, they co-authored the New York Times bestseller The Plant-Based Athlete: A Game-Changing Approach to Peak Performance and in this episode, they share everything you need to know to fuel your body, build muscle, and smash your personal fitness goals - with plants.

We discuss:

The science behind faster recovery and greater endurance on a plant-based diet
How to meet your protein needs—without obsessing over powders
What elite athletes actually eat in a day (spoiler: there’s no one-size-fits-all)
Why plant-based performance is no longer a secret weapon—it’s a competitive edge

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a seasoned athlete, this conversation is packed with actionable advice to help you train smarter, recover faster, and thrive on plants.

Get the book: The Plant-Based Athlete: A Game-Changing Approach to Peak Performance

Follow Robert on Instagram: @robert.cheeke

Follow Matt and the No Meat Athlete community: @nomeatathlete_official

Learn more: www.nomeatathlete.com