Foods That Cause
Heartburn?
Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux which is a condition that occurs when acids and
stomach contents flow back into the esophagus. A person suffering from this condition will feel a
burning sensation in the chest, which can extend towards the neck and throat. Though the name
suggests heart related disorders, it is not, in any way linked to it. Heartburn is also caused by a lot of factors
such as too much intake of alcoholic products and smoking. Pregnant women, obese and asthmatic
patients are also prone to this type of symptom.
There are types of foods that are known to be good for
heartburn relief. However, there are also some which adds to the cause and aggravate the
digestive system creating unwanted symptoms. Some of the ones listed below are the major reason
for this occurrence. If you are currently suffering from acid reflux or have recently
recovered from the condition, these are the foods that you may want to avoid.
Chocolates
Research showed that eating too much chocolate increases the
levels of serotonin. These are released from the cells of the intestine which causes the LES or
the lower esophageal sphincter to relax. When this happens, there is a great tendency for acids to
leak and flow back to the esophagus, which then results to heartburn.
Fatty Foods
Foods that are high in
cholesterol are the number one cause of slow digestion in the stomach. Because of this, mixture of acids
and partly digested food stay in the stomach for long. When this happens there is a great possibility that some of
it will flow back up into the track, thus causing heartburn.
Spicy
Foods
Foods such as pepper, red
pepper, thyme, dill, onion powder, chili
powder and a lot other spicy products can definitely trigger heartburn. These are the types to be avoided
since the spice or the heat felt when eating spicy foods only adds up to the burning sensation and
may even aggravate the condition. Although not all spicy foods have the same
effect, it is still better to avoid it, especially if you have an existing condition of acid
reflux.
Acidic
Foods
The high level of acidity in the
stomach often is the major cause of heartburn or acid reflux. There are foods that are high in ph levels such as
citrus fruits, tomatoes, unripe
bananas, peppermint, raw onions, pineapple and
garlic.
Caffeinated and Carbonated Drinks
Coffee and caffeinated tea should
not be taken when suffering from heartburn. The caffeine content only aggravates the symptom and
increases the pain felt in the stomach and chest. Carbonated drinks such as colas should also be
avoided. A lot of these types increases the levels of acids in the stomach and irritates the esophagus when acid
reflux occurs.
Although not all foods and products have the same effect on
people, it is still best to be warned so as to avoid heartburn from getting worse. This condition must not be taken
lightly as there are chances for it to develop into more serious cases such as GERD.
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