High-fat foods may cause heartburn, and
this includes incredibly healthy and nutritious foods like avocados, cheese,
and nuts.
It is important to note that this applies
not only to healthy foods that are high in fat, but also to fried foods and
fast food that are eaten outside and are high in fat.
Mint
Peppermint is often thought to calm
digestive conditions. However, there is some evidence that peppermint might
cause heartburn.
One study found that high doses of
peppermint were associated with symptoms of acid reflux. Surprisingly,
peppermint did not cause the esophageal sphincter to relax.
Citrus juices
Consuming citrus juices might cause
heartburn symptoms. For example, in a study of 382 heartburn sufferers, 67% of
participants experienced heartburn after consuming orange juice.
In another study of about 400 people
suffering from heartburn, 73% experienced heartburn after drinking orange or
grapefruit juice.
Chocolate
Chocolate is a common cause of heartburn.
And just like foods high in fat, chocolate can relax the esophageal sphincter
muscle, and this may allow stomach acid to escape into the esophagus and cause
heartburn.
Spicy foods
Spicy foods are known to cause heartburn.
They often contain a compound called
capsaicin, which might slow down the rate of digestion. This means that food
stays in the stomach for a longer time, and this is a factor in heartburn.
For example, one study showed that
consuming chili peppers slows the rate of digestion. In addition, spicy foods
may irritate an already inflamed esophagus, and this exacerbates heartburn
symptoms.
the
salt
Consuming table salt or salty foods
generally may increase reflux, which is a risk factor for heartburn.
For example, one study found that people
who added table salt to their meals were 70% more likely to have reflux than
people who had never added salt.
Onions
A common cause of heartburn is eating
onions, especially fresh onions.
Alcohol
Moderation or excessive alcohol intake can
also cause heartburn symptoms, and alcohol can lead to this in a number of
ways.
For example, it can relax the esophageal
sphincter, which may allow stomach acid to escape into the esophagus and cause
heartburn.
Coffee
Some people may experience heartburn when
drinking coffee. Coffee has been shown to help relax the lower esophageal
sphincter, and thus can increase the risk of acid reflux and heartburn.
Some studies suggest caffeine is the
culprit. However, other studies that looked at the effects of caffeine alone
have found that it may not trigger symptoms of acid reflux.
Soda and soft drinks
Soda and soft drinks are also a common
cause of heartburn. Research indicates that these drinks may relax the
esophageal sphincter and increase the acidity of the stomach, which are two
risk factors for heartburn.
the
milk
People usually take milk to treat
heartburn. However, consuming whole milk may cause symptoms, not relieve them.
In fact, research indicates that whole milk
may increase gastric acid secretion, which is a risk factor for heartburn.
