Foods That Cause Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a common health problem for many people. Acid reflux is often accompanied by heartburn and acidity. It can be caused due to various reasons. Unhealthy lifestyle, bad habits and an improper diet can lead to the formation of acid reflux.

What is acid reflux?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition where the stomach contents like foods and liquids are flown back from the stomach to the esophagus. GERD can often cause acidity and heartburn.

Causes of acid reflux

There are many causes of acid reflux. LES are muscle fibers that blocks the foods and liquids from returning back to esophagus (food pipe). If the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) muscles doesn't close the food or liquid after it passes into the stomach, acid reflux occurs. Other causes can be acid rich foods, alkaline foods, alcohol, smoking, obesity, pregnancy and caffeine.

There are many ways to treat acid reflux. But, you need to change your lifestyle and follow a GERD diet. Even changes in your sleeping routine is required. Sleeping late is one of the major causes of acid reflux and gag reflex. Gag reflex is a condition where you vomit a bitter and sour water in the morning while brushing. There are few foods that cause heartburn acid reflux. If you want to treat acid reflux and cure heartburn problems, avoid these problematic foods especially in the night time.

Spicy food 

If you love to eat spicy foods, you have to exclude or reduce the spices in your dish. Spicy foods can easily cause acid reflux and heartburn.

Chocolates

 It is definitely a sad news for chocolate lovers! Chocolates are rich in fats, caffeine and cocoa. These three ingredients are major causes of acid reflux.

Carbonated drinks

 Soda can help you get relief after a heavy meal. However, the bubbles of carbonated drinks expand in the stomach. This increases pressure and leads to reflux. Avoid sodas and other carbonated drinks that are rich in caffeine and acidic.

Fried food 

Fried foods are not only difficult to digest but also cause acid reflux and heartburn. Fried foods are heavy in trans-fats. They digest slowly thus leaving many acids behind, that can return back into the esophagus.

Meat

 Meat is very tough to digest. High trans-fat meat can be worse for digestion. When compared to juicy steaks, less fatty meat like fish, lean chicken, turkey produce less acid.

Milk 

Drinking a glass of chilled raw milk can provide instant relief from heartburn. However, having a glass of milk after a heavy meal is worse!

Cheese

 If you have a fetish towards cheesy bites, avoid it to the fullest. High fat cheese and butter are foods that can cause acid reflux.

Alcohol 

Alcohol like beer and wine can cause acid reflux. To treat the condition, avoid such acidic beverages. Wine is healthy so you can have a glass sometimes. However, avoid mixing it with citrus or acidic drinks like orange or pineapple juice.

Coffee

 Drinking a cup of coffee can relief headache and prevent you from feeling lousy. However, it is a rich source of caffeine. Caffeine is one of the major causes of acid reflux.

Citrus fruits

 Citrus fruits are acidic in nature. So, avoid citrus fruits like limes, grapefruit, tangerines and oranges. These fruits can trigger GERD symptoms and worsen it.

Tomatoes

 Doctors advice GERD patients to avoid tomatoes. Tomatoes are technically juicy and acidic fruit that causes acid reflux and heartburn.

Mint tea 

There are many people who suggest mint tea to sooth acid reflux and heartburn. However, heartburn experts believe that mint tea causes acid reflux and heartburn.