Heartburn or acid reflux is a very uncomfortable, potentially damaging condition that involves acid rising from the stomach and irritating the oesophagus. There are numerous complications that can arise from this condition over time, but sometimes the best way to treat a condition is to avoid the triggers altogether. In this article, you’ll learn the top eight foods you should avoid if you suffer from heartburn.
Fried Foods
Fried foods are more difficult for your body to digest and they are higher in trans fats, which are bad for your digestive tract. They are heavy in more ways than one and slow down your digestive process, leaving behind excess acids that will rise up into the oesophagus. Fried foods can remain stuck in your digestive tract for a longer period of time, and this creates an increased pressure in your stomach.
Zantac heartburn tablets can help if you decide you can’t stay away from fried foods.
Processed Baked Goods
Brownies and cookies, while they are delicious, create an acidic environment in the stomach, especially if they’re the processed kind. Processed baked goods are full of preservatives and artificial colours, which can irritate the lining of the stomach. In fact, it’s better to avoid all forms of enriched flour and refined white sugar altogether, because they’re high on the list of causes of extra acidity in the stomach.
Coffee
While it’s the preferred morning beverage of many, coffee contains a high amount of caffeine. This elevated amount of caffeine in the stomach can lead to an increase in the secretion of gastric acid, leading to acid reflux.
Carbonated Beverages
Soda or pop, tonic water and carbonated alcohols can lead to an increased pressure in the stomach, which turns to an acidic response. Try drinking purified water at room temperature as an alternative. Also, stay away from acidic fruit juices before you go to bed.
Spicy Foods
Spicy foods do not help with acid reflux disease. You should avoid anything too hot or spicy and ask for mild when you’re in a restaurant.
Alcohol
Not only does alcohol increase the acidity in your stomach, but it also dehydrates you and can cause you to wake up during the crucial time in the night when your body is detoxing from the previous day. Therefore, alcohol actually causes poor digestion and acid reflux the following day, too.
Meat
Meat is one of the most difficult foods for your stomach to digest. Meat that is lower in fat, like lean chicken, fish and turkey, will create less acid. Thick and juicy steak is going to require more acid in the stomach and can cause reflux problems.
Dairy
A cup of cold milk can provide some temporary relief to acid reflux, but you’re better off going for water. Milk will eventually make you secrete more acid over time. It’s best to limit the dairy products in your diet.
When it comes down to it, avoiding the foods that cause your acid reflux flare-ups is a healthy way to manage your acid reflux disease or heartburn.
