Citric Acid, Orange Juice, & Lemon Water

PouchbroMember

I have been avoiding Citric Acid for months and months as I was convinced it was causing irritation/inflammation and butt burn however I am doing better with it now. I drink a glass of lemon water every morning and throughout the day and it has really been helping with digestion. I have also been drinking a fair amount of Orange Juice. I realize that many of you steer FAR FAR away from Orange Juice however I strongly believe that the acids help us J pouchers break down food better! Has anyone else had expereince with Citric Acid, Lemon Water, or Orange Juice? I have had only mild butt burn lately. It is tricky because Citric Acid seems to be in almost EVERYTHING nowadays! The scary part is that days before I had my final UC flare I drank a HUGE glass of Fresh Squeezed orange juice. Since our colon absorbs acids and break down foods I really think the juices help with digestion. Also Apple Cider Vinegar has done wonders for me lately.

2/19/193:15 PM

❤️ 0

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

CTBarristerMember

What causes butt burn isn’t excessive acidity, but excessive alkalinity of the stool after takedown. In most cases the pH level will adjust months or even up to a year after getting the J Pouch.

There is a tendency by many posters to make random conclusions about causation of various symptoms that are based on purely circumstantial evidence. I do believe that butt burn can be worsened by certain foods or drinks and one should exercise caution, but the underlying problem isn’t related to diet but rather the initial inability of the new J Pouch to effectively adjust the pH of the stool, which it slowly learns to do over the course of time. Once that happens you can drink a gallon of Orange Juice and you will not have butt burn. Although acid reflux is another story and I do get acid reflux from OJ especially if I drink a large glass of it.

2/19/193:28 PM