Expert warns of a ‘silent epidemic’ that puts men’s health at serious risk

While gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects both men and women, men tend to experience more serious symptoms and complications.

Studies show that men have greater exposure to acid and are almost twice as likely to develop Barrett’s esophagus, a condition that can lead to esophageal cancer if left untreated.

Esophageal cancer is up to nine times more common in men, making them much more likely to progress from chronic reflux to serious outcomes.

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Dr. Daryl Gioffre, gut health specialist, certified nutritionist and author of “Get Off Your Acid” and “Get Off Your Sugar,” spoke with News Digital about how acid reflux is becoming a “silent epidemic” among men and what they can do about it.

“It’s not just heartburn, it’s systemic inflammation that starts in the gut and spreads throughout the body,” Gioffre said.

“Acid reflux is the body’s alarm system, warning that the gut, metabolism and stress response are out of balance.”

‘The perfect storm’

Men today live in a “pressure cooker,” Gioffre warned. “Chronic stress, lack of sleep, processed foods, alcohol and overuse of medications are destroying gut health and digestion,” she said.

“Combine that with typical diets high in meat, alcohol and ultra-processed foods, and a greater tendency to ignore symptoms, and you’re creating a perfect storm for chronic inflammation and a higher risk of reflux compared to women.”

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Eating late at night, larger portions, less fiber and high caffeine consumption also harm men, he said. In addition to dietary choices, men’s lifestyles can also affect digestion.

“Many men skip meals, eat too quickly and rely on prepared foods stripped of minerals and fiber,” Gioffre said.

Over time, this “continuous acid attack” erodes the intestinal lining, drives acid upward and turns normal esophageal cells into precancerous Barrett’s cells, dramatically increasing the risk of cancer, he warned.

The biggest culprits of diet

When it comes to ultra-processed foods, Gioffre highlighted three specific components that worsen acid reflux: refined salt, sugar, and seed oils.

“Together, they inflame the intestine and weaken both digestion and the lower esophageal sphincter, the valve that keeps acid in the stomach, where it belongs,” he said.

“Men need to slow down, eat foods that support digestion and strengthen the gut, and stop relying on quick fixes.”

Men also tend to drink more coffee than women, often two or three cups a day, usually on an empty stomach, Gioffre said.

“That constant hit of caffeine flushes out minerals, dehydrates the body and increases acidity, all of which increases the risk of reflux.”

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Ultimately, he said, “men need to slow down, eat foods that support digestion and strengthen the gut, and stop relying on quick fixes. Otherwise, reflux will only continue to get worse and become more difficult to treat.”

Biological differences

According to Gioffre, there are some biological differences between the genders that contribute to men’s higher risk of serious gastrointestinal conditions.

“Men produce less protective mucus and saliva, the body’s natural defense system that buffers acid as it returns to the esophagus. So when acid reflux attacks, it hits harder,” he said.

“That acid burns and erodes tissue that was never designed to handle acid in the first place, setting the stage for inflammation, damage and long-term complications.”

Younger men also tend to have more visceral (abdominal) fat, Gioffre noted, which increases pressure in the stomach and forces acid into the esophagus.

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Hormones also play a role.

“Estrogen in women appears to protect the esophagus by improving blood flow and mucosal repair, protection that men have much less,” the doctor said. “Without levels lower than those in women, the tissue where reflux reaches does not recover as quickly from repeated exposure to acid.”

7 things to start doing right now

Gioffre recommends that men take the following simple steps to start reducing their risk right away.

No. 1: Stop eating three hours before bedtime

“One of the biggest and most overlooked causes of acid reflux is eating too close to bedtime,” Gioffre said. “When you lie down after a meal, gravity no longer helps keep the acid in the stomach where it belongs, so it’s much easier for it to go up the wrong way into the esophagus.”

This is why reflux symptoms often worsen at night, he noted, “and it’s why so many men wake up coughing, choking, or with a burning throat, hoarse voice, or bitter taste in their mouth.”

Gioffre said it’s best to stop eating three hours before bed, which gives the body time to fully digest, empty the stomach and reduce acid levels before bed.

No. 2: Eliminate Common Reflux Triggers

Common triggers include garlic, onion, spicy foods, alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, citrus fruits and carbonated water, according to Gioffre.

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“All of this weakens the lower esophageal sphincter, the valve that keeps stomach acid in place,” he said. “Once that muscle relaxes, acid flows up, causing heartburn by inflaming and irritating the lining of the esophagus and throat.”

“If you want to cure reflux naturally, you can’t just change what you eat; you have to change the way you live.”

The doctor also recommends adding back alkaline minerals, digestive enzymes, and a high-quality probiotic. Some examples of alkaline-rich foods include leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, and mineral water or spring water.

No. 3: Stay hydrated

Gioffre recommends starting your morning with warm lemon water and a teaspoon of local honey or a slippery elm tea.

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“This helps soothe and calm the upper gastrointestinal tract and relieve reflux,” he said. It’s also important to stay hydrated throughout the day, the doctor added.

No. 4: Stay strong

Simple grounding practices, such as walking barefoot on the grass, breathing deeply, or simply getting outside to reconnect with nature, can help promote gut health.

“These activate your parasympathetic ‘rest and digest’ system, calm your gut and keep acid levels in check naturally,” Gioffre said. “Get out and move after meals, and swap your nighttime snack for deep breathing or stretching.”

No. 5: Manage stress and sleep

When men don’t sleep well, the body produces more cortisol, which is the main stress hormone.

“High cortisol keeps you stuck in a constant state of fight or flight, and when you’re in that mode, your body isn’t focused on resting, digesting or repairing, but rather surviving,” Gioffre said.

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In this state, blood flow is withdrawn from the intestine and sent to the muscles and brain, he noted, meaning digestion slows, stomach acid production decreases, and food stays in the stomach for too long, causing bloating, gas, and more reflux.

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“If you want to cure reflux naturally, you can’t just change what you eat; you have to change the way you live,” Gioffre said. “Sleep quality and stress management are non-negotiable if you want to restore your gut and calm the acid at its root.”