8 Foods that make acid reflux worse Chocolate — Everyone's favorite treat comes with a dark side; chocolate contains caffeine, cocoa, and plant chemicals that can all trigger heartburn. Also, a chemical in cocoa relaxes the LES, making it easier for stomach contents to leak into your esophagus.
"We found that the chocolate causes a large amount of serotonin to be released from the cells in the intestines," says Wei Ming Sun, Ph. D., research scientist, U-M Department of Internal Medicine. "The serotonin causes the lower esophageal sphincter to relax.
Ingesting cocoa can cause a surge of serotonin. This surge can cause your esophageal sphincter to relax and gastric contents to rise. Caffeine and theobromine in chocolate may also trigger acid reflux.
Chocolate is another common trigger for heartburn. Ingredients in chocolate like cacao and caffeine can relax the LES and increase esophageal exposure to acid ( 4 , 9 ). Many people report heartburn symptoms after consuming chocolate, and studies have shown that chocolate can reduce LES pressure.
For mild, occasional heartburn, over-the-counter medications such as antacids and histamine blockers can help relieve symptoms. Always read the product label before taking an antacid or histamine blocker and never take a larger dose or take doses more frequently than directed.
Yogurt that is not too sour is also excellent for acid reflux, because of the probiotics that help normalize bowel function. Yogurt also provides protein, and soothes stomach discomfort, often providing a cooling sensation. It is easy to choose foods by looking them up to see how acidic they are.
2. Bananas. This low-acid fruit can help neutralize stomach acid by coating an irritated esophageal lining. And not only are bananas alkaline, they're also rich in pectin — a soluble fiber that helps keeps food flowing nicely through the digestive tract.
Eating large meals or eating late at night. Eating certain foods (triggers) such as fatty or fried foods. Drinking certain beverages, such as alcohol or coffee. Taking certain medications, such as aspirin.
Milk and dairy products are high in fat and tend to make heartburn worse. When you have frequent GERD symptoms, like heartburn, eating high-fat dairy products like cheese can aggravate your symptoms. Furthermore, cold dairy products like ice cream can actually numb and inhibit the lower esophageal sphincter's function.
Chamomile tea is commonly used to fight symptoms of acid reflux and GERD. It's known for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to reduce digestive symptoms such as upset stomach. Consuming chamomile tea can also reduce stress which is a key trigger for acid reflux and GERD symptoms.
Acid reflux can cause a burning sensation in the throat and chest. Drinking water, low fat milk, and herbal teas may help manage it. Alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and sodas may worsen symptoms, however. Acid reflux, or heartburn, occurs when stomach acid flows up into a person's esophagus, or food pipe.
8 Foods that make acid reflux worse
Chocolate — Everyone's favorite treat comes with a dark side; chocolate contains caffeine, cocoa, and plant chemicals that can all trigger heartburn. Also, a chemical in cocoa relaxes the LES, making it easier for stomach contents to leak into your esophagus.
Foods to Eat on an Acid Reflux Diet
Noncitrus fruits: Apples, bananas, blueberries, and strawberries are safe bets.
It's a cool, creamy pick that can help fight stomach acidity. Dr. Sonpal says milk, ice cream, and yogurt are often used as a basic (on the acid scale) option to settle stomach acid and relieve discomfort—unless you have a dairy intolerance or allergy, of course.
Noncitric fruits such as melons, apples, pears, and bananas are less likely to trigger reflux symptoms. Bananas are especially good for neutralizing stomach acids because they are high in potassium and low in pH (acidity).
HOW DOES YAKULT- WORK? Yakult contains billions of live Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota, which can survive the strong acidity of gastric juice and bile in the stomach, reaching the intestines alive.
There are different types of blueberries, and the pH level also varies. However, the scale usually falls between 3.11 and 3.35. As a result, these fruits are classified as acidic. However, there is no danger in enjoying blueberries in moderation.
Yes, it's possible. Emotional stress can increase acid production in the stomach, aggravating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In people with GERD, the lower esophageal sphincter muscle (which acts as a door between the stomach and the esophagus) doesn't work properly.
Just like food, if you drink a lot of liquid, even water, this can put more pressure on the stomach and the LES and makes it much more likely for acid reflux to happen. Lower your liquid intake as you're approaching bedtime. Try to stop half an hour before you get in bed.