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5 Foods You Should Not Eat If You Have Heartburn And Acid Reflux

Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter that closes the stomach of the esophagus does not function properly and the stomach acids flow into the esophagus.

It can be triggered by smoking, obesity, waist placement or flexing, blood pressure medications, exercise and stomach abnormalities. Diet also plays a key role in heartburn and acid reflux.

There are several foods and beverages that can aggravate the tissues lining the esophagus or affect the ability of the lower esophageal sphincter to properly close and maintain the acids in the stomach.

In fact, health experts recommend keeping a close eye on your diet to identify foods that can cause your acid reflux.

Note: different people may have different triggers.

FIVE FOODS YOU SHOULD NOT EAT IF YOU HAVE HEARTBURN AND ACID REFLUX

-CHOCOLATE

If you like to eat chocolates and often suffer from heartburn, it’s time to say no to one of your favorite sweets.

Chocolate is bad for people suffering from acid reflux for three reasons.

First, it contains caffeine and other stimulants such as theobromine that cause reflux. Theobromine is a kind of methylxanthine that can keep the lower esophageal sphincter muscle hardened, thus directly increasing the chances of severe acid reflux.

Second, it is high in fat, which means it takes longer to digest and can trigger reflux.

-ALCOHOL

Any type of alcoholic beverage can contribute to reflux. Alcohol can relax the valve in the lower esophagus, which in turn leads to reflux.

It also stimulates the production of acid in the stomach and irritates the stomach and esophagus to make the condition worse.

A 2004 study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found that heavy alcohol use – consuming 210 g or more alcohol per week – is one of the risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Later, a 2006 study published in Food and Drug Therapeutics reports that alcoholic beverages commonly consumed as wine and beer induce gastroesophageal reflux in GERD patients.

-COFFEE

If you enjoy drinking coffee all day, it’s time to switch to some herbal tea.

Caffeine in coffee is bad for people who already suffer from acidity or acid reflex. It increases acidity in the stomach, causing acid reflux.

Coffee also reduces pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter, which can cause or exacerbate acidity in susceptible individuals.

In addition, coffee speeds up the gastric emptying process, which can help the highly acidic contents pass into the small intestine faster than normal. This can cause injury to the intestinal tissue.

Along with coffee, you need to avoid foods and beverages that contain caffeine, such as tea, soda, and energy drinks.

-TOMATOES

Tomatoes and tomato based products are best to avoid if you suffer from heartburn or GERD.

Tomatoes are rich in citric acid, malic acid and ascorbic acid that can irritate the stomach and esophagus.

Tomatoes trigger acid reflux

Once these acids are consumed, the stomach begins to produce too much gastric acid. This can creep up into the esophagus and cause an uncomfortable burning sensation in the chest.

Avoid tomatoes as well as tomato-based products such as ketchup, pizza with tomato sauce, pasta sauce and chili sauce.

-CARBONATED BEVERAGES

Soda and other carbonated drinks also cause heartburn and acid reflux.

First, carbonation bubbles expand inside the stomach, and increased bloating can cause reflux of stomach acids.

Secondly, soda is highly acidic in nature. When you drink such drinks, the volume of stomach acid can rise much higher, thus worsening the condition.

Try to limit your intake of any type of carbonated drinks to avoid acid reflux.

Source: themagicoflife