The Ugly Feeling Of Heartburn: Foods To Avoid

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) occurs when stomach acid leaks from the stomach and moves up into the oesophagus (food pipe). Having GORD is not an easy task, especially when heartburn surprises you during the day or even at night.

Although doctors debate which foods actually cause reflux symptoms, certain foods have been shown to cause problems for many people. To control your symptoms, you could start by eliminating the following foods from your diet.

High-fat foods

Fried and fatty foods such as French fries, onion rings, bacon fat, potato chips and cream sauces allow more stomach acid to back up into the oesophagus. Eating high-fat foods puts you at greater risk for reflux symptoms, so reducing your total daily fat intake can help.

Citrus fruits and Tomatoes

Fruits and vegetables are important, but certain fruits can cause or worsen GORD symptoms. Avoid highly acidic fruits like oranges, grapefruit, lemons, pineapples, and tomatoes if you experience frequent acid reflux.

Chocolate

Chocolate contains methylxanthine, an ingredient that relaxes the muscles in the lower oesophagus, thus increasing reflux.

Garlic, Onion, and Spicy foods

Eating a lot of spicy and tangy foods, such as onions and garlic can trigger heartburn symptoms in many people.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a known trigger of acid reflux. So if you experience heartburn and reflux after your morning coffee, skip it.

Mint

Mint and products with mint flavoring, like chewing gum and breath mints, also can trigger acid reflux symptoms.