Food and drinks you should avoid if you suffer from acid reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), commonly known as heartburn is characterized by a burning pain in the lower part of the chest. It occurs due to a phenomenon called acid reflux, which takes place in the stomach leading to the backward flow of the acidic juices into the esophagus, which in turn causes a burning sensation. Moreover, these juices contain hydrochloric acid which is very strong acid that the esophagus cannot endure.  This can damage the lining of esophagus leading to severe illnesses such as throat cancer. 

There are a lot of factors which can be the host of acid reflex including smoking, pregnancy, lack of physical activities, stomach abnormalities, poor eating habits or lifestyle changes, which mainly differ from person to person. As prevention is better than cure, it is better to focus on the factors that will help avoid the occurrence of heartburn. Studies have shown that consumption of certain food items and beverages can trigger acid refluxes. Here are some food and drinks you must stay away from if you frequently suffer acid reflux issues.

Fatty substances

Food items which are enriched with fats such as burgers, pizzas, fries, ice cream, chocolates etc. are only not hard to digest but also take a lot of time to breakdown. They release the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK), which in turn increases the pressure on the esophageal sphincter. These items can stimulate the risk of reflux and cause pain and heat burns. 

Citrus fruits

Fruits like lemon, orange, tomatoes, and grapes contain huge amounts of acids which lead to inflammation and irritation in the esophageal lining. This aggravates the possibilities of acid reflux. Studies have proved that out of 400 people. Around 300 have suffered from heartburns caused due to consumption of citrus juices.

Spicy food

The presence of the chemical, capsaicin in spicy food slows down the process of digestion and increases the probability of acid reflux. Along with this, higher consumption of salt can also increase the chances of the same. However, this is most common with people who have a low tolerance towards spicy food items.

Onions and Garlic

These food items contain high quantities of fermentable fiber, chemicals which can harm the digestion process and cause the belching. 

Peppermint and Chocolate
There is a myth that consuming spearmint and peppermint can soothe your stomach, but plenty doesn’t know the fact that along with relaxing the muscles between the stomach and esophagus, it also leads to the flow of acids back to the esophagus causing reflux. This is the same case with chocolate, however smaller quantities of it is tolerable. 

Other food items which have proved to be a cause of heartburns are meat such as beef, Buffalo wings, and bacon; avocado, cheese, mashed potato, and cranberries.

Caffeine

Many people have experienced heartburn due to relatively larger quantities of consumption of coffee and tea, as they tend to relax esophageal sphincter increasing the possibilities of acid reflux. Therefore, there might be no reason to eliminate it completely, but a reduction in consumption should be considered.

Carbonated Drinks

Sodas and other fizzy drinks can lead to building up of gases in the stomach and cause gastric distension which is commonly known as bloating. Similar to caffeine, it creates pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, thereby increasing the dangers of acid reflux. It has also been observed that many regular carbonated drink consumers experience nighttime heartburns.

Alcohol

Excessive consumption of alcohol, especially red wine can promote the chances of acid reflux as it can damage the esophageal and gastric mucosa in case of direct contact. Moreover, it can also cause various esophageal motor abnormalities such as peristaltic dysfunction. Furthermore, consumption of liquor can also enhance the symptoms leading to an increase in the probability of esophageal cancer. The more you drink, the worse becomes the problem. Also, when combined with smoking, the chances become more prominent than ever.

Milk

Although this is not a common factor for causing acid reflux, studies have shown that out of 400 people around 150 people who consume milk regularly have experienced heartburn due to it. It is mostly due to the fat content in the milk. Thus, it is suggested to reduce the intake of milk.

Gas-O-Fast is a powerful Ayurvedic medicine when it comes to solving problems related to heartburn, indigestion, and acidity. It has proven to provide quality suggestions and remedies for quick and effective relief from the illnesses mentioned above. By incorporating the aforementioned recommendations in your diet and by reducing their consumption, you can save yourselves from the nightmares of heartburns and lead a healthy lifestyle.