Foods To Avoid For Acid Reflux: GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease is a health condition that occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach. The Mayo Clinic states that many people experience acid reflux from time to time. However, when acid reflux happens repeatedly over time, it can cause GERD.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, about 20% of the population has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic acid reflux condition that's diagnosed by a doctor. Although acid reflux can be treated with lifestyle changes, one should also be vigilant of the foods they consume to prevent acid reflux. Here are some foods that you must avoid to prevent acid reflux and promote healthy digestion.

Watch the video below about home remedies for acid reflux: 

Foods To Avoid For Acid Reflux

1. Coffee

Coffee is one of the foods that can trigger acid reflux. It has large amounts of caffeine and acid, which can cause heartburn.

2. Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits such as oranges, limes, lemons and others are high in citric acid, which can trigger acid reflux, especially when consumed on an empty stomach.

One should avoid consuming citrus fruits when suffering with acid reflux (Image Credits: Canva)

3. Spicy Foods

Consuming too much spicy foods can cause abdominal pain and lead to acid reflux. Most spicy foods contain a chemical known as Capsaicin, which not only makes the food spicy but irritates the parts of the oesophagus, which can result in acid reflux.

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4. High-Fat Foods

According to WebMD, high-fat foods such as french fries and pizza stimulate your stomach to produce more acid, irritating your oesophagus. Greasy foods also cause the LES to relax, making heartburn more likely.

5. Chocolates

Chocolates not only contain caffeine as their main ingredient but also cocoa and several plant chemicals that can trigger heartburn.

6. Peppermint

Peppermint can cause acid reflux and alleviate its symptoms (Image Credits: Canva)

Another food, peppermint should also be avoided for acid reflux as it relaxes the sphincter between the stomach and oesophagus, which allows the stomach to flow back into the oesophagus, leading to heartburn.

7. Carbonated Beverages

WebMD states that carbonated beverages can cause gastric distension, which increases pressure on the LES. One should not drink them at night, as they're known to cause nocturnal heartburn.

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8. Fried Foods

Fried or fatty foods such as burgers, fries, fatty meat and many others can contribute to acid reflux. These foods take longer than usual to digest and delay the stomach emptying, which can cause acid reflux.

 

(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.)