Are you one of the 60 million Americans that experience heartburn each month? If that’s the case, some of the foods you eat may be causing your problems. In this article, we’ll take a look at five foods that can trigger heartburn.
1. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruit juices have a high acidic content. This could be why they may trigger heartburn in people who are already dealing with this problem. According to research, both orange juice and grapefruit juice are among the common culprits. But scientists don’t yet know how the connection between citrus juices and heartburn works.
2. Spicy Foods
Spicy foods are among the top foods that can trigger heartburn. This is because they contain capsaicin, a compound that slows down digestion. These foods can also irritate the esophagus, which could make the symptoms of heartburn even worse.
3. Foods with High-Fat Content
Cheese, avocados, and nuts are all very healthy, but they also have high-fat content. According to research, they could enable stomach acid to enter the esophagus and trigger heartburn as a result. What’s more, these foods also stimulate the production of a hormone that slows down digestion. This means that the food will stay in the stomach for longer and may thus cause acid reflux.
4. Soft Drinks
Soft drinks are also among the foods that can trigger heartburn. Their effects are pretty much the same as those of high-fat foods. They relax the esophagus and thus allow stomach acid to enter. One study also found that soft drinks are among the main causes of nighttime heartburn.
5. Alcohol
Alcohol relaxes the esophagus and may thus cause heartburn. But excessive drinking could also cause permanent damage to the lining of the esophagus. This, in turn, will make it more sensitive to the effects of stomach acid. Moreover, beverages like wine and beer can increase the amount of acid in your stomach.
