12 Foods That Increase Your Risk of Acid Reflux
Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, brings soured food back up and causes a nasty burning sensation that travels from the chest through the throat and into the mouth, and it is not easy to handle. Although there are many medications that help to tame a reflux response, it is best to avoid eating the foods that increase your risk of acid reflux:
1 Meat
If you are suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease, switching to a vegetarian diet can help you forget about your disease for long.
More: 7 Tasty Foods to Avoid Before Bed
The high content of fats in meats, such as pork, lamb, and beef, triggers acid reflux and takes longer to pass through your stomach during the process of digestion. If you can’t stop eating meat, consider at least limiting its consumption to once per week.
2 Fried foods
Just like meats, fried foods, including your favorite French fries, boost your risk of a gastroesophageal reflux disease due to its high fat content. Even if you fry fish or meat with olive oil, it does not decrease the likelihood of heartburn.
Steaming and baking might be better options for you.
Read also – 6 Signs You Are Prone to Weight Gain
3 Coffee
Well, it is difficult to acknowledge and accept, but coffee is your enemy if you frequently experience acid reflux. Coffee and other drinks that contain caffeine are the big triggers. Switch to a herbal or green tea, or at least reduce your intake of coffee to 1-2 cups per day.
4 High-fat dairy products
Ice cream, yogurt, butter, milk, cheese, and any other type of high-fat dairy products are among the major culprits of heartburn.
Low-fat dairy products might sound like better options, but they can also worsen the symptoms of a gastroesophageal reflux disease. Again, vegan-friendly alternatives are the smartest ones.
5 Alcohol
Technically a drink, alcohol can also boost your risk of acid reflux. It “relaxes” the pathway adjoining the esophagus and the stomach, producing fiery heartburn.
Wine, liquor, and beer are great triggers, albeit any type of booze is to blame.
6 Carbonated drinks
The bad reputation of Pepsi and Coke does not stop people from drinking these carbonated drinks. Maybe they will not feel any side effects, but if you are experiencing acid reflux, be careful with them.
Carbonated drinks contain acidic ingredients that can cause heartburn. Plus, those funny bubbles expand inside of your stomach, stimulating a reflux response.
Read also – 5 Questions to Ask Yourself to Determine If Carb Cycling Is Right for You
7 Chocolate
I’m sorry, chocolate lovers, but if you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease, chocolate might be worsening your symptoms.
Theobromine and caffeine are the main stimulants found in chocolate. Cocoa has also been claimed as one of the beans that produce a nasty reflux response.
8 Honey
Honey is often called a soothing natural remedy, but it is still a concentrated sugar, and sugary foods can trigger heartburn in some people with reflux.
More: 8 Wonderful Benefits of Honey
Large spoonfuls of honey, especially when stirred into hot tea, lemon water or sweet desserts, can add to the load on your stomach and make symptoms worse. If you notice heartburn after eating it, keep honey to a small amount and avoid it late in the evening.
9 Melon
Honeydew, cantaloupe, and watermelon are usually gentle on the stomach, but they can still cause trouble. It is easy to overeat melon, and a very full stomach puts pressure on the valve between the stomach and esophagus, which can trigger reflux. Some people also find that cantaloupe in particular sets off their heartburn. Watch your portion sizes with melon.
More: 8 Amazing Facts about Watermelon
10 Tofu
Tofu itself is a low-fat source of protein, but the way it is usually served is the problem. Fried and deep-fried tofu soaks up a lot of oil, and high-fat foods are a common reflux trigger. Spicy sauces, garlic and onion that often come with tofu dishes can make things worse. If you love tofu, choose steamed, baked or lightly sautéed recipes instead.
11 Garlic
Likewise, fresh garlic is known to cause heartburn for some, though you may be able to substitute dehydrated or dried versions (garlic powder).
12 Onion
We know that painful, stinky onion burp from hell all too well. Onions, while nutritious, contain a fermentable fiber called fructooligosaccharides, which may relax the lower esophageal sphincter and increase reflux.
More: 10 Ways to Veganize Your Meals
When acid reflux causes you lots of trouble and prevents you from living an active life, it is time to reconsider your daily meal plan and eliminate the foods that cause heartburn.
