Foods That Cause Heartburn

Heartburn evokes a frightening feeling. In order for you to prevent the heartburn it is important that you avoid the causes that contribute to it.

When suffering from heartburn it is important to consult a doctor. He might recommend some medications to deal with the heartburn. But aside from the medication, there are ways to lessen if not totally cure acid reflux.

Doctors now suggest that heartburn sufferers keep a daily food diary, so they are able to identify the foods that trigger the burning sensation. They are to log their daily intake of foods. Once a list of common triggers has been identified, start eliminating foods one by one and try to develop a list of safe foods.

Here are some foods that bring about the flaring up of gastric contents. Try to avoid them and you won’t be worrying about that uncomfortable fiery feeling.

Citrus fruits

Fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons are well known highly acidic foods. As a result of being acidic, they are likely to cause heartburn, most especially when ingested on an empty stomach.

Tomatoes

These lycopene-rich food is also highly acidic although they have subtle sweetness that is complemented by a slightly bitter and acidic taste. The acidity is likely to cause flare ups in those who are prone to it.

Garlic and Onion

Some people do not do well with either garlic or onion. Although they are known to be very beneficial to health, they can also cause that fiery feeling. These herbs which are members of the lily or Allium family, also contain Vitamin C which can cause gastric contents to slip up the esophagus.

Spicy foods

You may notice that you only experience heartburn after eating Mexican or Indian foods. This is because their cuisine is mainly spicy. Pepper, curry, chili, and any other food that is loaded with pepper or other spices can trigger heartburn. If these spices cause heartburn, avoid it. Slowly reintroduce milder versions of these in your food.

Caffeine

Caffeine-laden foods or beverages like coffee, soda, iced tea, tea, and energy drinks are big offenders. But coffee lovers don’t fret; you are not totally to get rid of this. You just have to cut down your usual intake.

Pay attention on portion sizes. An order of Starbucks tall, which is their version of small, is like three cups of coffee already. If you order two of it, that’s like six cups of coffee a day. Heartburn is a big consequence if you guzzle down more than 6 cups per day.

Alcohol

Wine, beer, or your favorite cocktail can all trigger heartburn especially when taken in with a large meal. A glass of red wine may not be a big deal on its own. Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach might just be a double jeopardy to your stomach contents.

It relaxes the sphincter muscle that lay between the stomach and esophagus. This allows stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus.

Peppermint

Although it has been said that it aids in reducing colicky abdominal pain, the oil in peppermint is an irritant to the stomach in the quantity required and therefore needs wrapping for delayed release in the intestine.

Peppermint relaxes the gastro-esophageal sphincter, thus promoting belching. Restaurants usually take advantage of this effect by taking advantage of its use as a confectionery ingredient, which they then call “after-dinner mints.

Instead, skip the after-dinner mints — especially after a rich meal.
They may be good for your breath on a date but they are not so good if you are prone to heartburn.