Heartburn and acid reflux are two conditions that are closely related. In fact, it might sometimes be difficult to tell them apart, since they both cause a burning feeling in the stomach and chest. Moreover, avoiding certain foods can help minimize the risk of having both more severe acid reflux and heartburn. This article will discuss some specific foods you should avoid if you are prone to acid reflux and heartburn:
1. Fried and fatty foods
Fried and fatty foods are usually the most common cause of heartburn. Foods like french fries, burgers, and anything cooked in oil can create a build-up of trapped steam in the stomach, which can cause discomfort and heartburn.
2. Tomatoes
There is a strong link between eating tomatoes and acid reflux, which is primarily because tomatoes are highly acidic and can increase the production of a chemical called pepsin in the body. Pepsin is a corrosive stomach enzyme that breaks down protein, too much of which can cause heartburn.
3. Citrus fruit
Citrus fruit is primarily linked with heartburn because it is high in acidity, making it easy for pepsin to form in the stomach and cause more heartburn. Moreover, citrus fruits can cause the esophageal sphincter, which is responsible for closing off the esophagus from the stomach, to relax, allowing pepsin to enter the esophagus and causing acid reflux.
4. Chocolate
Have you ever eaten chocolate and realized that you had a burning sensation in the back of your throat? That might have been due to heartburn and acid reflux. Unfortunately, chocolate can cause acid reflux. Cocoa, which is the main ingredient in chocolate, can cause the esophageal sphincter to relax and caffeine and theobromine, which are also found in chocolate, can worsen acid reflux symptoms.
5. Garlic and onions
If you consume a large amount of garlic or onions regularly, it can cause heartburn and acid reflux. These foods are primarily linked to heartburn due to their high concentrations of sulfur. Sulfur can cause increased mucus production, which can, in turn, cause more pressure in your stomach, leading to acid reflux.
6. Spicy foods
Spicy foods—especially foods with chili peppers—can cause heartburn and acid reflux. Spicy foods, and chili peppers in particular, contain capsaicin, which is the chemical that causes people to feel a burning sensation in their mouth. Unfortunately, capsaicin also causes increased mucus production, which leads to more pressure on your stomach and causes acid reflux.
7. Caffeine
Caffeine is something that many people drink every day. It is also a common cause of heartburn and acid reflux. Coffee can suppress the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which will irritate your stomach lining if you have acid reflux.
While acid reflux and heartburn can be annoying but manageable, if you experience chronic pain in your chest, it is essential to see a doctor to make sure that you don’t actually have angina or heart disease.
