It is normal to experience bouts of acid reflux, for example during the occasional burp or after eating too much.
However, if acid reflux occurs regularly, you probably have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
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Whatever your diagnosis, acid reflux it is almost always worse after eating and certain foods and drinks can trigger horrible symptoms. That’s why at we reveal the 6 foods you should avoid to reduce acid reflux flare-ups.
1.- Alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol can cause acid reflux according to the NHS, so try to avoid drinking alcohol as much as you can.
Express Pharmacy noted: “Alcohol has been shown to relax lower esophageal symptoms, which can trigger heartburn.
«In addition to this, studies have shown that drinking significant amounts of wine and beer can actually increase the amount of stomach acid in your body, making heartburn more likely to occur.»
2.- Spicy food
Spicy foods can be delicious and good for your immune system, but they are one of the most common heartburn triggers.
Express Pharmacy He said: “My spicy foods contain a compound called capsaicin, which is thought to slow down digestion.
“Because of this, food stays in the stomach longer, which increases the risk of heartburn.
“Studies have revealed the risks of consuming spicy foods for heartburn sufferers.
«An Australian study found that consuming foods rich in chili powder decreased the rate of digestion.»
3.- Foods rich in fat
High-fat foods have been shown to increase the occurrence of acid reflux symptoms.
Express Pharmacy explained: “Fatty foods can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to escape from the stomach into the esophagus and cause acid reflux.
“In addition, high-fat foods can also stimulate the release of the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK).
«This has also been shown to relax the lower esophageal sphincter and cause acid reflux.»
Stay away from the following foods if you can:
- fatty cuts of meat
- meat products, including sausages and pastries
- butter, ghee and lard
- cheese, especially hard cheese like cheddar
- cream, sour cream and ice cream
- some salty snacks, like cheese crackers and popcorn
- chocolate confectionery
- cookies, cakes and pastries
- Palm oil
- coconut oil and coconut cream
4.- Tomato
Tomatoes are the main source of antioxidant lycopene which has a number of health benefits, such as reduced risk of heart disease and cancer, but apparently not good for acid reflux.
Fruit may contain vitamin C, potassium, and other nutrients, but it’s also very acidic, and this could be why it makes acid reflux worse.
This applies to fresh, canned, juiced products and all products containing tomato, so be careful with fruit if you’ve noticed symptoms get worse after eating it.
5.- Citrus juice
Citrus juices like orange juice, lemon juice, grapefruit juice, and lime juice can trigger symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux.
Pharmacy site says: “A Korean study found that 67 percent of 382 heartburn patients experienced worse symptoms after drinking orange juice.
«In another study, 73 percent of people suffered from acid reflux after drinking citrus juice.»
The problem could lie in the fact that citrus fruits are very acidic and when you drink them you have too much acid in your stomach, causing symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux.
6.- Caffeine
Coffee and other caffeinated beverages (tea, coffee and some energy drinks) have been shown to cause heartburn, again the evidence is inconclusive regarding the benefits of reducing, said Guts UK.
Express Pharmacy explained: “A 1980 study found that, like alcohol and fatty foods, coffee can potentially relax the lower esophageal sphincter and increase the likelihood of acid reflux.
“When it comes to drinking coffee, it really depends on your own personal experience.
«If you find that you can enjoy coffee without experiencing heartburn, there’s no reason to avoid it altogether.»