DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjmcr.2025.v13i11.023

Pages: 2757-2767

The hypothesised oxygen model for digestive reflux. Reflux of digesting food to the more oxygenated oesophagus /pharynx regions is triggered by refluxogenic foods like coffee and orange juice which are high in antioxidants that react with oxygen in the lumen to creating an inadequate supply necessary for aerobic digestion, resulting in gastroesophageal reflux. Several air swallowing and deep breathing events over 30 seconds, when reflux symptoms occur, increase oxygen supply and the probability that food can be aerobically digested as required, potentially reducing the number of reflux events and reflux symptoms, but excessive air swallowing can cause indigestion, bloating and burping. A case is reported where a patient, after using a tooth whitening gel containing the active ingredient hydrogen peroxide over 2 days, found the expected onset of postprandial gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (RS) did not occur. Oxygen in air dissolves in water contained in the gut lumen to form hydrogen peroxide and so the role of oxygen, rather than potentially toxic hydrogen peroxide, was investigated as a treatment for RS. Air swallowing can provide oxygen to the gut lumen and breathing exercises can supply oxygen from the blood to the gut epithelium. Air swallowing and breathing exercises (ASBE) were performed over 34 days and it was found a single ASBE session (3-8 ASBE over 30 seconds) brought temporary relief from RS over 1-2 hours. Up to 3 sessions of ASBE were required and resolved RS over 74% of days reducing the need to take antacid tablets. To understand the impact oxygen could have on RS, the oxidation potential for oxygen, calculated as mmol electrons /100 ml (2-3 breaths) of swallowed air was calculated and compared to the reported values for the antioxidant content of various foods. It was found that 100 ml of swallowed air has the potential to oxidize 1 serve of coffee, red wine or orange juice, known refluxogenic or trigger foods that can cause RS. Based on the find