We know many spicy dishes contain capsaicin, a compound found in chilies. Capsaicin is thought to slow the rate of digestion, leaving food sitting for longer in your stomach which is more likely to lead to heartburn symptoms. Cayenne, curry powder, cloves, and black pepper can cause acid reflux2.
Spices, herbs, and seasonings: Stick to fresh or dried herbs like basil, parsley, oregano, or thyme, and avoid potent/hot spices like cinnamon, curry powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, or hot paprika. Mint, especially peppermint, can be a trigger for many people.
Spicy food
Too much paprika, vinegar and chilly can threaten the lining of the stomach and lead to heartburn. If you think spicy food triggers heartburn for you, then switch to a milder version of the same dish and see the difference.
Refined olive oil has a high acidity level, while extra virgin olive oil has an acidity level of less than 1.5 percent, making it the best choice in olive oils for those with heartburn and acid reflux. Like any other trigger, olive oil is not going to affect all heartburn sufferers in the same way.
Avocado: Despite being high in fat, avocados are rich in healthy fats, which can settle your stomach and prevent acid reflux symptoms.
While avocados are a very good-for-you food, thanks to its healthy fats6, if your diet is already packed with fat, eating high-fat avocados could bring about acid reflux (healthy nut butters may be a culprit here, too).
The high levels of monounsaturated fats in extra virgin olive oil have been found to reduce acid reflux and inflammation in the esophagus. Additionally, compounds found in the oil can help strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter, which is responsible for keeping stomach acids from flowing back up into the esophagus.
Foods to Eat on an Acid Reflux Diet
Noncitrus fruits: Apples, bananas, blueberries, and strawberries are safe bets.
If you suffer from acid reflux or GERD, you should also avoid spicy ingredients. This includes anything with chili peppers, hot sauce, and curry powder. Spicy foods can trigger heartburn and make your symptoms worse.
Saturated fats such as butter, cream and cheese, can be especially bad for acid reflux, so try to ensure that the fats you eat are healthier unsaturated ones, such as avocado or walnuts.
Your body needs fat to work right, but fatty foods can make GERD symptoms worse. So you'll probably want to stay away from things like butter or margarine. In their place, try a healthier fat like olive oil to see what might work for you.
Is pasta good for acid reflux? By itself or with little sauce and cheese, pasta shouldn't trigger acid reflux. However, specific ingredients and toppings can lead to heartburn in people prone to it, such as heavy tomato or cream sauces, lots of garlic and spices, and carbonara (cream, cheese, and bacon).
Low in fat, egg whites are easier to digest, so they may be less likely to trigger your GERD. However, egg yolks are high in fat, so may increase your chances of getting acid reflux. If you want to include eggs in your diet, you could consider removing the yolks first.
Some people with GERD find that the yolk of the egg aggravates their symptoms. The good news is that you can easily enjoy just the egg whites. To avoid butter and oil, eat just the white of a hard boiled egg. A light scramble in a little bit of butter or coconut oil is another option.
Is yogurt a good choice? 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.
Melons – Watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew are all low-acid fruits that are among the best foods for acid reflux. Oatmeal – Filling, hearty and healthy, this comforting breakfast standard also works for lunch. Fennel – This low-acid crunchy vegetable has a mild licorice flavor and a natural soothing effect.
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).
Foods That Help Reduce Acid Reflux
Root vegetables, like carrots and beets. Green vegetables, including broccoli, cucumbers or green beans. High-fiber foods, such as oatmeal and brown rice. Alkaline foods – which have a higher pH and are the opposite of acidic foods – including melons, cauliflower and bananas.
It can help reduce acid reflux or heartburn. It may promote blood circulation as balsamic vinegar is derived from grapes that may help prevent cardiac disease by preventing platelet build-up in blood vessels.
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.