9 Foods That Can Cause Heartburn

Heartburn can be an unpleasant situation that may lead to acidity, bitter taste in the mouth, and chest discomfort. The pain may get aggravated if you bend or lie down. Heartburn may develop after you consume some specific foods or due to overeating. While there are several cures for heartburn, but the most appropriate way to bring down symptoms and keep the condition under control is avoiding foods that may cause it.  

Heartburn has emerged one of the most common symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, a gastrointestinal disorder. GERD can occur when food in the stomach flow back into the esophagus. The situation may lead to burping, chest pain, sour taste in mouth, heartburn.

In most cases, stomach acids do not go to esophagus due the barrier between esophagus and stomach known as lower esophageal sphincter or LES. The ring-like muscle naturally remains closed and generally open when you swallow and burp, according to healthline. ¹  

Other factors that may raise the risk of developing GERD include obesity, smoking, pregnancy, excessive alcohol intake, intake of some particular medications like antidepressants or benzodiazepines, and delayed evacuation of wastes.  

Recently, Dr Saurabh Sethi, AIIMS-trained gastroenterologist and liver specialist, also educated at Harvard and Stanford, took to his Instagram account and highlighted the 9 foods that can cause heartburn and foods that can help with heartburn. ² Check the foods given below:

Foods That Cause Heartburn

1. Coffee: Dr Saurabh Sethi listed coffee as one of the notorious heartburn triggers as its caffeine calms the lower-esophageal sphincter or LES that causes stomach acid to backflow into the esophagus while its natural acids further infuriate the stomach lining. The beverage is naturally highly acidic that can directly aggravate an already inflamed or sensitive stomach.  

2. Alcohol: It can also cause heartburn by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter – the valve that can keep the stomach acid out of esophagus. Beer and red wine have emerged as one of the worst offenders that can potentially calm the LES valve. Sometimes mixed drinks combined with citrus juice can also irritate the esophagus. Liquor can also directly inflame the stomach lining and enhance acid production.

3. Tomatoes: They can also cause heartburn as they are significantly high in citric and malic acids that can boost gastric acid production and relax the lower esophageal sphincter. It permits stomach acid to flow upward. Tomato-based processed foods such as pasta sauces and ketchup are highly concentrated and can aggravate the symptoms.  

4. Citrus Fruits: They can also trigger heartburn as their high natural acidity can irritate the esophagus and cause the lower esophageal sphincter or LES to relax. These fruits also allow stomach acids to flow upward. Avoiding or reducing intake of citrus fruits can potentially reduce reflux symptoms.  

5. Chocolates: They must be favourite of many people but chocolates have also emerged as one of the major heartburn trigger foods. They can pose triple threat for acid reflux as they are high in fat, contain caffeine and cocoa. All of them cause the lower esophageal sphincter or LES to relax and allow stomach acids to move into the esophagus.  

6. Spicy Food: These foods cause heartburn as they contain capsaicin that can slow down digestion. The compound can irritate the esophagus and slow down digestion that can increase the risk of acid backing up.

7. Fried Food: Fried and high-fat foods may also lead to heartburn as the presence of excess oil slows down digestion process. This delay can cause foods to linger in the stomach for longer duration thus triggering the release of hormones that relax the lower esophageal sphincter or LES and let the stomach acids flow backward into the esophagus.  

8. Onions: Onions are major heartburn trigger as they relax the lower esophageal sphincter that allows the acid to flow backward. To avoid heartburn, you should try to cook onions thoroughly. Raw onions have become the major culprit and cooking can reduce the acidity. You may select the milder varieties of onions like white onions.  

9. Mint: It is often considered as a relaxing digestive aid but it functions as a primary heartburn trigger. Mint can relax the lower esophageal sphincter or LES that allows the acid to move backward into the esophagus.

Foods That Help With Heartburn

Dr Saurabh Sethi also listed foods that can help with heartburn. These foods include oatmeal, ginger, bananas, aloe vera juice, chamomile tea, fennel seeds, melons, chicken or lean turkey, and broccoli.

FAQs

References

1. healthline|9 Foods That May Cause Heartburn

2. Dr Saurabh Sethi, AIIMS-trained gastroenterologist and liver specialist, also educated at Harvard and Stanford|Foods causing heartburn

Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health or treatment options.