How can you identify acid reflux-causing foods in your diet

Acid reflux problem often tends to hamper our everyday smooth functioning by making us experience acidity and other symptoms such as bloating, stomach gas, heartburn and stomach ache. This situation of creation of excess acid in stomach happens due to multiple reasons that disturb the normal digestive process of the body where the oesophagus relaxes inappropriately. Generally, the oesophagus opens to allow the food to pass through it smoothly and closes to prevent any juices from flowing back into it, but when the oesophagus is weakened, this functioning is disturbed leading to acidity and related problems.

Amongst several causes of acid reflux, the prime is the food we eat. The type of food mainly consumed affects the acid in the stomach. Hence, it is critical to know what kind of foods in your diet cause acid-reflux.

High-fat foods: High-fat foods such as avocados, cheese and nuts can cause acidity symptoms because these cause the lower oesophagal sphincter (LES) - a muscle that separates the stomach and oesophagus - to relax, leading to the formation of stomach acid and heartburn. Moreover, these foods release a hormone called cholecystokinin that also causes the LES to relax.

Citrus Juices: Juices of citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit can cause immediate acidity and troubling symptoms.

Chocolate: Chocolate is another powerful trigger for acidity in the stomach. Chocolate causes the lower oesophagal sphincter (LES) to relax, which causes the acid in the stomach to flow back into the oesophagus. Moreover, chocolate contains a compound known as serotonin - a happy hormone that again has a relaxing effect on the LES, causing the acid in the stomach to flow back into the oesophagus.

Spicy Food: Food that has a high content of spices can cause acidity and severe symptoms because of the presence of a compound called capsaicin that slows the digestion process, making the food sit longer in the stomach and creating heartburn and acidity. Further, the intake of spicy food items can worsen acidity and symptoms by irritating the inflamed oesophagus.

Onions: Onions are another food item that can cause acidity; especially raw onions can be very acidic because they like another acidity- causing foods to result inappropriate relaxing for the LES. Additionally, onions are rich in fermentable fibre that can lead to belching, which further aggravates acidity symptoms.

All these foods can cause acidity symptoms and thus must be avoided to minimise problems and discomfort caused due to acidity. In case of immediate relief, keep Natural Varients handy. Their Varients are available in all flavours and contain digestive properties that help calm the stomach muscles and reduce acidity.