Your Reflux Isn’t Bad Luck - It’s Your Lifestyle. Here’s the Truth No One Tells You.

Its not very often a 98 year old mother can celebrate her sons 70th birthday.

Happy Sunday!

My weekends are always a time for reflection before we are off to the Fermentary to examine the last batch of beetroot and raspberry, before bottling tomorrow.

I have to say... I have a Beetroot Boost in front of me as I write, and can honestly say "in my humble opinion, there isn't anything better and more natural on this planet with such flavour and benefits it brings to your body."

One confusion we get from some of our 45,000 subscribers every week is an understanding about acid reflux, heartburn, or just reflux.

So I have written the blog below and referenced scientific evidence for those who want to dive a little deeper.

Reflux doesn't appear out of nowhere. It isn’t random, and it isn’t something PPIs or antacids can “fix” without consequences.

The truth is simple:

Reflux is overwhelmingly lifestyle-driven - and long-term relief requires addressing the habits that created it, not just the symptoms.

Tibico customers often report improvement when they combine our natural, lacto-fermented water kefir with better dietary and lifestyle patterns. But lasting change starts with understanding what reflux really is - and how your body is designed to function.

Why Your Stomach Is Designed to Be Acidic

Most people with reflux believe they have “too much acid.” In reality, most have impaired stomach function, weak LES closure, or poor motility - not excess acid. Your stomach is meant to be extremely acidic (pH 1.5–3.0) for essential reasons:

1. Proper digestion of proteins

Acid breaks down proteins efficiently; low acid slows digestion, causing pressure buildup that pushes upward (1,2).

2. Keeping the LES tightly closed

The lower esophageal sphincter closes in response to acidity. Low acid = weak closure = reflux (10).

3. Preventing bacterial overgrowth

Acid kills harmful bacteria and prevents SIBO-like fermentation (4).

4. Activating digestive enzymes

Pepsin requires acidity to work. Low acid = poor protein digestion (3).

5. Supporting downstream digestion

Everything from bile release to pancreatic enzymes depends on proper pH signalling (18).

Your stomach isn’t broken - it’s beautifully designed when supported, not suppressed.

The Hidden Problem With Long-Term Antacids & PPIs

Antacids and PPIs neutralise or suppress stomach acid. Useful short-term - but long-term they can:

• Slow gastric emptying and worsen reflux (6)

• Weaken LES signalling (7)

• Promote bacterial overgrowth and SIBO (4,9)

• Reduce absorption of B12, iron, magnesium, calcium, and zinc (5)

• Alter the microbiome (19)

• Create dependency and rebound hyperacidity (8)

Suppressing acid damages the very system designed to prevent reflux.

Understanding the Types of Reflux

GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)

Typically caused by a weak LES and increased abdominal pressure. Common triggers include UPFs, fatty foods, alcohol, soda, overeating, and stress (10,14).

LPR (Laryngopharyngeal / Silent Reflux)

Reflux that reaches the throat, causing chronic cough, hoarseness, lump sensation, and mucus (11).

Pepsin Reflux

Pepsin attaches to throat tissues and is reactivated by acidic foods - causing persistent inflammation (12,13).

Barrett’s Esophagus

A long-term complication of unmanaged irritation (10).

All forms of reflux are amplified by diet, stress, weight, and lifestyle factors (14–16).

Where Tibico Helps: Natural Fermented Support for Digestive Balance

Tibico Water Kefir is made from lacto-fermented fruit and vegetables, rich in:

• Prebiotics

• Probiotics

• Postbiotics

• Lactic acid

This naturally acidic (pH 2.8–3.8) product supports digestive health by helping:

✔ Restore a healthier acid gradient

Lactic acid supports natural stomach pH without suppressing acid (18).

✔ Discourage harmful bacterial overgrowth

Acidic, fermented environments help prevent SIBO-like overgrowth (17).

✔ Promote microbial diversity

A healthy gut microbiome improves motility and reduces inflammation (17,19).

✔ Strengthen gut resilience

Postbiotics support gut lining and immune function (20).

Tibico works with your digestive system - not against it.

The Question Everyone Asks: “When Will I Feel Better?”

We hear this daily:

“If I drink Tibico, how long until my reflux improves?”

The honest answer:

👉 It depends entirely on your lifestyle.

Tibico can support your gut, but it cannot overcome habits that constantly irritate it:

• Excess alcohol

• Soda/energy drinks

• Heavy, fatty foods

• Late-night eating

• Stress

• Inactivity

• Overeating

• Ultra-processed foods

When you address these triggers and support your gut microbiome, your digestive system often responds quickly.

The Bottom Line

Reflux is not random. It is the predictable outcome of repeated habits - and you have the power to change it.

Tibico provides natural, fermented support through prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics…But you create the conditions for healing through your lifestyle. Your stomach is designed to be acidic. Your gut is designed to thrive. Give it what it needs - and it will respond.

📚 REFERENCES

1. Feldman M, Richardson CT. Gastroenterol Clin North Am.

2. Hollander D. Gastroenterology.

3. Hunt RH, et al. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol.

4. Martinsen TC, et al. Scand J Gastroenterol.

5. Lombardo L, et al. Clin Nutr.

6. Freedberg D, Kim L, Yang Y. Gastroenterology.

7. Reimer C. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol.

8. Leonard J, Marshall JK, Moayyedi P. Am J Gastroenterol.

9. Freston JW. Curr Gastroenterol Rep.

10. Kahrilas PJ, et al. Am J Gastroenterol.

11. Lechien JR, et al. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.

12. Johnston N, et al. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol.

13. Hopkins C, et al. Clin Otolaryngol.

14. Ness-Jensen E, et al. JAMA.

15. Hershcovici T, Fass R. Ann N Y Acad Sci.

16. Kaltenbach T, et al. Arch Intern Med.

17. Sanders ME, et al. J Clin Gastroenterol.

18. Marco ML, et al. Cell Host Microbe.

19. Morelli L. Benef Microbes.

20. Rao S, et al. Nutrients.