Acid reflux is a condition in which stomach acid leaks back up into the esophagus. This can cause heartburn, chest pain, and other uncomfortable symptoms. There are certain foods that can trigger acid reflux, and it’s important to know what they are so you can avoid them. In this blog post, we will list some of the most common trigger foods for acid reflux and explain why they are problematic. We will also give some tips for dealing with acid reflux.

What is acid reflux?

Acid reflux happens when the contents of your stomach come back up into your esophagus. When you have acid reflux, you may have heartburn, stomach gas, and indigestion. You may also have a sour taste in your mouth. Acid reflux can be a symptom of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

Causes of Acid Reflux

Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), is a condition where stomach acid rises up into the esophagus. This can cause heartburn, chest pain, and regurgitation.

There are several possible causes of acid reflux, including:

-Eating large meals or lying down right after eating

-Eating certain foods that trigger acid production, such as fatty or fried foods, citrus fruits, chocolate, garlic, onions, and spicy foods

-Drinking beverages that can trigger acid production, such as alcohol, caffeinated drinks like coffee and tea, and carbonated beverages

-Smoking cigarettes

-Being overweight or obese

-Pregnancy

-Certain medical conditions like hiatal hernia, gastritis, GERD

Here are some foods that one should avoid if having Acid Reflux

Fried Food

Acid reflux can be exacerbated by eating certain types of foods. Fried foods are one such type of food. Fatty, greasy foods can increase the amount of acid that is produced in the stomach and can also relax the lower esophageal sphincter, which can lead to acidic stomach contents flowing back up into the esophagus. Foods that are fried include french fries, onion rings, chicken fingers, and mozzarella sticks.

Fast Food

Eating fast food can be convenient and delicious when you're in a hurry but it also carries a hidden cost - acid reflux. If you have acid reflux, it's important to know what fast foods to avoid as they can trigger your stomach.

Cheese

Cheese is a common trigger food for acid reflux. It is thought that the high-fat content in cheese can promote the release of stomach acid, which can then flow back up into the esophagus and cause heartburn. In addition, cheese is often high in salt, which can also contribute to stomach acid production. If you are struggling with acid reflux, it may be best to avoid cheese or at least limit your intake.

Spicy and Tangy Foods

Spicy foods can cause the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax, allowing stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus. Tangy foods are often high in acid content, which can also contribute to the problem. Foods that are both spicy and tangy should be avoided if you are prone to acid reflux.

Some examples of spicy, tangy foods to avoid include salsa, marinara sauce, BBQ sauce, hot sauce, chili peppers, vinegar, citrus fruits, tomatoes, and mustard.

Alcohol

This has a double-whammy effect. Alcohol relaxes the sphincter valve but it also stimulates acid production in the stomach.

Grapefruit and Orange

The high acidity of citrus fruits relaxes the esophagus sphincter and worsens symptoms.

Mint

Acid reflux symptoms can also be aggravated by mint and items flavored with mints, such as chewing gum and breath mints.

Conclusion

Acid reflux can be a real pain, especially if you don't know what to eat and drink to avoid it. We hope this list of acid reflux-trigger foods has been helpful in planning your meals and avoiding those dreaded moments of discomfort.

With our offerings in line with government-mandated prices, Maxlab offers full body checkup packages that cover an exhaustive list of tests for a comprehensive diagnosis of your health. Choose from a range of health test packages based on your needs.